Cucumber "Atos f1": sowing, growing, care and yield

Atos F1 is a parthenocarpic hybrid. The plant is resistant to temperature fluctuations and can easily survive short-term drought. It is considered an early-ripening variety, with the first fruits appearing 40-45 days after germination. Harvested fruits can be stored fresh for up to 15 days, provided they are kept in a dry, dark place. The yield is 12-12.5 kg per 1 m.².

Description of the bush and fruit

The bush is tall, reaching an average height of 1.5-2 meters. The bushes often spread outward, so they should be planted at a reasonable distance from each other. Female inflorescences predominate. The number of flowers per ovary varies from 3 to 5. Leaves:

• wide;
• triangular shape;
• dark green color.

This variety is characterized by cluster fruiting, meaning several cucumbers form in a single axil. The fruits are firm, very juicy, and dark green. The flesh is solid and contains small white seeds. The skin is medium thick and not bitter. Small black spines run along the entire fruit. Short white stripes, 1-2 cm long, extend from the top. Each cucumber weighs 80 to 100 g and is 10 cm long.

This variety is versatile and can be used in salads, pickled, preserved, or added to pickles.

Preparing seedlings

Growing seedlings will help increase germination rates and protect the seedlings from frost. And if growing in northern regions, seedlings guarantee a harvest and extend the fruiting period. Preparing them takes about a month. It's recommended to start preparing seedlings for this variety as early as mid-April.

First, the seeds need to be calibrated. For this procedure, you'll need a glass of water and table salt.

After calibration, the seeds are laid out on a cloth and left to dry. They are then disinfected. Producers claim that disinfecting the seeds is not necessary since they have already been treated, but there's always a chance this wasn't done properly. It's important to remember that even one bad seed can ruin a large portion of the harvest. The following are used as disinfectants:

• hydrogen peroxide solution;
• potassium permanganate.

Regardless of the chosen product, the solution must be weakly concentrated, otherwise the seeds will be spoiled.

You can buy soil for Atos F1 seedlings at a store or prepare it yourself. If you're making it yourself, you'll need to prepare compost or vermicompost in advance. The soil should be light. Leaf mold is most commonly used. However, it contains very few micronutrients, so it's mixed with humus (or compost) and peat.

Another, no less effective way of preparing the soil is to add to the leaf soil:

• humus;
• wood ash;
• superphosphates;
• potassium sulfide.

Mix all the ingredients to make the soil looser and lighter. Add peat and sawdust to the resulting mixture. After mixing, check the soil's pH; it shouldn't be higher than 6.5.

It's best to soak seeds in peat tablets; the sprouts can then be planted in soil along with them. The diameter of the cup should be at least 42 mm, otherwise the plant may outgrow it and damage the root system. Typically, cucumbers are grown in sour cream or yogurt cups. Drainage holes are made at the bottom to allow excess water to drain. Small pebbles are placed at the bottom of the cup and covered with soil (2/3 of the container). Place 2-3 seeds on top and cover with soil. Initially, the acceptable air temperature is 25-26°C. ^OC. It is best to place the seedlings in a sunny place near the window.

Caring for seedlings

It's not recommended to water the plant for the first few days. To prevent it from drying out, mist it with warm water several times a day. It should be warm, but not hot, and certainly not boiled. Over time, replace misting with watering. After each watering, loosen the soil to ensure the root system receives sufficient oxygen.

Features of thermal regimes:

1. Until the first shoots appear, the temperature should not be lower than +25 ^OWITH.
2. As the plant develops, it is lowered to +22 ^OWITH.
3. When the first few leaves appear, the seedlings begin to harden off. To do this, take the pot outside daily, first for 5 minutes, then for 8-10 minutes. Gradually, the time spent outside increases to half an hour.

Despite the fact that Atos F1 is a frost-resistant variety, you should not neglect this procedure.

Transplantation into the ground

The soil must be prepared beforehand. Just like the seeds, it is disinfected with a solution of potassium permanganate. This helps remove any fungal spores that may remain in the soil. The soil must:

• weed well;
• remove weeds.

They also contribute to the development of diseases in cucumbers.

Before planting, small holes are made in the ground, into which peat pots are planted.

Athos cucumbers are best grown in a greenhouse or hotbed. Yields may be slightly lower in open ground.

