Cucumber variety "Tchaikovsky f1": recommendations for cultivation and care

The Tchaikovsky variety is a hybrid, as indicated by the letter F1 on the seed package. It was developed by breeders from the Dutch company Rijk Zwaan in 2013 through the improvement of another variety. The variety's parent is Kibriya, developed by the same company in 2009. It was included in the State Register of Breeding Achievements Approved for Use in the Russian Federation in 2017. It can be cultivated in the Northwestern and Central regions of Russia.

General information about the variety

The Tchaikovsky F1 cucumber variety is grown both in greenhouses and in the open field. Its distinctive feature is its preference for soft, loose soil and out of direct sunlight. If there are no areas in the garden that don't receive direct sunlight, it's recommended to plant sunflowers, as they are relatively easy-to-grow, grow quickly, and provide the necessary shade.

Leaves:

• small;
• moderately green in color;
• medium waviness.

The variety has a cluster-type ovary, meaning at least three fruits ripen in one spot. Cucumbers:

• oval shape;
• even dark green color with a yellowish stalk;
• the tubercles are moderately pronounced, but have short and very sharp spines, which makes harvesting significantly more difficult;
• The length of the cucumber is not less than 9-10 cm and not more than 12-13 cm, the average weight is about 70 g.
• The taste is sweetish without bitterness, crispy.

Parthenocarpic varietyThis means it experiences virgin fertilization without pollination. It is characterized by the absence of male buds, and female flowering predominates. A pleasant bonus is that bees are not required for pollination of this species. The variety is characterized by the absence of seeds in the fruits. Regardless of whether they are present or not, they cannot be collected and used for sowing, as they do not contain embryos and are sterile.

The main advantage of this variety is its ability to regenerate. If damaged by temperature fluctuations or other stress, the plant can heal itself to a moderate degree. This is a necessary ability in the Russian climate. However, the variety is not intended for cultivation in colder regions of the country.

An equally pleasant quality is the yield of this variety:

• The crop is early maturing, which allows you to harvest within 40-45 days after planting.
• The plant can bear fruit right up until the coldest weather. If planted in early spring, you can reap the fruits of your labor throughout the summer and early fall.

The fruits don't tend to overgrow, allowing gardeners who don't have frequent access to their plots to avoid the hassle of picking cucumbers frequently without losing their flavor. Many cucumber lovers also consider the absence of seeds in the cucumber flesh a plus.

The fruits of the Tchaikovsky F1 variety are suitable for both raw consumption and for use in various salads and pickles. Their aroma and slightly sweet flavor pair well with a variety of foods. Cucumbers are most tender when young. When preparing sauces and lecho, it's best to peel the cucumber to ensure maximum tenderness.

The variety is resistant to most common cucumber diseases. There are some drawbacks, but they are few. The main one is the limited planting regions. Another drawback is low resistance to:

• downy mildew;
• fungal anthracnose;
• white rot.

For this reason, it's recommended to pre-treat the soil against various diseases that cucumbers are susceptible to before planting. This variety also requires a lot of fertilizer and supplementary feeding, which makes life a bit more challenging for the gardener. However, to achieve a good harvest, you can't rely solely on the talent of breeders.

Features of cultivation

Long before planting seedlings outdoors, it's important to properly prepare the soil to ensure your efforts aren't wasted. It's crucial to follow crop rotation rules, meaning don't plant cucumbers in the same spot for at least five years. While not following this rule isn't critical, it does impact the quantity and quality of the harvest.

Before planting cucumbers in an open area, it is necessary to carry out preparatory measures:

• in autumn – dig up the soil to a depth of approximately 20-30 cm and fertilize with natural fertilizer (manure, humus);
• in spring – fertilize the soil with mineral fertilizers of your choice;
• treat the soil from pests;
• If cucumbers are planted in a greenhouse, treat the greenhouse against pests.

The seeds don't require any special preparation, as the manufacturer indicates that all preparatory steps and treatment have been completed, so all that's left to do is take the seed and plant it. However, some gardeners prefer to "harden off" the seeds in the refrigerator before planting. They believe this helps the plant better adapt to temperature fluctuations.

Growing methods

There are two cultivation methods to choose from. Seedling cultivation is suitable for an early harvest. Seeds are planted in peat (or other) pots to a depth of approximately 1.5-2 cm. Seedlings require:

• access to sunlight, regular air flow;
• daily watering.

