Cucumbers "Khrustik f1" and "Chudo Khrustik f1": advantages and disadvantages

Hybrid cucumbers called "Khrustik" are popular among gardeners due to their unique characteristics. Knowing the variety's description and characteristics, along with photos and information on growing them in greenhouses and open ground, will help you achieve a bountiful harvest. With proper care, cucumbers ripen early and you can enjoy the fruits as early as mid-summer.

Characteristics of the variety

"Khrustik," like "Chudo-Khrustik," is a first-generation hybrid developed by Russian breeders in the 2000s. Renowned specialists from the Aelita agro-company—Kandoba, Kachainik, and others—worked on its development. The variety is registered in the Russian Federation and is considered official. It is widely grown in the Northern, Central, and Western regions. It is suitable for greenhouse and garden cultivation.

The variety is classified as parthenocarpic monoecious, meaning the plant is pollinated and develops without the assistance of male pollen. It produces no seeds, and there are 2 to 4 flowers per node. Fruit ripening begins in the sixth week.

Description of the bush and fruits

The plant is a medium-sized climber, with unlimited stem and shoot growth. Lateral shoots actively emerge during ripening, but these should be pinched promptly. The leaves are large and bright green. A single bush can produce up to nine clusters, with up to five fruits per axil.

The cucumbers are oval-shaped with a pointed edge. The skin has medium-sized pimples and small white spines. The color is dark green with white stripes. The fruits reach 10 cm in length and weigh up to 80 g. The flesh is crisp with a sweet flavor. No bitterness was observed, and the aroma is distinct. The yield is high, approximately 12 kg per square meter.

Advantages and disadvantages

This variety is often found in farmers' greenhouses and gardens. It is prized for its many advantages:

• high level of productivity;
• early maturity;
• rich color for a long time;
• synchronous ripening of fruits;
• attractive appearance;
• resistance to fungal diseases such as powdery mildew, rot, cucumber mosaic.
• possibility of transportation;
• long shelf life.

The fruits of this early-ripening variety contain a large amount of vitamins and microelements, which normalize digestion and remove toxic substances from the body.
No deficiencies were found in the plant.

Growing and care

It was previously believed that parthenocarpic varieties They are not suitable for outdoor cultivation, as they cannot withstand sudden temperature changes, and therefore have a high risk of deformation. Moreover, they were originally intended for greenhouses. However, modern gardeners have confirmed that varieties with similar types can adapt to any climate. However, they recommend using film to create a greenhouse effect.

The first shoots will appear no later than 35-40 days later. To ensure a long and abundant harvest, the fruits should be picked as they ripen.

Sowing seeds

To grow seedlings, you can use any pot or box 70-80 cm long. It will fit approximately 6-7 plants. Before planting, water the soil lightly.

Stages of seed growing:

1. Pre-treated seeds should be planted in soil and covered with a thick film, leaving no gaps. Store the container in a dark, warm place until the first sprouts appear.
2. Then place the pot on a sunny (usually south) side of the house.
3. After 2-3 months, cucumber vines will appear. They can now be transplanted into individual containers or into open ground.

The vines need to be tied with twine so as not to damage the leaves (otherwise, the plant's nutrition will be impaired, reducing growth and yield). The tying itself is necessary to ensure the shoots receive sufficient light.

Growing in an apartment

You can grow Khrustik indoors, and you can plant the seeds at any time of year, but in November and December the plant needs additional lighting.

For each cucumber plant, use at least 5 liters of fertile soil. You can use soil from your garden, but mix it with equal parts peat, sand, and humus. For better growth, you can add wood ash and sawdust. To make the task easier, buy a general-purpose soil.

Plant care

To obtain a bountiful and high-quality harvest, it is necessary to take into account several rules:

1. The main component of proper care is sufficient watering with warm water. Once the soil on top has dried out a bit, it needs to be weeded, loosened, and watered.
2. Weeds are removed as needed.
3. To fertilize the soil, use mineral and organic substances, alternating them. This procedure is repeated 2-3 times a month.
4. If the plant is still at the seedling stage, use banana peels diluted in water as fertilizer.
5. Pinch above 3 or 5 leaves so that new shoots appear on the sides, thereby reducing number of barren flowers.

Based on gardener reviews, the "Khrustik" cucumber variety is an excellent choice for growing indoors. The plant is easy on the environment, requires little maintenance, and produces a bountiful and delicious harvest.

Reviews

Alina, 31

I grow vegetables exclusively in a greenhouse, but most of the varieties I have require careful care. I liked Khrustik because it grows practically on its own and is very easy to care for.

Anastasia, 38

My husband bought me the "Chudo Khrustik" variety, even though I'd asked for a completely different one, but the seller recommended these. And I can say I really liked them. At first, I was worried about having to tie them up and pinch the shoots every week, but no, the cucumbers are growing beautifully and are delicious.

Igor 34

We have a large garden, and I love tinkering with different varieties and comparing them. Each variety has its own unique purpose. Khrustik is a different story; the cucumbers taste great both canned and fresh. I recommend it to everyone!