Planting patterns and care in a greenhouse

The most common types of greenhouses are a heated greenhouse or a film structure. A heated greenhouse is a depression or pit filled with biofuel (manure). The optimal depth of the pit is 50 cm, and its shape should resemble a truncated cone. Logs are laid along the trench, secured in the middle with planks. Insulation is placed on the bottom, and a layer of biofuel is spread evenly on top. The trench is covered with mats or frames. After 5 days, when the mass has settled slightly:

• the manure layer needs to be replenished;
• then sprinkle with earth.

A film greenhouse is essentially a greenhouse covered with film. Special metal frames are installed to support the film. Once the soil warms to 18°C ​​(64°F), cucumbers can be planted.

The classic pattern for greenhouse planting is 100x50 cm. There are also:

• two-line 80x60x35 cm;
• single line 70x35 cm.

The desired width between plants should be 160 cm, and the distance between rows should be 60 cm. Plants are planted at a distance of 35 cm from each other.

It is best to choose trellis planting methodIt involves installing special wooden poles with a net stretched between them. Over time, the plant grows and weaves around the net.

Atos F1 seeds are best planted in late April or early May. First, the greenhouse should be disinfected and ventilated. After planting, it's crucial to avoid high humidity. The recommended temperature is +28°C. ^OC. The optimal humidity level is 90%.

Weeds form very quickly in a greenhouse, so it's crucial to remove them promptly. Water regularly, both in the open ground and in the greenhouse.

After each watering, it is advisable to loosen the soil, and in addition, it can be mulchYou can choose organic or inorganic materials as mulch.

Fertilizing and shaping bushes

If the soil was initially well-fertilized, regular fertilizing will likely not be necessary. In some cases, fertilizing will be necessary three to four times per season. The first application is made 15 days after germination. It consists of a mixture of:

• water;
• slurry.

The second feeding, like the two subsequent ones, is done every 2-3 weeks after the previous one.

Don't forget about mineral fertilizers. You can buy them at a flower shop or make your own. In addition to root feeding, you can also use foliar feeding. The best time for this is during flowering. In this case, the plants spray with a urea solution.

Most cucumber varieties require shaping. Athos is no exception.

They pinch Between the 4th and 5th leaves. This helps stimulate shoot growth. The second pinching is done between the 3rd and 4th leaves. Remember to remove dried, diseased, or unsightly fruits, as they hinder the growth of the main stem.

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Diseases and pests

https://youtu.be/QaECc2fXn3Y

Cucumbers are a crop that is highly susceptible to disease. Hybrid varieties, such as Atos F1, may be resistant to some diseases, but it's impossible to say with certainty that the risk of contracting them is zero. Causes of disease include extreme temperature fluctuations, excessive nitrogen fertilization, fungal spores remaining in the soil, and debris from other plants.

Preventive measures:

• compliance with crop rotation;
• removal of plant debris and weeds;
• disinfestation of soil, greenhouses or hotbeds;
• ventilation of a greenhouse;
• regular watering with warm water.

Unfortunately, no plant is immune to pest attacks. Plants can be treated with chemicals as a preventative measure, but many farmers avoid such drastic measures, so regular inspections are the only option. As soon as a pest is spotted, it must be dealt with immediately, otherwise the harvest may be ruined.

Pest control measures:

• infusion of hot red pepper;
• garlic infusion;
• soap solution;
• sugar traps and boric acid;
• chemicals.

Slugs feed on young and weak plants. As a result, these plants become susceptible to disease and weaken.

Reviews

The Atos F1 variety is resistant to low temperatures and is an early-ripening, high-yielding variety, making it a favorite among Russian farmers. Many of them are willing to share their feedback about it.

Anna Polunina, 47 years old

I plant both bee-pollinated and pollinator-free varieties on the chest. I've planted Athos several times. It's undemanding and easy to care for. The cucumbers are tender and juicy. Once, slugs appeared in the garden, and I had to kill them with chemicals, but this didn't affect the quality of the cucumbers at all.

Ekaterina Matyukhina, 50 years old

I used to grow this variety often. It's truly easy to care for. I used most of the harvest for canning and pickling. The cucumbers turned out delicious and crispy.

Alina Shukshina, 48 years old

I plant cucumbers of this variety every year and have never regretted it! Firstly, the cucumbers are very tasty and juicy, and the skin isn't bitter. Secondly, they're cold-resistant. Our summers are very short, but this variety has managed to produce a large harvest. Each plant will definitely yield a bucket. I'm very happy with this variety.

The Athos F1 cucumber variety is a hybrid. It has good immunity and doesn't require any special growing conditions; standard care is sufficient.