Before plant seedlings, you need to make sure that the sprouts are strong enough; usually, the formation of at least two leaves indicates that the sprout is ready for transplantation.

The non-seedling method is suitable for autumn fruiting. First, dig holes in the garden bed and add compost. The holes should be spaced at least 40 cm apart, as cucumbers dislike crowding. Water the holes and plant the seedlings.

The favorable time for starting to plant cucumbers is considered to be the period from the beginning of April for the seedling method, and the beginning of June for the non-seedling method.

For a greenhouse, the planting frequency is usually no more than 2-3 seedlings per 1 m², for open ground, no more than 3-4 seedlings per m².

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Further care

Watering should be done at the base of the plant. The best time is morning or evening. The most convenient method is through a drip system, but if you don't have one, you can water the plants with warm, settled water. For cucumbers growing outdoors, a very important rule is to avoid watering in full sun, otherwise they can get a type of burn. Cucumbers love moisture, but don't overwater them. It's best to check the soil moisture level several times a day and water additionally if necessary.

If the moisture level is insufficient, the fruit may become very bitter, while if it's too high, it may rot. Therefore, in damp and cloudy weather, plants should not be watered, and in hot weather, water more frequently. Professional and amateur gardeners say that one bucket per meter is sufficient for seedlings.²However, when the bush becomes larger (about a meter in height), it is necessary to increase the amount of liquid to 2 buckets per m².

The variety is very fond of fertilizers:

1. During the period of seedling formation, it is necessary to feed the plants with a product containing a high nitrogen content, since it is this nitrogen that is consumed to a greater extent during this time.
2. Nitrogen in combination with fertilizer, containing potassium, will be useful for the plant during the fruiting period.
3. And during the flowering period, it will be necessary to stock up on phosphorus fertilizer.

In total, at least 4-5 fertilizing sessions are required during the season.

There are rules for growing cucumbers, which, if followed, guarantee a rich harvest:

1. Removing lateral shoots. Until the plant reaches more than half a meter, all lateral shoots must be removed. However, as the plant grows, the situation changes, and at heights up to a meter, this should be done after the first leaf appears, and so on. Ultimately, three leaves should remain at the top.
2. Let the stem grow downward. When the main shoot reaches the top of the trellis, it's helpful to lower it downward. This will make harvesting easier and prevent the stem from bearing the weight of the fruit.

There are no secrets to storing Tchaikovsky F1 cucumbers. They can be safely stored in the refrigerator for about a week, but avoid allowing condensation to form, as it can promote rotting. Wrapping the cucumbers in paper is a solution. They can be stored in a cellar, dugout, or icehouse, as long as they are kept dark, cool, and free of moisture. A longer and more reliable method of preserving the harvest is pickling.

By maintaining the growing conditions, the gardener should not have problems with diseases, pests, quantity and quality of the harvest.

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Reviews

The Tchaikovsky F1 cucumber variety is easy to grow and offers excellent flavor, with numerous advantages and few drawbacks. Gardeners appreciate its regenerative properties, the lack of pollination, and the high yield. Here's what they have to say about it.

Ilya, 60 years old

A very interesting variety. I love tinkering with plants and digging in the garden beds, so I had no trouble "feeding" the cucumbers to get a good harvest. I didn't have any particular problems; cucumbers of this variety are more resilient than others, in my experience. The taste is excellent; there's nothing to complain about.

Alexey, 46 years old

Every year I try something new, and this year I chose the Tchaikovsky F1 cucumber variety. The harvest was impressively abundant. The cucumbers themselves are fragrant, crisp, and slightly sweet. They look great in a variety of salads and create a summery atmosphere at home. Yes, I had to tinker with the fertilizer, but as the saying goes, "no pain, no gain."

Elena, 52 years old

I was very pleased with the germination rate of this variety – almost 100%. Considering our weather conditions, this doesn't happen often. We planted them directly in the garden bed; we didn't prep the seeds in any way, as the packaging said they had already been prepped. Oh, and they were so prickly! But what a delicious, incredibly crunchy treat! We shared them with all our friends, and everyone loved them.

The Tchaikovsky F1 cucumber variety is early maturing. These vegetables rarely overgrow and have excellent flavor. They are versatile in preparation and are suitable for transportation and storage.