Cucumbers "Funny Gnomes f1": planting, growing, and care

The Vesyolye Gnomiki variety is a hybrid parthenocarpic crop suitable for growing in greenhouses, hotbeds, or open ground. These cucumbers have a delicate flavor and distinctive aroma, are crisp and juicy, non-bitter (even when moisture is low), and are excellent in fresh salads. They are stored well, do not lose their external qualities for a long time, and can be transported.

Characteristics of the variety

This variety doesn't require insects for pollination, making it ideal for growing in greenhouses and hotbeds. Vesyolye Gnomiki is an early-ripening hybrid, with the first fruits appearing 38-40 days after planting. They have a cluster-type ovary (up to five flowers per axil). The bush will bear fruit throughout the growing season.

Description of fruits:

• cucumbers of an elongated cylindrical shape;
• the skin is dark green, thin and juicy, covered with small “pimples” with white spines;
• their size is relatively small, 7-9 cm, making them ideal for canning in jars;
• weight approximately 90 grams.

The bushes have a well-developed root system, allowing for abundant growth of lateral shoots and foliage. Therefore, it is recommended to prune secondary shoots above the third axil, and train the cucumber plant into a single shoot and tie it up.

Landing features

There are two ways to plant the Vesyolye Gnomiki variety: using seedlings or sowing seeds directly into the ground. The seeds of this hybrid are already prepared, so they require no additional preparation. Of course, to improve germination, it's best to let the seeds germinate. Soak them in warm water to absorb moisture, then place them in a warm place on a damp cloth or cotton pad for 1-2 days. It's important not to let the cloth base dry out.

For seedlings, seeds are sown in mid- to late March. You can purchase the soil for planting or prepare it yourself (a mixture of garden soil, peat, and humus), the main thing is that it is:

• loose;
• rich in microelements.

When planting seeds for seedlings, keep in mind that cucumbers do not tolerate transplanting well, and damage to the root system will kill the plant. The better the root system develops during the seedling stage, the healthier and more productive the cucumber plant will be. Therefore, select individual containers for the seedlings:

• peat pots or tablets;
• plastic pots with removable bottoms;
• even cups made from paper rolls.

All these tricks are aimed at preventing damage to the roots during replanting. In prepared containers:

• pour the earth;
• it is watered moderately;
• Place 1-2 seeds at a depth of no more than 2 cm.

The seeds can be covered with plastic wrap until germination (but this is not necessary if there are no drafts and the room temperature is constant). If necessary, the seedlings can be provided with additional light, as cucumbers are very light-loving and daylight may not be sufficient for proper stem development. If both seeds sprout in one pot, remove one seedling or try transplanting it to another pot.

The soil temperature should not be below 14 ^OC, or better yet, higher. The beds should be well-dug and fertilized. The standard planting pattern is 50x30 cm. In a greenhouse, 2-3 bushes per m can be planted.², in open ground 4-5, but not more often.

Cucumber seeds are planted in the ground when nighttime temperatures are consistently above zero and the temperature difference between day and night is small, which is typically in late April or early May. Otherwise, you risk losing the seedlings, as cucumbers are sensitive to cold snaps. Soil preparation is the same as for seedlings:

• digging;
• warming up;
• disinfection;
• top dressing.

When choosing a location, there are several factors to consider:

• the beds are not located in a lowland to avoid water accumulation;
• the soil is loamy, sandy loam or chernozem;
• the acidity of the soil does not exceed pH 7; if the indicator is higher than the norm, it is reduced by adding dolomite flour, slaked lime, chalk or ash.
• no drafts;
• well lit by the sun.

Care should be taken to ensure cucumbers are not grown in the same spot for more than three years in a row. Good predecessors include tomatoes, onions, cabbage, or potatoes. Cucumbers do not grow well in areas previously occupied by their relatives, such as zucchini, pumpkins, watermelons, and melons. Fertilize the soil in the bed with organic matter.

