Description and characteristics of the Artist f1 cucumber variety: planting and care

The Dutch cucumber Artist has received numerous positive reviews from Russian gardeners. The photos and description on the seed packet fully correspond to the results: productive, tasty, and beautiful. But to get a harvest, it is important to take into account the peculiarities of planting and care, and provide the plant with good nutrition.

Description of the hybrid Artist F1

The hybrid's producer is BEJO ZADEN (Holland), a company renowned in the Russian market for its high-quality seed products. Artist F1 was submitted for approval in 2009 and registered in the State Register in 2010. It is recommended for all regions of the country and is grown in open-field beds and under plastic shelters.

This cucumber is prized by hobby gardeners and farmers who grow the hybrid for sale. It is distinguished by its good commercial yield, attractive cucumber appearance, and suitability for transportation.

Main characteristics

The bushes are vigorous, with very strong vines and a well-developed root system. This hybrid belongs to the indeterminate cucumber group, with an unlimited central shoot (over 2 meters) in length. The plants are vigorous, moderately branched, with large, rich green leaves.

Parthenocarpy is genetically determined, meaning the plant does not require pollination. The seeds in the cucumbers' flesh barely mature, remaining in an embryonic state. Therefore, there is no roughening of the skin or seed coats, and the cucumbers are not prone to yellowing or overgrowing. The Artist hybrid is a variety prone to cluster-type ovary formation, but this characteristic only manifests itself with strict adherence to agricultural practices and adequate nutrition. The number of ovaries per axil is no more than 3-4.

A hybrid of early varieties, the cucumbers are ready to harvest 40 days after full germination. These gherkin-shaped cucumbers are green with slight spots and short whitish stripes. They grow to no more than 10 cm in length, and weigh 90-95 grams. The skin is dense, slightly thick, with large tubercles and dense white pubescence.

The flesh is firm and juicy, with no or very few (undeveloped) seeds. There is a genetic absence of voids and bitterness. White-spined cucumbers are typically used in salads, but Artista cucumbers are suitable for pickling, marinating, and canning. The fruits retain their appearance and flavor for a long time and are suitable for long-distance transport.

Advantages and disadvantages

Russian gardeners have been cultivating the first-generation hybrid Artist F1 for nearly ten years. Over the years, it has proven itself in a wide variety of regions across the country. It is prized for the following qualities:

• early release of cucumbers;
• long fruiting period;
• high yields (up to 8.5 kg per square meter in open ground, up to 11 kg from the same area in greenhouses and hotbeds);
• tendency to cluster-type formation of ovaries;
• resistance to various diseases (cucumber mosaic virus, olive spot);
• parthenocarpy;
• excellent taste of fruits, no bitterness in cucumbers;

This hybrid is resistant to temperature fluctuations and requires little care. It produces high yields in open-field beds, under cover, and in greenhouses. It has excellent shelf life and excellent marketability.

One drawback noted is the high cost of seed for foreign hybrids. Seeds must be purchased annually, as first-generation F1 hybrid plants do not retain their parental traits.

Features of agricultural technology

This hybrid is recommended for greenhouse cultivation, especially in temperate climates. In the south, similar hybrid varieties are planted directly in open ground. Standard care is required, including a regular watering and fertilizing schedule.

Growing seedlings

The choice of sowing dates depends on a number of factors:

• climatic conditions of the area;
• current season weather;
• place for growing cucumbers (in shelters, on beds);

In temperate climates, sowing for seedlings should begin in April, so that the seedlings can be planted in greenhouses as early as May. If the crop is planned for outdoor cultivation, sowing should be delayed by approximately 14-16 days.

In the south, cucumbers are sown directly into the ground, but in most regions of Russia, seedlings (23-25 ​​days old) are grown first. This allows for a faster harvest and extends the fruiting period until the warmer weather ends. Peat pots, pellets, and plastic cups are prepared in advance.

The crop does not respond well to transplanting, so it is recommended to sow hybrid seeds directly into separate containers. Hybrid seeds are sold encrusted or coated (multicolored), so additional soaking, disinfection, and germination procedures are not necessary. When sowing, the air temperature should be around 25ºC.

After the sprouts emerge (after 3-4 days), remove the film and lower the temperature to 18ºC for 4-5 days. Thereafter, maintain temperatures between 20ºC and 22ºC, water regularly, and loosen the soil. Ideal, Fertika, and Kemira fertilizers for cucumber seedlings are used as fertilizer.

With the onset of warm weather, when the soil warms to 14ºC, cucumber seedlings are transplanted to their permanent locations. Planting in beds is not rushed, and in the temperate zone, this is planned no earlier than early June. Transplanting into shelters and greenhouses occurs in May, with mandatory protection with non-woven fabric. Two to three plants are planted per square meter, with trellis supports installed in advance. When planting in beds, maintain a distance of at least 40-50 cm between the holes.

