Phoenix cucumber variety: description and characteristics, reviews

Cucumbers

The variety was developed in the 1980s by A.V. Medvedev. An improved version, Phoenix Plus, was developed in 1993. These late-ripening vegetables begin bearing fruit 55-65 days after germination. The harvest period continues until the first frost, yielding up to five kilograms per square meter. They are resistant to all types of powdery mildew and cucumber mosaic virus, and are pollinated by bees. They prefer full sun and warm, fertile soil, and tolerate sudden temperature changes and drought well.

Description

Phoenix 640 and Phoenix are non-hybrid varieties that are successfully grown in open beds or under temporary plastic cover. These cucumbers received their name after a powdery mildew epidemic that devastated other varieties.

Attention!

The Moscow region, Siberia, and the Urals are ideal areas for growing Felix.

There is a line of varieties that have the word "phoenix" in their names:

640;
F1;
Plus.

They are based on the same variety, but their characteristics differ significantly; when choosing, you need to check the name.

Phoenix Bushes:

medium-sized;
vines up to three meters long, branched, unpretentious and tenacious.

It can be grown on trellises, single supports, or without them. Lateral shoots are spaced far enough apart to ensure good oxygen permeability and prevent fungal growth. The small leaves on the shoots prevent moisture evaporation, ensuring all moisture reaches the fruit. This cucumber variety produces primarily female flowers, which are arranged in clusters, increasing its yield.

The fruits of this variety can reach a length of up to 16 cm and weigh between 150 and 190 grams. They are recommended to be picked every two to three days. The cucumbers are elongated and triangular when cut. They are dark green with longitudinal white stripes, and the surface is covered with bumps with white spines. The skin is thick, and if not watered well, bitterness may develop. The taste is rated above average; this cucumber variety is suitable for salads due to its large size, but many people also use them for canning.

The only drawback is bitterness when watered sparingly. The variety produces large fruits, making them unsuitable for canning.

This type has more advantages than other types:

tolerate temperature differences well;
can be stored for up to 15 days;
resistant to fungi and viral diseases;
transportable;
wonderful taste, crispy and juicy;
the commercial appearance of this variety is more than 85%;
quite a long fruiting period.

Resistance to diseases and pests

This variety is one of the most resilient. It is resistant to all types of pests. It can be attacked by:

spider mite;
sprout fly;
melon aphid.

To get rid of these pests, it is advisable to spray the crop with a tobacco solution.

Careful monitoring of plants during the growing season is essential. As a preventative measure, spray with an ammonia solution (10 ml per 10 liters of water). Due to their structure, cucumbers are susceptible to:

viruses;
fungi.

Attention!

This variety is susceptible to root rot or white rot. White rot can be eliminated by removing the affected areas and replacing the soil with healthy soil. However, if the cucumber is infected with root rot, there's nothing to be done—the plant will die.

Soil that's too dry or too wet can cause these diseases. So, it's best to monitor watering and secure the stems to supports, which will reduce the chances of fungi infecting and developing on cucumbers.

Growing

Before planting, the soil needs to be fertilized. It's best to loosen it, and use compost from last year's leaves or manure for additional nutrition. Plant cucumbers in the first half of June:

chernozems;
turf;
loamy soils.

The soil should have a neutral pH; saline or highly acidic soil is not suitable for this variety. The soil should not retain moisture and be nutritious, but it should also be light.

Seeds should be sown in early May in specially prepared containers. Transplant them outdoors in late May or early June. If sowing seeds directly into the ground, this should be done in early June, by which time the soil has warmed and the threat of frost has passed.

Landing features:

sow at intervals of 10-15 centimeters;
the distance between rows should be 40-50 cm;
Plant the seeds a maximum of one and a half centimeters deep.

Before planting, install supports so that the branches cling to them rather than lie on the ground, making harvesting easier. This will also reduce the risk of viral and fungal infections.

Advice!

Place young shoots under temporary covers. This variety, like all cucumbers, dislikes drafts. This will protect the cucumbers while they're young; once the ovaries have formed and the stems have strengthened, the covers can be removed.

This variety, like other cucumbers, thrives on moisture. However, watering should be moderate to ensure proper fruit development. Watering should be moderate until the first fruit sets, as the top layers of soil dry out. Once fruit set begins, water more frequently. Insufficient moisture will cause the cucumbers to become bitter. However, avoid overwatering or waterlogging, as this will encourage fungal growth.

When the fifth leaf emerges, trim the top of the stem. If two ovaries have formed on the side branches and they've grown more than 30 centimeters long, they can be removed. This isn't necessary, but the key is to pinch off the main stem promptly.

During the growing season, cucumbers need to be fertilized with organic and mineral substances:

Feed with nitrogen until ovaries appear.
Then stop at phosphorus-potassium.

Add organic fertilizer to the beds themselves. Fertilize every 15 days until fruit appears.

The harvest should be picked on time, as this encourages new fruit to emerge. Lower leaves should be removed. Fruit can be harvested until late autumn.

Reviews

Cucumbers are easy to grow and produce a bountiful harvest. They ripen late but continue to produce fruit until the first frost, allowing for a good harvest even in early autumn. Gardeners recommend the domestic Phoenix variety, as its fruit is not only tasty but also highly disease-resistant.

Galina Yu, 42 years old.

This year I planted several varieties of cucumbers, but due to some problems, I wasn't able to care for them properly. Only one variety yielded a harvest – the Phoenix cucumbers. They were a bit bitter, but they were perfect for salads; I even managed to pickle some.

Andrey K, 51 years old.

I've been planting this variety for several years now. I also choose the "Phoenix Plus" variety; it's slightly smaller than the "Phoenix" and ideal for canning. It also doesn't turn bitter if underwatered.

Anatoly U, 46 years old.

I've always recommended this cucumber variety to my friends, as they're perfect for planting in various regions of the country and always produce a bountiful harvest. During the entire fruiting season, I can harvest up to three buckets a day (I pick cucumbers every other day). I used to grow them only for myself, but now I can sell them because they look so good after shipping and can be stored for up to 10 days.

Cucumbers are resistant to most diseases and pests, allowing for minimal maintenance. The Phoenix variety is suitable for commercial use because it fares well during transportation and retains its marketable appearance for a long time.