Characteristics and secrets of growing the hybrid cucumber variety "Carolina f1"

The Carolina F1 variety was added to the State Register of Breeding Achievements of the Russian Federation in 2008. It is widely grown in the Northern, Central, and adjacent regions of Russia, as well as in the Volga-Vyatka region of Russia, the Republic of Moldova, and Ukraine. The abbreviation F1 indicates that the plant was bred through selective breeding and is a first-generation hybrid.

Characteristics of the bush and fruits

This hybrid has a well-developed root system. The plants produce numerous clustered ovaries, which bloom predominantly in the female pattern. It has strong, climbing stems of medium size. The bush grows up to 150 cm tall. Branching is moderate, and lateral shoots grow well. Leaves are medium-sized, green, and standard-shaped.

Fruit characteristics:

• length 13 cm;
• weight 95 g;
• diameter 3.5-4.5 cm.

The fruit is neatly cylindrical. The bumps are medium, ending in white pubescence. Larger bumps are also found. The skin is thin, dark green, and lacks any patterns or stripes. The flesh is medium-dense, with a distinctive crunch and flavor. They are not bitter, and retain their shape even if harvested late.

Rare varieties have no drawbacks. And all plant species have their advantages. Advantages of a hybrid:

• can be grown both in open and closed ground;
• high yield;
• good taste and presentation;
• performs well during storage and transportation;
• high-yielding variety;
• do not require painstaking care, unpretentious;
• wide range of applications.

Disadvantages of a hybrid:

1. The inability to prepare seeds for future plantings on your own.
2. Seed material must be purchased annually.

Parthenocarpic pollination simplifies the gardener's work, and this is another advantage of the plant. The hybrid does not require insect assistance, pollinating itself.

Resistance to diseases and pests

Resistance to diseases and pests is embedded in the hybrid at the genetic level, so most of the diseases typical for cucumbers bypass it.

Has genetic resistance to:

1. Powdery mildew. This disease most often affects cucumbers. It occurs as a result of the spread of fungal spores across the plant's surface. It can be identified by its characteristic white coating, similar to powdery mildew.
2. Downy mildew. An unpleasant disease caused by a fungus. It begins as a whitish coating on the underside of the leaf. The affected area gradually expands, and the spots turn brown or russet. The plant becomes unviable.
3. Cucumber mosaicThe virus, when it consumes the culture, leaves it with yellow and green spots resembling a mosaic. It is difficult to treat and correct.

For such cases, every gardening store sells various solutions. All you need to do is dilute it and spray the plant with the prepared solution. Sometimes, gardeners prefer to use folk remedies as a preventative measure, such as garlic infusions, onion peel infusions, or vinegar infusions.

How to breed:

1. Prepare the garlic infusion in advance. Take several heads of garlic and blend them into a smooth paste. You don't need to peel them. Add a small amount of water to the solution and store it in a dark place for two weeks. Once the mixture has steeped, dilute every 20-25 ml with a liter of warm liquid.
2. Pour 100 grams of onion peels into 5 liters of liquid. Leave the infusion for 14 hours, then strain through cheesecloth. Spray the plants with the purified solution.
3. Add a tablespoon of acetic acid to a liter of warm water, stir, and spray. Laundry soap can be added to improve the solution.

Carolina F1 cucumbers grow well even in unfavorable conditions. They produce a good harvest even in hot weather.

Agricultural technology

The recommended planting time for the hybrid is late March or early April. For indoor cultivation, the recommended time is July. However, there are no strict planting time restrictions. Planting times may vary depending on the region. In areas with warm or hot climates, the hybrid can be sown earlier. Warm weather, without frost or fluctuating temperatures, should be established. Ideally, the soil should warm to 10-12 degrees Celsius. ^OWith no frost. The warmer the air temperature, the faster the sprout will appear.

The gardener must monitor the soil:

1. The variety thrives in loamy soils and does not tolerate acidic soils.
2. If the soil pH is too acidic, it should be limed. It can also be treated with ash or dolomite flour.

There's no need to soak the seeds before sowing, but some gardeners treat them with specialized compounds, such as growth biostimulants. The soil should be moistened before planting. When sowing, seeds are planted 30-40 mm deep, with at least 30 cm between plants. When planting seedlings, the seeding depth is 10-15 mm. In a greenhouse, row spacing is 50 cm. Shorter spacings will compromise crop yield and plant growth, as roots will interfere with each other's growth.

For sowing seedlings, you should select containers in advance. The following are suitable:

• peat pots;
• self-degradable materials, such as eggshells.

These materials allow you to transplant the plant without damaging it. You can use a medium-diameter plastic container. Make a hole in the container first to allow the plant's roots to receive oxygen. The substrate should contain peat and ash, with some turf added. After sowing, cover the container with plastic wrap or a thick material and ensure the air temperature does not drop below 25°C. ^OIf the balcony faces north or doesn't receive enough sunlight, consider lighting. Special lamps are often used for illumination. The covering is removed after the first leaves appear.

When the plant has three leaves, it's time to transplant it into the ground. This typically occurs after 20-25 days. Before transplanting, treat the soil with fungicides, such as Gliocladin tablets or a weak solution of potassium permanganate.

As soon as the plant has a leaf, fertilizers should be applied, alternating mineral and organic fertilizers. Phosphorus and nitrogen fertilizers are essential. At least four applications per season are recommended. On average, cucumbers are fertilized every two weeks. Phosphorus fertilizers are best used in liquid form. Manure-based fertilizers can also be used.

Watering:

1. Daily and abundantly.
2. The plant must receive at least 500 ml of liquid.
3. The water should be settled and not cold.
4. You should also avoid overwatering the plant.
5. Water carefully; do not water cucumbers from above.

When the plant grows in height, it is better to tie it up. The most convenient way is use trellises.

Gardeners' reviews

All the advantages and disadvantages are well known to those who have been growing this hybrid for years. It's recommended to familiarize yourself with them before planting to understand all the nuances.

Karina, Chelyabinsk

I've been planting this hybrid for two years now. I was pleased that the seeds didn't need to be prepared in advance—the grower did that for me. I planted them in greenhouses under plastic. The cucumbers are small, but they produce excellent fruit. I even preserved them in the smallest jars. I harvested them until October.

Love, Kaliningrad

I usually grow my own seeds, but last year I bought this hybrid variety. It's inexpensive. They grow in clusters, which is very convenient. Pollination is not required. I planted them both in the greenhouse and in the garden beds. I got a slightly larger harvest from the greenhouse, but the garden yield was also good. Juicy cucumbers, perfect for salads and pickling.

Oksana, Svetlogorsk

I planted them under plastic, and they sprouted fully. I was pleasantly surprised by their taste and aroma. They're very sensitive to acidic soil, though; I've added lime, but they still don't grow well there. They're easy to grow and produce fruit for a long time.

The hybrid has proven itself and is popular. Add attentiveness and genuine care to the greenery, and the plants will continue to bear fruit. There are plenty of cucumbers for pickling and salads!