Features of growing and caring for cucumbers of the "Athlete f1" variety

In seed catalogs, Atlet F1 cucumbers attract attention with colorful photographs and numerous positive reviews from gardeners. This variety boasts record-breaking yields, ease of cultivation and care, and resistance to major crop diseases. By following planting rules and agricultural technology recommendations, every gardener can get an excellent harvest of cucumbers.

Description and main characteristics

The hybrid is marketed by the Russian company Gavrish, a renowned supplier of high-quality seed. In 1999, the company applied for approval, and in 2002, the hybrid was included in the State Register and recommended for cultivation in all regions of Russia. It is specifically noted that it can be grown in extended rotation.

The Atlet hybrid is grown by small farms for market sales and in private garden plots. In temperate climates (the Urals, Siberia, and the Northwest), it is recommended to plant this productive variety in greenhouses and then cultivate it on trellises.

The bushes are indeterminate, climbing, with a large number of leaves.

The leaf blades are very large, with a smooth, glossy surface. The color is rich green. Ovaries form both on the main stem and on side shoots. The cucumbers are harvested no earlier than 53-55 days after sprouting. Fruiting is stable and long-lasting. With adequate fertilizing, this tall hybrid produces fruit in greenhouses until the frost sets in.

The cylindrical cucumbers grow to 18-20 cm. The skin is dark green with slightly blurred stripes. The skin has sparse, large bumps and is sparsely covered with white hairs. The fruit has a small neck. The flavor is excellent, with a pleasant sweetness, without bitterness or hollowness in the pulp. There are a few seeds, but they do not affect the taste. In terms of marketable yield, the Athlete F1 variety has a higher yield than the standard hybrid, Estafeta. A yield of 24-25 kg per square meter is achieved. The maximum yield of cucumbers in a greenhouse is impressive – up to 32 kg/m².

The fruits are primarily used in salads and slicing. Despite the dense flesh, the Atlet is not suitable for pickling, marinating, or canning. Farmers note the good shelf life of the cucumbers (up to two weeks) and their suitability for transportation. The fruit's commercial qualities and flavor are not affected.

Advantages and disadvantages

This domestic variety from the Gavrish company has become a favorite among gardeners and farmers for its numerous positive characteristics. Moreover, the breeders' claims are confirmed in cultivation.

Pros:

• excellent fruit harvesting performance (higher yield when planted in shelters);
• excellent taste;
• keeping quality;
• resistance to sudden temperature changes;
• stable and long-term yield of cucumbers;
• suitability for transportation;
• high product characteristics;
• resistance to the main complex of crop diseases.

The Athlete F1 hybrid can be grown in an extended rotation (including in winter greenhouses).

Cons:

• Lack of parthenocarpy. Pollinators need to be introduced and bees must be attracted. This is easier for industrial growers, but more difficult for gardeners, so hand pollination is often used.
• The inability to collect seeds for subsequent sowing. F1 hybrids do not retain their parental traits in subsequent generations; seed must be purchased annually. However, the financial investment is offset by excellent yields of cucumbers.

Features of cultivation

The originator states in the description that the F1 Athlete hybrid is best grown in greenhouses. High productivity has been noted when planted in heated shelters.

Sowing seeds and caring for seedlings

The sowing time is determined by the local climate, weather, and the future growing location. Cucumbers should have 2-4 strong leaves and a healthy root system when planted. Seedlings should be no more than 22-25 days old. Seedlings do not tolerate transplanting well, so they are grown in individual containers and then planted in prepared holes in garden beds or greenhouses.

For nutrient mixtures, use ready-made universal soils for seedlings, or prepare your own. You will need:

• humus;
• peat;
• rotted sawdust.

Sawdust can easily be replaced with vermiculite and coarse river sand. These additives are used to improve soil permeability and looseness.

Add a complex fertilizer and ash to the mixture. For every 10 liters of mixture, add one tablespoon of nitrophoska and 0.5 liters of sifted ash. It's best to germinate the seeds (in a damp cloth) before sowing them in prepared pots. For disinfection, it's recommended to treat the seeds with a potassium permanganate solution.

When growing seedlings, maintain a temperature of +20ºC…+22ºC, avoiding fluctuations in temperature. Water regularly, being careful not to spill water on the plants. Also, feed the cucumbers once or twice a day using complex formulas or ready-made fertilizers. There is a wide selection available in stores, so you can choose from general-purpose nutritional formulas or specialized fertilizers for cucumbers.

Harden off the seedlings 8-10 days before planting by placing them on a veranda or balcony. Harden them off gradually, acclimating them to lower temperatures and new conditions. These seedlings adapt more quickly to greenhouse conditions and are less susceptible to disease.

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Caring for the hybrid in the greenhouse and on the beds

There are no significant differences in the cultivation techniques for greenhouse and field cucumbers. The techniques are the same, but when planted under cover, the first harvest of cucumbers occurs more quickly. The planting time is determined by weather conditions: stable warmth, soil warming to 14ºC…16ºC.

