Advantages of the hybrid cucumber variety "Mirabella f1"

The hybrid variety "Mirabella f1" is popular for its high yield, early maturity, and flavor. A parthenocarpic gherkin, its early stage was developed by Dutch breeders from Monsanto. It thrives in both greenhouses and open ground, and is immune to many diseases and adverse weather conditions. The fruits are suitable for fresh consumption, as a table decoration, for slicing, snacking, and canning.

Description of the variety

The Mirabella f1 plant, with medium-sized, dark green leaves and female flowers, does not require pollination by bees. The ovary is a cluster of 7-8 fruits. The bushes are vigorous, reaching a height of up to 5 m, with branches capable of supporting ripe cucumbers without breaking. Harvesting maturity occurs 40-45 days after the first shoots emerge. Under favorable conditions, the variety can bear fruit until almost mid-autumn and is immune to powdery mildew. varieties of white mosaic and cladosporiosis. However, 'Mirabella f1' does not tolerate night frosts well.

Fruit characteristics include:

• absence of bitterness;
• yield 20-24 kg/m²
• have an oval-cylindrical shape;
• length of vegetables 10-15 cm;
• diameter 3.5-4 cm;
• the weight of one cucumber reaches 110 g;
• color: green with a light shade at the stalk;
• rare, relative to their size, large tubercles with black spines.

The fruits ripen quickly and uniformly. They don't tend to grow wide or harden excessively. They store and transport well.

Preparing soil and seeds

Cucumber plants grow shallow roots, so they require fertile soil rich in micronutrients. Fertilization is used to achieve this. The soil is mixed with manure (20 kg), potassium chloride (10 g), and superphosphate (30 g) per square meter of soil. Excessive acidity is reduced by liming, thereby preventing the development of diseases. To obtain a better harvest, the soil is enriched with nitrogen.

For seedlings, soak the seeds in water for 24 hours in early May, then place them 10-15 cm apart in containers until the first shoots emerge. For better growth, planting in individual cups or peat pots is acceptable. The former method eliminates the risk of damaging the roots, while the latter allows for planting directly into the soil, which will provide additional nutrients during future growth.

It's recommended to place the seedlings in a well-lit area, such as a windowsill or a table with a lamp directed at the plants. Water them in the morning with warm water; tap water is acceptable, but it should be settled. The watered soil should have the consistency of a wet, non-sticky lump. After mass germination, stop watering for 2-3 days to allow the seedlings to strengthen, then resume. If there are heating appliances in the room, use humidifiers or place containers of water near the seedlings.

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Planting and care

Sowing in a greenhouse or open ground is carried out in late May - early June. Seeds or seedlings are planted at a depth of 2-3 cm, maintaining a distance of 40 cm between rows and 30 cm between plants. There should be no more than 2.5 plants per square meter. When planting directly, cover the soil with plastic wrap or a vapor barrier overnight until the first shoots appear. Soil temperature for planting seedlings should be above +15°C. This variety loves heat, so it is important that the daytime temperature before planting is at least +25°C.

To maintain healthy growth, it is recommended to carry out top dressing with ash infusion, using 2-3 tablespoons per 1 liter of water. Let the infusion sit for two weeks, then water the bushes with it, using 0.5 liters per bush. It's recommended to fertilize five times per season. Dry ash is also suitable as a fertilizer. Sprinkle it around the plants and water them. If, during growth, water doesn't penetrate the soil, carefully make a 10-15 cm deep hole near the bushes with a pitchfork. Water daily in the evening with warm, settled water (22-23°C) or rainwater.

Helpful tips

Vegetable garden plots and the crops they produce are subject to infections and insect attacks. The lion's share diseases and pests will allow you to avoid:

1. Digging up the soil in the fall, mixing it with compost or rotted manure.
2. Alternating the planting locations of vegetables, for example, planting tomatoes in place of cucumbers and vice versa.
3. Disinfect the greenhouse with a sulfur candle. To do this, light it and leave it for 24 hours, with the doors and windows closed. After this time, ventilate the greenhouse.
4. Treatment of working tools with alcohol or other disinfection methods.
5. Timely removal of weeds.
6. Burning old plants after harvesting at the end of the season.

Experience shows that parasitic insects cannot tolerate high humidity, so it's important to maintain the humidity level in the greenhouse. Simply placing a container of water will also help compensate for sudden temperature fluctuations.

Reviews

Peter

I was pleasantly surprised by the yield of this variety. It was abundant, and it continued to bear fruit until almost the end of September. The entire growing season proceeded without problems, but last season, two trunks died due to night frosts, so this is worth considering.

Valery

Mirabella produced delicious, crispy gherkins, and they were also perfect for pickling, as if the variety had been bred specifically for that purpose. Every day, a single plant yielded a plentiful supply of vegetables, and the plants never became ill.

Alina

Although 'Mirabella f1' is self-pollinating, this doesn't affect the taste. Growth is unnoticeable, fruiting frequently and continuing until autumn. I watered it infrequently, but mulched it with straw to prevent the soil from drying out.

With proper care and a proper growing approach, Mirabella f1 grows without problems. The sweet, firm, and crunchy fruits are perfect for pickling without creating air pockets. Furthermore, thanks to their early ripening, the harvest can be harvested daily. Furthermore, these cucumbers have an attractive appearance, making them ideal for garnishing the table or for slicing.