Muravey cucumber variety: growing, planting, and care, photos

Muravei is a hybrid developed by the Russian agricultural firm Manul. It was added to the Russian State Register in 2003. The description states that this variety is recommended for cultivation in the Middle Volga, Northwestern, Central Black Earth, North Caucasian, Central, Northern, and Volga-Vyatka regions. Cucumbers grow well both in open ground and in and in greenhouses. This is confirmed by the attached photos in gardeners' reviews. The yield of the bushes depends on their care.

Description

Muravei is a parthenocarpic variety. It does not require insect pollination for fruit development. Its female flowering pattern guarantees a bountiful harvest. Muravei is an early-ripening cucumber. The first harvest ripens approximately 37 days after germination. The bushes have a moderate climbing habit. They are medium in height, with small lateral shoots and a strong central stem.

The plant can be grown in a confined space, as it does not spread much. The main stem grows unimpeded by the flower cluster. Growth vigor is average. Fruit sets are cluster-like, with 4-7 fruits per node. The leaves are dark green, medium-sized, with a slightly wrinkled surface and slightly wavy edges. The plant is relatively resilient to adverse weather conditions and can tolerate short periods of cold weather.

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The fruits are oval-shaped, 8-10 cm long, and weigh approximately 100 g. They have slight ribbing and pronounced bumps. The skin is thin and deep green. It features white spines and parallel light stripes running from the top to the center of the fruit. The flesh is light green and richly flavored. It is crisp and medium-firm. The lack of bitterness is genetically determined.

The yield is 12 kg per square meter. Regularly removing the fruit at the gherkin stage increases the overall yield. Fruiting begins earlier and ends later than with other varieties. These vegetables are easy to transport and can withstand even long-distance shipments.

Landing

Planting and caring for Muravie are the same as for any other variety. The planting rates are as follows:

• 3 bushes per 1 m2 in a greenhouse;
• 4-5 bushes per 1 m2 in open soil.

Lack of space for planting isn't a critical issue. To solve this, farmers install several supports. When choosing a planting site, pay attention to its level of sunlight. Insufficient sunlight leads to slower plant growth, reduced yield, and the development of various diseases. When growing cucumbers outdoors, try to choose a site protected from strong winds.

Planting seedlings

Seeds for seedlings are planted in the last week of April. A nutrient mixture for them can be purchased or made at home. Seedlings are grown either in plastic cups with a hole in the bottom or in peat pots. Two seeds are placed in each container at a depth of about 2-3 cm and covered with plastic film to create a greenhouse effect. After the seedlings emerge, the film is removed. If two seedlings emerge at once, the weaker one is removed. During this time, carefully monitor the soil to ensure it does not dry out. Moisten it by spraying with water from a spray bottle.

The seedlings are planted in open soil The plant is only planted after 3-4 true leaves have grown and the soil has warmed to 10-15°C. About 7-10 days before this, it begins to harden off: first, it is brought outside for 1-2 hours, and then for longer periods. This allows the plant to adapt to the environment and ultimately establish itself more easily in its new location. At the same time, it is important to ensure that the plants are not exposed to direct sunlight, as this can cause sunburn.

Seedless method

The site for planting cucumbers is prepared in the fall. One bucket of compost is added per square meter of soil, then the soil is thoroughly plowed. Muravey is not planted in areas previously occupied by pumpkins, as this can lead to disease. Good predecessors include beets, onions, green manure, garlic, legumes, and potatoes. Initially after planting, the beds are covered with plastic to protect them from frost and drying out. The main drawback of the direct-seeding method is that it does not produce the early harvest that is possible when growing crops from seedlings.

Further care

When planting seedlings, they are planted slightly deeper to allow the root system to develop better. Bushes of this variety do not spread much and branch little. However, the main stem grows vigorously, so it is tied up. Hilling and mulching (neutral peat or dry grass are suitable) are essential. Mulch promotes root development and helps retain moisture in the soil. It also creates a favorable environment for earthworms.

Watering cucumbers Apply only settled, sun-warmed water to the roots, being careful not to wet the tops. Do this 1-2 times a day: morning and/or evening. Cold water is not suitable, as it overcools the root system, thereby reducing phytoimmunity and negatively affecting plant development. The ant prefers consistently moist soil and responds well to drip irrigation.

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Like all early-ripening cucumbers, this variety requires fertilization. Fertilization is applied at least three times per season. Both organic fertilizers (bird droppings, mullein, nettle infusion) and complex mineral preparations are used. For best results, both varieties are alternated. To better retain moisture and nutrients in the soil, farmers regularly remove weeds.

Sustainability

Ant is highly resistant to cladosporiosis and downy mildew, which are dangerous to other varieties. Among the most common fungal diseases of this variety are:

• Alternaria;
• anthracnose;
• root rot;
• Ascochytosis;
• tracheomycosis.

Signs of damage are usually visible on the leaves and fruits of the plant. Diseases are controlled by disinfecting the soil and regulating its moisture content, adjusting the air temperature, and irrigating the bushes with fungicides. Among bacterial diseases, bacteriosis poses the greatest danger, affecting almost the entire plant shortly after its onset. To combat this, use products such as Fitolavin or Abiga-Peak.

Reviews

Dmitry, 52 years old

Gardening is my hobby. Every year I try to buy a new cucumber variety. Three years ago, I planted Muravei. It turned out to have the following advantages: low maintenance, disease resistance, and a pleasant flavor. For the first time in many years, I've settled on one hybrid, and I don't want to change it for another. I scatter mustard on the soil before planting and during the growing season, so the plants have never had any problems.

Anastasia, 34 years old

I bought the Muravei variety for the first time last year. The manufacturer promised high seed germination rates, and they delivered. There were plenty of seedlings, and the plants grew strong and healthy. I was also pleased with the variety's ease of cultivation and high yield. The gherkins grow beautifully and deliciously. I planted the cucumbers in a spot where phacelia, a green manure crop, grew. The plants thrived and bore fruit. They never became diseased throughout the season, despite frequent bad weather.

The Ant variety is suitable for both home and farm cultivation. It offers the following advantages: no need for pollination, low maintenance, high yields, short fruit length, early maturity, and a pleasantly flavored cucumber. Its disadvantages include the inability to use home-grown seeds. This drawback is more than offset by its numerous advantages.