The Emerald Stream F1 variety lives up to its name: its dark green fruits reach impressive lengths. It's a parthenocarpic variety that can be grown both indoors and outdoors. The first abundant harvest can be collected 45 days after planting.
Briefly about the variety
Cucumbers grow quite long, 30-50 centimeters, but are also thin. After reaching a certain length, the fruit may begin to curl. The shape truly resembles a stream or flow of emerald color. The fruit has a sweet taste and is ideal for salads. The skin is thin, covered with spiky tubercles. With proper care, each square meter can yield up to 6 kilograms.
Medium-sized bushes with large leaves and medium-sized shoots. Ovaries form densely, and lateral shoots grow vigorously. Each cucumber averages 200 grams. The flesh is not bitter, and small, almost invisible seeds form inside. Can be grown in a greenhouse or open ground. This variety was developed in Russia and is well suited for growing in our climate.
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Key benefits:
- early fruit formation;
- sweetish pleasant taste;
- resistance to growth in shade and low temperatures;
- long harvest period;
- large and long fruits;
- resistance to viruses, fungi and diseases.
The fruit's excellent flavor and complete lack of bitterness, which remains undetectable even under unfavorable conditions, are noted. These fruits are not suitable for canning: they are too long and the skin is thin. However, they are perfect for salads and fresh eating.
Features of cultivation
The planting time and method vary by region. In the northern part of the country, it's best to plant cucumbers using seedlings, while in the south, sow the seeds directly into the ground, either indoors or outdoors. The ideal soil for sowing is fertile, light in texture, and fairly loose. Heavy, acidic soil with high moisture content is not recommended, as it increases the risk of developing rot and root rot.
Soils that are low in nutrients should be fertilized before planting. Cucumbers require nitrogen, potassium, phosphorus, and calcium. You can use mixtures or apply each mineral separately. A suitable greenhouse soil can be mixed yourself from 3 parts sod soil and 1 part each of humus, wood ash, and sand.
You may be interested in:Once the soil warms up, you can plant the plants outdoors. The optimal air temperature for growth is 18-25°C. Up to four plants can be planted per square meter. Ideally, plants should be spaced 50 centimeters apart. Seeds should be buried about 3 centimeters deep. If you choose to plant from seedlings, be careful when transplanting, as the roots are easily damaged. This will weaken the plant and reduce fruit production.
For best growth, follow these rules:
- Treat the seeds with a disinfectant solution before planting. You can also dip them in a growth stimulant to speed up the emergence of the first shoots.
- Fertilize cucumbers regularly throughout the growing season. Organic fertilizers are best.
- Water your plants in the evening. Use room-temperature water to prevent over-chilling and root rot.
- Weed the soil and improve aeration. Remove weeds promptly, as they drain nutrients and can carry viruses.
- Don't leave the bushes to grow freely. Train them to increase the yield and fruiting period. Stems should be tied to prevent them from falling over.
This variety is suitable for spring-summer and summer-fall growing cycles. In heated greenhouses, seeds or seedlings can be planted earlier than usual. The main thing is to prepare the soil and fertilize it. Emerald Stream F1 is a parthenocarpic hybrid, meaning it doesn't require insects for pollination. Pollen does not harm the plants, so they can be grown outdoors without any concerns.
Diseases and pests
There's no need to worry about diseases: the variety is quite resilient, immune to most common diseases and fungi. The only problem is root rot. It occurs with overwatering, stagnant soil, or prolonged cold weather. Root damage can also be the cause. Be careful when transplanting seedlings and water cucumbers only with warm water.
You may be interested in:You can check the roots manually by gently pushing back the top layer of soil. The disease manifests itself differently at different stages of development. Initially, the stem becomes thinner and begins to darken or turn yellow. The root system becomes limp and soft. Cracks may appear at the base of the plant. These can be noticed even without digging up the plant. Gradually, the leaves begin to yellow at the bottom and fall off: at this stage, it is usually too late to treat the problem.
Prevention is better than cure. Treatments for root rot may not be effective. Treat the seeds and soil with a potassium permanganate solution or Fitosporin. This will help prevent future disease development. Maintain proper humidity and watering: do not overwater the cucumbers. During heavy rainfall, protect the soil with plastic or mulch to help preserve the crops.
There's no need to worry about other diseases: Emerald Stream F1 is resistant to cladosporiosis, downy mildew, and powdery mildew. With proper crop rotation and a weed-free environment, you won't have to worry about mosaic virus. The variety is also resistant to pests. It can be attacked by aphids and spider mites, but if you spot the problem early, damage can be easily avoided. Regularly inspect the bushes for the first signs of pests. Apply insecticides as soon as you notice them.
Harvesting
The first fruits appear after a month and a half. This usually occurs 40-48 days after planting. Under good conditions, fruiting can continue until frost. Once the bush begins to bear fruit, monitor the length of the fruit. Harvest the cucumbers when they reach 25 centimeters: this will be the most delicious and flavorful harvest. Each cucumber can grow up to half a meter in length, but growing them beyond this is not recommended. It's best to harvest them when they reach 45 centimeters in length. After this point, the skin becomes thicker, and the flavor is lost.
You may be interested in:It's best to harvest every other day and store in a cool place to preserve juiciness and flavor. A single bush produces an impressive number of fruits. Good results can even be achieved if grown on a balcony. However, the yield will be much higher in open ground or a greenhouse.
Reviews
Inga, 59
A friend shared the seeds of this variety with me, praising the taste of these cucumbers. At first, I was hesitant: we get a lot of rain here, so the risk of root rot is quite high. I ended up planting them in a greenhouse and keeping an eye on the watering. The results were impressive: the fruits are tasty, juicy, with a slightly sweet flesh. They're great in salads and on their own.
Saveliy, 61
This is my second year growing them. The first time, I tried sowing the seeds directly into the ground, but there were sudden climate changes and the harvest wasn't very good. But this year, I planted them from seedlings, and everything immediately took off. A month and a half later, I harvested the first fruits: they were crisp, thin-skinned, and very tasty. I feed them with superphosphates and nitrogen during the early stages to improve their growth.
Antonina, 68
I really like these cucumbers. The fruits are long and have practically no seeds inside. One cucumber is enough for a whole salad, which is convenient. The harvest is truly bountiful, even if you pick daily. I try not to grow the cucumbers longer than 30 centimeters; otherwise, the flavor is lost. They also have a beautiful dark green color.
The Emerald Stream F1 variety can be grown even in cool climates. It requires little care and is resistant to pests and diseases. The only serious threat is root rot. To prevent it, monitor watering frequency and temperature. The cucumbers grow long and emerald-colored. They are prized for their excellent flavor and size.
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