Caring for cucumbers

Further caring for cucumbers Traditional, with mandatory watering, loosening, and weeding. To ensure multiple ovaries form in the axils, the plants are provided with sufficient light. When planting in open beds, it is convenient to use netting for support, with the stems and vines tied to the mesh. This method of growing, even in open ground, dramatically increases yields.

Cucumbers appreciate irrigation, but are often susceptible to root rot if the soil is overwatered. Therefore, water generously, taking into account weather conditions and the plants' moisture needs. Before flowering, water 1-2 times a week, at a rate of one liter per plant. Once flowering begins and during the fruiting period, increase the amount to 4-5 liters.

Water into furrows and holes, using warm, settled water. Cucumber roots are located close to the soil surface, so they are easily damaged by weeding and exposed by irrigation. Mulching cucumbers yields good results, simplifying care and ensuring adequate soil moisture. Straw, grass clippings, and compost are good mulches for cucumbers. If mulch is not available, loosen the soil after each watering or rain to prevent a hard crust from forming.

Top dressing Fertilizers are applied approximately 2-2.5 weeks after planting the bushes in their permanent location. A total of 4-5 applications are recommended over the summer, alternating organic and mineral fertilizers. Foliar sprays are also recommended, especially in cloudy weather. During this time, roots have difficulty absorbing nutrients, so foliar sprays are a good alternative.

Approximate diagram:

• At the beginning of the growing season, use diluted in water cow dung (1:10), bird droppings (1:20), nitrophoska (1 tablespoon of fertilizer per bucket of water);
• From the moment of flowering and during the fruiting period, solutions of superphosphate, potassium sulfate, and wood ash infusion are added.

Herbal infusions (dandelion, comfrey, nettle) are excellent fertilizers for cucumbers. Ready-made solutions such as Ideal, Kristalon, Kemira for cucumbers, and chelated fertilizers are also available.

The bush is formed according to the following scheme:

• at the bottom of the main stem, 3-4 nodes are completely blinded;
• pinch off the side shoots, leaving a leaf and one ovary (up to half a meter in height);
• pinch the shoots to a height of up to one and a half meters, leaving 3 ovaries and 2-3 leaves on the vines.

When the stem reaches the trellis, it is thrown over and allowed to grow downwards for another 20 cm or so, then pinched.

Preventive treatments against pests and diseases

The Artist F1 cucumber variety is rarely affected by diseases, but infection prevention is necessary. Spray the plants with a whey solution, Bordeaux mixture, and growth promoters (Epin, Zircon). To stimulate fruiting and simultaneously boost disease resistance, apply wood ash infusion, boric acid, and Zavyaz.

To protect against pests, use folk remedies such as herbal infusions and iodine solutions. Monitor humidity levels and avoid overwatering the soil. It's advisable to remove excess leaves and ensure adequate ventilation in greenhouses.

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Harvesting

The first harvest of cucumbers occurs 40-42 days after germination and continues until the end of summer. Throughout this period, the plants require fertilizing to ensure that all the developed cucumbers fully ripen. Cucumbers are harvested every 1-2 days. During peak fruit development, harvesting is daily.

These hybrids are not prone to overgrowing, deteriorating flavor, or yellowing. However, if cucumbers are not harvested promptly, the growth of other crops is slowed, reducing overall yield. Therefore, it's best to avoid delaying harvesting, regularly picking ripe cucumbers.

Reviews

Lydia, Volgograd region

I wasn't impressed with the Artist. The salesperson at the store recommended it to me and raved about it. I planted five out of ten seeds, and they sprouted well. But for some reason, they started to lag in growth in the garden, even though the other "Dutch" ones were growing well. There were a fair number of fruits, but another problem—they have thick skins. Maybe some people like them that way, but I prefer other cucumbers, so I didn't even sow the rest of the seeds from the packet this year.

Irina, Kimry

I grow 4-5 hybrids in the greenhouse every year, including the Artist. I have limited experience growing this cucumber, but I liked the taste and appearance of the cucumbers. I water them frequently because they consume a lot of water and are very good eaters. Regular fertilizing with manure is essential, otherwise the plants won't show their full potential and there will be fewer fruits.

Oleg, Slobodskoy, Kirov region

I really like Dutch hybrids. I've been growing them since the tough 1990s, when I had to hunt down and order seeds from big cities. I've been planting Artist for five years now and am very happy with the results. There's a wide selection of seeds, so you can choose from a variety, but I don't want to give them up. The cucumbers are delicious and pickle well.

The Dutch parthenocarpic hybrid Artist F1 has successfully established itself in Russian garden plots. It requires little care, produces fruit well in temperate climates, and is resistant to disease.