Athlete seedlings are planted in heated greenhouses in April, and under plastic or polycarbonate covers in May. In the Moscow region, planting seedlings in open ground is possible no earlier than early June, although the exact timing depends on the weather. In garden beds, cucumbers are always covered with agrofibre or non-woven material for 10-14 days after planting.

In Siberia, the Urals, and the Northwest, the crop is planted in shelters in May, and in open ground no earlier than June 10-12. Fertile soils with a neutral pH are selected. If soil deacidification is required, ash or dolomite flour is added. High yields are achieved by following crop rotation, alternating crops within the plot.

The best predecessors for cucumber seedlings:

• tomatoes;
• eggplants;
• sweet pepper;
• green manure.

When planting a hybrid in shelters, arrange trellises: install supports and tighten wire. The recommended planting pattern for this variety is 2-3 plants per 1 m. When planting in beds, spread the plants out, maintaining a pattern of 3-4 plants per 1 m.

Care for the crop includes:

• loosening the space between rows (cucumbers respond well to loosening the soil, increasing yield);
• watering;
• top dressing;
• bush formation;
• Preventive treatments against diseases and pests.

Irrigation

Water the plants regularly with warm, settled water. When watering, take into account the condition of the plants, the soil type, and the weather conditions. On hot days, water every day to prevent the plants from wilting. The recommended amount for mature plants is 5-6 liters of water per plant (in hot weather).

The beds are watered as needed, taking into account the amount of precipitation. Water heated in the sun to 20ºC is used. Water from wells, ponds, boreholes, and rainwater is first settled in barrels while simultaneously warmed in the sun.

After watering, the soil is loosened to allow oxygen to reach the root system. Mulching, which involves placing hay, sawdust, or straw between the rows, will simplify maintenance. Mulch protects the beds from drying out, becoming overwatered, and preventing weeds.

Fertilizing a hybrid

At the first stage, nitrogen supplements are essential to promote rapid plant growth and development. Cow manure diluted in water (1:10) or poultry manure (1:15) are used. During the flowering and fruiting stages, potassium and phosphorus (potassium nitrate, superphosphate, and ash) are added to the fertilizer.

Approximate schedule:

• 16-18 days after planting seedlings in a greenhouse or garden bed;
• second feeding – after 14-16 days (at the flowering stage of plants);
• third and subsequent feedings – every 10-14 days.

Folk remedies that are effective include watering cucumbers with an infusion of fermented herbs (nettle, comfrey, dandelion), boric acid solutions, and yeast. When watering with yeast solutions, ash (potassium) is added simultaneously, as yeast fungi leach this component from the soil.

It's advisable to alternate foliar sprays and root fertilization, especially if weather conditions are unfavorable for plant growth and development. In cloudy weather, nutrients are absorbed more quickly through the plant's stomata than through the root system.

Formation of bushes

These hybrids are characterized by rapid growth and simultaneous fruit ripening on the bush. If the plant fails to develop, some of the ovaries turn yellow and die, and yield declines.

Vigorous Athlete F1 bushes produce numerous lateral shoots. Therefore, it's necessary to shape the bushes by removing excess shoots and pinching out shoots:

• at the bottom of the bush, 4-5 nodes with ovaries are removed (up to a height of 45-50 cm);
• pinch off the side shoots, leaving 1-2 leaves and ovaries (up to the trellis);
• pinching the main stem after lowering it from the trellis by 10-20 cm.

Thickening of plantings and lack of pruning leads to a decrease in yield and the occurrence of infections (especially in greenhouses).

Harvesting

A mid-season hybrid, the first green fruits are ready for harvest in approximately 52-55 days. Harvest regularly, as the green fruits may become overgrown and turn slightly yellow. Flavor is not affected, but yield is reduced.

During peak fruiting, daily harvesting is recommended, as this promotes faster development of new ovaries and prevents the plant from becoming overloaded with fruit. Daily harvesting is the key to an excellent yield, while any delays reduce the plant's productivity.

Reviews

Gennady, Arkhangelsk region

I planted the Atlet hybrid in a greenhouse. Pollination was a bit of a concern, as it was cloudy and rainy during the peak bloom period. There weren't many bees, so I pollinated by hand myself. I used a brush and transferred the pollen. The harvest was very good, but I realized that I should plant this variety in the garden beds instead.

Nikolai Petrovich, Samara

I have nothing but good things to say about Athlete. It's a productive, fungal-resistant, and low-maintenance hybrid. We've been growing it in our garden for a long time, eating it fresh. My grandchildren love fresh cucumbers; they choose these fruits. I also plant small gherkins for pickling.

Irina, Nizhny Novgorod

In my new polycarbonate greenhouse, I decided to try out a few new hybrids. One of them was Athlete, which turned out to be a very good and productive cucumber. It showered us with salad cucumbers, and I even gave some to neighbors and relatives. Now it's on my list for next season, and I plan to buy seeds in advance, otherwise by spring there won't be much choice again. I highly recommend it; it's the perfect variety for salads.

The high-yielding Athlete F1 hybrid has earned a good reputation among gardeners. It's prized by farmers, and average gardeners are pleased with its results. With proper cultivation techniques, this variety will delight you with excellent yields.