Description and characteristics of the Izyashny cucumber variety: planting and care

The "Elegant" cucumber is a mid-early variety. According to the description and photo, the first 10-cm-long, marketable cucumbers can be harvested 45-50 days after germination. In numerous reviews, vegetable growers note the crop's undemanding planting and care, as well as its regionalization, which allows it to be grown in Siberia and the Far East.

"Graceful": biological description

In 1971, another promising cucumber variety was added to the USSR's register of breeding achievements. This new variety was intended for cultivation in the harsh conditions of Siberia, the Urals, and the Far East. It was developed in the experimental fields of what is now the All-Russian Research Institute for Selection and Seed Production of Vegetable Crops. Today, the Central and Northwestern regions have been added to the recommended growing regions.

Bushes

This is a determinate plant. The sturdy central stem grows to no more than 2 meters, which is why it is often grown horizontally, along the ground. Flowers, which form in the leaf axils, are pollinated by bees, making it preferable to grow "Izyashny" outdoors. The branched shoots are densely covered with medium-sized, bright green foliage.

Fruit

If pollination is successful, an ovary forms instead of flowers. At technical maturity, the cylindrical, green fruits with white stripes are picked from the vines. The dense skin has moderate bumps and is white in pubescence. The cucumbers are uniform in size and average 10-12 cm in length. Each cucumber weighs 120-150 g. The flesh is firm, crisp, and has a distinct cucumber aroma.

Features and specifications

Ripening time in different climate zones occurs 45-55 days after germination and rooting of seedlings (if grown from seedlings). This makes the variety considered mid-early. Although zoned for cultivation in Siberia and the Urals, it has low immunity to powdery mildew, which spreads rapidly in cool, humid summers. Furthermore, to ensure a bountiful harvest, crops require additional protection.

Productivity, taste, purpose

With proper cultivation techniques, a single bush can yield approximately 6 kg/m², even in challenging weather conditions. The fruits, which are not prone to overgrowth or yellowing, have an excellent flavor, but only if there is adequate moisture. Otherwise, they can become bitter. It is versatile: thanks to its dense structure, which guarantees a cucumber-like crunch, it is used not only for fresh consumption but also for canning, although due to its large fruits and thick skin, it is rarely used for traditional pickling.

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Advantages and disadvantages

Vegetable growers point out three drawbacks to the "Izyashny" variety: a short fruiting period, bitterness due to insufficient moisture, and vulnerability to powdery mildew, which requires additional treatment with expensive fungicides, increasing production costs. However, the variety's advantages outweigh its shortcomings:

• 100% seed germination;
• high marketability and survival rate of seedlings;
• resistance to minor cold snaps;
• use as a pollinator for other varieties;
• the possibility of independently harvesting seeds;
• good taste.

Sowing cucumbers

Due to the good survival rate of "Izyashchny" cucumber seedlings, some vegetable growers sow seeds for seedlings. They do this 20 days before the planned planting date. For seedlings to root and seeds to germinate (for direct sowing), the soil temperature at a depth of 5-6 cm should be around 12°C. Soil fertility and seed preparation also influence uniform germination.

Site selection and soil treatment

A sunny, neutral or slightly acidic site for cucumbers is prepared in advance, in the fall. Choose a site that hasn't had any pumpkins grown this season. Other crops are acceptable pre-planting options, but cabbage, peas, soybeans, peppers, and onions are the best. To oxygenate the soil, dig it to a depth of one and a half spadefuls, simultaneously adding humus and superphosphate. Alternatively, natural farming enthusiasts replace the latter with wood ash, which is also rich in phosphorus.

Preparation of seed material

Varietal cucumber seeds are prepared in two stages: soaking and disinfection. If they are coated when removed from the packaging, this indicates industrial pelleting; no further treatment is required. If the seeds are collected independently, they are soaked before sowing to identify substandard seeds (such seeds will float). To kill pathogens, the seeds are immersed in a manganese solution for 20 minutes.

Open ground sowing technology

To save space, which is important for small plots, a trellis method of growing is chosen, with a planting pattern of 40 x 40 cm. The standard method involves the following steps:

1. The holes are prepared with a row spacing of 60 cm and a distance of 35 cm from each other.
2. A handful of wood ash is poured into each depression.
3. Plant 2-3 seeds at a time or plant seedlings in peat pots.
4. After covering the plantings (crops) with soil, they are mulched using sawdust (if the acidity is neutral, peat can be used).