Further care

Although Merry Gnomes are low-maintenance, they require a standard set of care measures to ensure a healthy bush and a good harvest. This includes the following:

• timely watering and loosening;
• weeding, garter and pinching out stepsons;
• application of fertilizers and protection from diseases and pests.

Watering is a crucial factor in the crop's development. Cucumbers don't like drought, but standing water near the roots can promote fungal growth, root rot, and ultimately, the death of the plant and the harvest.

If this isn't possible, plants should be watered at least twice a week (more frequently during high daytime temperatures) early in the morning or in the evening, when the daytime heat subsides, using warm, settled water. Loosen the soil 2-3 times a week. This improves gas exchange, increases water absorption during watering and during rain, and prevents the formation of a hard crust. When loosening, remember that cucumbers have a shallow root system. It's even recommended to rake young seedlings to encourage lateral roots to form, as excessive loosening can easily damage the root system. Don't overdo it; loosen the soil no deeper than 3 cm.

Timely weed removal helps ensure cucumbers receive adequate nutrition, as all the micronutrients are available to them rather than competing weeds, and avoid pest infestations. Cheerful gnomes are indeterminate and produce a moderate number of lateral shoots, but to improve fruitfulness, it is recommended to tie the bush to a horizontal trellis and to form in one whip.

When forming a bush, 3 zones are distinguished:

• Zone 0 – blinding is carried out in the axils of the first 3-4 leaves, the rudiments of shoots and ovaries are carefully plucked out, without touching the leaves themselves;
• Zone 1 – form into one stem, along the length of the main shoot, all the rudiments of the lateral shoots are plucked out, and the ovaries are left;
• Zone 2 – the main stem is wrapped around the trellis wire several times and pinched as soon as it reaches the neighboring plant; all side shoots in this area are removed.

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The crop's yield and fruit quality directly depend on the timing and quantity of fertilizing. The first fertilizing is recommended 15 days after transplanting the seedlings into the garden bed. Organic fertilizers (slurry, infused bird droppings, etc.) are most often used. The second fertilizing is best done with mineral compounds (superphosphates, potassium, or potassium-phosphorus fertilizers). Excessive fertilization is also harmful to cucumbers, can cause disease and encourage the emergence and spread of pests.

Of all pests, aphids are the most dangerous. Control measures are standard and will not pose any difficulties even for inexperienced gardeners.

Since this variety is early maturing, fruiting begins approximately 38-40 days after planting and continues until autumn. Cucumbers don't overgrow, but they need to be harvested promptly to avoid wasting energy on the formation of new ovaries and fruits. Harvesting is carried out daily! The maximum possible yield is 100-200 g.² up to 14 kg.

Thanks to their small size, Merry Gnomes are ideal for canning; they retain their flavor and crunch during cooking. The cucumbers are rich in vitamins and microelements, making them indispensable in salads and vegetable platters.

Reviews

Many gardeners prefer hybrid cucumber varieties due to their resistance to major diseases, early ripening, high yield, and ease of care. One such variety is Vesyolye Gnomiki F1.

Tatyana Nikolaevna, 52 years old

I live in the northern region and grow cucumbers in a greenhouse from pre-grown seedlings. This was my first time using the Vesyolye Gnomiki F1 seeds. I was pleased with the germination rate. Out of 10 seeds from the packet, 8 sprouted—a very good result. The plants are excellent, strong, tall, and the cucumbers form clusters. It's a pleasure to harvest them. I will definitely grow more.

Victoria, 39 years old

In our short summers, you have to plant, grow, and harvest quickly, so I prefer varieties that start bearing fruit quickly. The Merry Gnomes are simply superb in terms of early maturity! I really liked them.

Elizabeth, 44 years old

An excellent greenhouse variety, easy to care for, early ripening, and productive. It's hard to wish for more. And so, other than pinching out the side shoots and watering, practically no maintenance was required. I love these easy-to-grow cucumbers.

Vesyolye Gnomiki F1 is an early-ripening hybrid cucumber variety. It produces a good harvest and requires standard care.