The Primadonna F1 variety is a favorite among gardeners. This hybrid is characterized by early germination, good yield, and is suitable for both fresh and pickling. This cucumber variety was developed by breeders from the Sedek company in Moscow. Included in the register of agricultural achievements in 2007. The undisputed authors were recognized as S.V. Dubinin, I.N. Dubinina and M.I. Kirillov.
Description of the variety
The plant variety Prima Donna is a female type, vigorous and strongly climbing, yielding up to 28 kg/m2It is grown in open ground in various regions:
- Tomsk;
- Novosibirsk;
- Omsk;
- Tyumen;
- Kemerovo.
The variety has a number of features:
- the shape of the fruit is elongated, slightly rounded, with a tapered tip;
- the size of the cucumber does not exceed 12 cm;
- the seeds inside are small;
- the average weight of a cucumber is 100 g;
- the skin of the fruit is dark green, lighter at the edges;
- absence of bitterness.
The advantages include:
- early ripening period (about 40 days from the moment of the first fruit);
- fetal growth even in the absence of unstable temperatures;
- vigorous stem growth;
- does not require insects for pollination;
- require minimal maintenance.
The Prima Donna variety's characteristics distinguish it significantly from its competitors. It grows tall, approximately 175-180 cm. The trunk is slender and flexible, yet has numerous branches that spread widely, reaching up to 90 cm in length.
The fruits form massive clusters. Ribbed, with a dense, green skin—this is what a Prima Donna cucumber should look like. A characteristic and distinctive feature of this variety is the absence of bitterness throughout the fruit. The flavor is rich, the seeds are small, and the flesh is soft.
Advantages of the variety
The fruits are used in culinary recipes. They can be eaten raw, pickled, frozen, salted, or preserved in jars for the winter. Since sowing usually produces a large harvest, some cucumbers can be sold or pickled, while the rest can be consumed fresh.
Primadonna cucumbers transport and store well. To preserve their freshness and flavor when grown in large quantities, store them in a cool, dark place. When transporting, stack cucumbers tightly to prevent them from slamming into hard surfaces.
Why is the Prima Donna so popular:
- Cucumbers have a great presentation. They look great on the table, in a jar, and on the counter. They can be sold fresh on their own or in salads.
- The fruits ripen quickly. The first fruits can be harvested as early as April, after the frosts. At this time, they will be in high demand and command a higher price.
- The variety is distinguished by excellent resistance to various infections that often affect plants. For example, infectious diseases;
- Cucumbers stay fresh for a long time if stored properly.
Despite their unpretentiousness, it's best to plant the seedlings according to all the rules to ensure a large and tasty harvest.
Landing rules
It's important to choose a planting site. It should be well-lit and protected from strong winds. The soil should be well-warmed, preferably around 20°C. OC, therefore, planting should begin after frost.
Recommendations for planting activities:
- The soil must be thoroughly loosened, preferably using humus or mature compost.
- It's best to start planting seedlings a month or two in advance. This is necessary to ensure the seedlings have at least three leaves no smaller than 20 cm.
- You need to take two seeds for regrowth. Once the first leaf grows, it's best to leave the stronger plant; the other can be cut off with scissors.
- After planting, the plant needs to be watered; you can add a growth stimulant or anti-stress preparation for plants to it.
- The bed must be covered with light lutrasil for several days to protect the fruits from direct sunlight.
- It is advisable to mulch to retain moisture and get rid of weeds.
These are general rules that will help beginners better navigate the process of planting fruit. However, for those already familiar with these "laws of the garden," it will be interesting to learn a few additional tips that will make your garden more productive and worthy of pride.
Further care
As soon as the first wave of shoots appears, the vines should be cut back. Remove any yellow leaves. After a few days, apply nitrogen fertilizer to promote better growth. After 7 days, repeat all treatments until the first fruits appear. The Prima Donna will produce fruit until the first frost.
