Cucumber Konkurent: description and characteristics, reviews

The Konkurent cucumber has been known for its reliability and high yield since the 1980s. It was developed at an experimental breeding station for cultivation in the southern regions of Krasnodar Krai, but has since been cultivated almost everywhere, even in colder regions. It received its name for a reason – it occupies a place of honor among others, mainly due to its excellent taste and resistance to diseases.

Description

This variety is early and fast-ripening. The first fruits appear in just six weeks. Its high yield and low maintenance have earned it the love of both amateur and professional gardeners.

Therefore, most vegetable growers prefer to plant bee-pollinated varieties in open beds, and for indoor cultivation, use seedless hybrids, in which fertilization and development occur without the participation of pollen.

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Cucumber seeds germinate quickly, and flowers with bright yellow corollas appear early. After the corolla opens, the pollen retains its potency and fertilizing ability for only a few hours. The flowers of the Competitor close at night and open around six in the morning.

Peculiarities:

1. The flowers fall off after two weeks.
2. By this time, small cucumbers are already beginning to form from the ovary.
3. The fruit ripening period is from 40 to 50 days.
4. The harvest can be collected for three months in a row.
5. A yield of up to four kilograms of cucumbers per square meter is considered within the norm.

Main characteristics

Cucumber vines, especially the central stem, can reach over two meters in length. Therefore, to ensure uniform growth, hanging structures or vertical slats are necessary. The stems are characterized by moderate branching and strong vines. This variety is a mixed-flowering plant and produces cluster-shaped ovaries.

A distinctive feature of Konkurent is the impressively long stalks of ripe fruits, which aids harvesting. Unnecessary side shoots often grow at the base of the stem, and it's best to remove them promptly. The same applies to excess ovaries. This creates conditions for the root system to strengthen and develop.

The fruits are characterized by:

• medium oblong shape;
• proportional dimensions (3-4 cm in width and 9-12 cm in length).

The average fruit weight is 80-110 g. They are dark green with faint light stripes. The skin is prickly, firm to the touch, and has large bumps.

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The flesh is firm, void of cavities, juicy, with a distinct crunch and aroma. This variety is unique in that it is suitable for both fresh salads and preserves.

Planting and care rules

Planting must begin with proper seed preparation. Calibration, which involves separating small seeds and removing "dead" ones, is a necessary and important process. To make this process more practical, the seeds should be soaked in a salt-water solution. To do this:

1. Dissolve 30-40 grams of salt in a liter of water.
2. Pour the seeds into the resulting solution and wait 7-10 minutes.
3. Seeds suitable for planting will sink to the bottom of the solution, while all non-viable and spoiled ones will float to the surface.

To rinse and disinfect the seeds, use a weak solution of potassium permanganate or boric acid. Soak them in this solution for at least 24 hours.

To be completely sure of the seeds' quality, you can germinate them. This will increase the germination rate. When preparing planting material, it's important to remember that seeds reach their peak viability in the second or third year, provided they're stored properly.

The best predecessors for cucumbers in the garden are considered to be:

• onion;
• nightshade.

It is better to plant seeds at a distance of approximately 35-40 centimeters from each other and the same distance between furrows.

To get a good harvest, you need to follow a few simple rules:

• moderate watering;
• feeding with bioadditives;
• harrowing the soil;
• weed removal.

Cucumbers don't absorb water well from the soil and use it up quickly. If the plant lacks moisture, ovaries drop, and small fruits develop. Therefore, for healthy growth and development, it's important to ensure moderate watering and loosening the soil, avoiding the formation of a soil crust. This will provide the plant's roots with oxygen, which is very scarce in the soil. Cucumbers also need carbon dioxide, which the plant can convert into pure oxygen. For this purpose, you can use arugula as a natural fertilizer. ordinary manure.

During the ripening period, it's crucial to pick the greens at least four times a week. Otherwise:

• the skin will become rough and turn yellow;
• the pulp will become dry and not as tasty.

In a dark, dry, and cool place, cucumbers retain their quality for quite a long time, and they also withstand long-distance transportation well. The Konkurent variety is resistant to many common cucumber diseases and is easy to care for.

This mixture can also neutralize sun rays, which will prevent leaves from getting burned.

Reviews

Even novice and amateur gardeners can care for cucumbers and get a decent harvest. That's why they're so loved.

Alexey, 37 years old, Samara

I've been growing the Konkurent variety for 10 years now, and it never fails to delight me. The yield is unmatched! Diseases are very rare and resolve quickly. Regular soil loosening and timely watering are essential.

Tatyana, 47 years old, Anapa

My husband loves pickled cucumbers. I've tried several varieties and absolutely fell in love with Konkurent. It's simply unmatched for pickling. The cucumbers are all perfectly matched—easy to remove from the jar. They're delicious, aromatic, and crunchy just like fresh ones. A wonderful variety! Germination is excellent. And if you soak the seeds in a damp cheesecloth or cloth before planting, they'll sprout 100%. You can also sow the seeds in flower pots in the spring, and when they bloom, you can plant them directly in the ground with the soil—for better establishment.

Anatoly, 48 years old, Simferopol.

I want to say that no other variety I know compares to Konkurent. I get a consistent harvest without any problems. It's enough for more than just my family. I even have to give cucumbers to friends and relatives sometimes. And when I open a jar of pickles, I can't drag the kids away! They're running around crunching on them.

The Konkurent variety offers the perfect combination of excellent taste, excellent appearance, and unique adaptability to various environmental conditions and resistance to major diseases. Following simple preparation steps and simple care will ensure a consistently high yield every year.