Caring for the crop

Unlike many hybrids, the "Izyashchny" variety is notable for its undemanding nature. However, it does require care. To obtain a bountiful harvest of cucumbers, it is necessary to regularly water the plants, fertilize, and maintain clean and loose beds to ensure adequate nutrition and oxygen access to the roots. As a preventative measure, varieties prone to powdery mildew should be treated with an appropriate preparation.

Watering

The "Izyashchny" variety is moisture-loving. However, when grown in regions with frequent rainfall, additional irrigation may not be necessary. When soil moisture reserves are depleted, water the plants every three days with warm water. Apply this water early in the morning or evening at the roots, taking care to avoid dripping onto the shoots. Water in the leaf axils can promote fungal growth.

Soil treatment

To maintain the cleanliness of the beds, as well as the “porous” structure of the soil, the soil under the cucumbers is loosened and weeded.

The soil cultivation depth should not exceed 3 cm, otherwise the vegetable grower may damage the crop's roots, which will lead to a weakened immune system or even death.

Loosen and weed the soil only after rainfall or watering to ensure the soil is moist and there is no moisture deficit. To extend the time between treatments and protect the roots from nighttime temperature drops, mulch the beds using peat or sawdust. It is crucial to adhere to these requirements.

Bush formation

When grown horizontally, this procedure is not performed. However, when grown on a trellis, even determinate plants are trained. Since the bushes are not very tall, the central shoot is pinched above the third true leaf, which allows for 5-6 lateral shoots and increases the yield from 4 to 6-7 kg/m². The shoots are always secured to the trellis with twine that will support their weight and the fruit.

Protection from diseases and pests

Powdery mildew and rot are dangerous diseases, developing rapidly in the cool, humid summers typical of northern regions. To maintain the health of plants and ensure a bountiful, high-quality harvest, the bushes are sprayed with a working solution of a copper-containing fungicide before flowering. Melon shoots are often attacked by aphids. To prevent these insects, a combined spraying with fungicides and insecticides, using a tank mix, is used.

Top dressing

Systematic application of fertilizers not only provides complete nutrition to plants, but also helps maintain their health and develop excellent immunity.

Top dressing, which are also preventative measures for plant protection, are carried out three times during the growing season:

1. 14-15 days after emergence or planting of seedlings, use nitrogen-containing complexes.
2. During the flowering phase, add wood ash.
3. During intensive fruiting, use superphosphate and potassium sulfate.

Harvesting and storage

Harvesting is done in the morning or evening. The fruiting phase is short, so it's best to pick the cucumbers quickly, even though they don't tend to overgrow. However, this will prevent new fruit from forming. The optimal interval between picking cucumbers is 2-3 days. Pick the cucumbers carefully, avoiding the risk of damaging the vines.

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Store cucumbers in the refrigerator's vegetable compartment, where conditions are optimal for cucumbers: high humidity and a temperature of 4-5°C. If there are large quantities of cucumbers, they are placed in a cellar, the walls of which are pre-treated against fungal infections. Pre-sorted cucumbers with no signs of disease or mechanical damage are placed in storage boxes.

Reviews

Alina, 30 years old

Thanks to their thick skin, the cucumbers retain their shelf life for a long time, remaining fragrant and crisp. Since this variety was bred for cooler climates, I sow the seeds early, but cover them with plastic wrap until stable warmth arrives to prevent the nighttime temperature drop from damaging the plants. I harvest as early as 50 days after the first sprouts appear.

Peter, 42 years old

I grow cucumbers for myself. I liked this variety for its decent yield with minimal care, but the cucumbers didn't live up to expectations due to their rough skin. This is an advantage for selling them, as they keep well and retain their marketable appearance for a long time. I used the harvest for food. I peeled the cucumbers for salads, but this method is not suitable for pickling—the cucumbers are not suitable for that type of processing.

Anna, 55 years old

I've been growing the "Izyashchny" variety for over five years. I've come to love it for its undemanding nature and early harvest. I try to pick the cucumbers as often as I can, which has helped me avoid the problem of hardened skin that many vegetable growers complain about. I use the fruits in both salads and pickling.

The "Izyashchny" variety produces a stable harvest in areas with cool summers. However, due to its lower productivity compared to other perceptual hybrids, it is grown much less frequently in the Central Region.