You may be interested in:Many people are accustomed to using manure as a fertilizer. A mullein infusion can also be used for this purpose. The benefits of manure and infusion are often confused, or people try to convince you that they have the same effect on the fruit. However, their properties are very different.
Mullein infusion should be used about once a week. It should be made weak, as plants don't like strong concentrations. water the beds It's best to use lukewarm or cool water, but never cold, to prevent the fruit from becoming too cold. In hot weather, it's recommended to water not only the fruit itself but also the surrounding soil (or, in a greenhouse, the path). This will ensure sufficient moisture for plant growth.
Adviсe:
- If a cucumber fruit emerges from the ground during growth, don't cover it with soil. It's better to simply surround it with mown grass. This will prevent rot.
- It's best not to water the plants before harvesting. This will prevent them from becoming soft, and the cucumbers will retain their fresh scent and appearance longer.
- It's important to separate the strong seedlings from the weak ones and discard the latter without regret. This way, the plants will grow vigorously, producing large fruits. They won't interfere with each other, so the likelihood of a good harvest is higher.
When landing, it is necessary to immediately shape a plantCucumbers should not have active foliage to avoid overpowering the plants and interfering with fruit development. Remove newly emerging buds to promote faster growth.
For rapid growth, in addition to vitamin complexes and infusions, you can use various fertilizers and sprays. You can also spray the leaves with a sun and insect repellent. Since this variety was bred by plant breeders, it is already protected from many fungal and infectious diseases. However, prevention never hurts.
When planting, the holes should be spaced far enough apart to ensure comfortable fruit growth. This will allow the plant to receive more sunlight and nutrients from the soil. Mineral supplements can be added directly to the hole, and after planting, water thoroughly.
Gardeners have noticed an interesting fact: they can harvest cucumbers starting from 8 cm in size. These cucumbers can be pickled like gherkins, and they will have the same flavor as 12 cm cucumbers. When pickled, these cucumbers do not develop any air pockets.
Reviews of the Prima Donna variety
This variety doesn't require any special care. Gardeners claim that basic farming practices are sufficient for a good harvest.
Karimova Marina, 54 years old
I've been growing the Primadonna variety for several years now. It's truly an extremely easy-to-grow variety, producing large, juicy fruits. They're not bitter at all, so they're perfectly fine to eat. Kids also love going out into the garden, picking a cucumber, and crunching on it while running around in the fresh air. I've tried pickling them, and it's delicious, too, but natural cucumbers, fresh from the garden, are much tastier. I often use them in salads and add them to meat and fish. I highly recommend them!
Mironova Ekaterina, 39 years old
The whole family loves this variety. We tried it by chance while visiting, and then bought some seeds on a tip. I grew it in a greenhouse, and all the fruits were juicy and not bitter. The only thing is, you need to pick the cucumbers early to prevent the tips from rotting prematurely. I always buy several packets of seeds, just in case, since they always run out first at our store. The cucumbers are also very good for sale. Beautiful, with firm skins, and no bitterness, there's a line forming. A little tip: don't add too concentrated solutions when fertilizing; it's better to use a weak solution.
Valentina Lushina, 44 years old
I've planted several different cucumber varieties, but I love this one for its minimal maintenance during cultivation. I can't say anything bad about it; the cucumbers are quite good and grow quickly. It's a good idea to fertilize them during planting, as this will increase the likelihood of them growing well. Overall, I'd recommend these to anyone new to gardening; you won't have any problems. If you've been wanting to try them but were hesitant, don't be afraid!
Primadonna F1 is a hybrid variety that produces a good harvest. It can be grown in many regions of Russia.

When to plant cucumbers in May 2024 according to the lunar calendar
Cucumbers for a polycarbonate greenhouse: the best varieties for the Moscow region
A catalog of late-ripening cucumber varieties for open beds
Catalog 2024: The Best Bee-Pollinated Cucumber Varieties