Description and characteristics of the Rodnichok f1 cucumber variety: planting and care

The Rodnichok F1 cucumber is a mid-season hybrid that has become the genetic source of powdery mildew resistance for other varieties. Both the description and reviews highlight positive qualities such as self-pollination and high yields, which can be achieved by following standard planting and care guidelines. With little effort, you can harvest about 17 kg of regularly shaped fruit from 1 m2, as shown in the photo.

Rodnichok F1: Biological Description and History

The hybrid's creator is A. A. Mashkov, an employee of the Transnistrian Research Institute of Agriculture. The variety was developed in 1974, when an application for inclusion in the State Register of Breeding Achievements of the then USSR was submitted. Variety trials were conducted over a period of five years, with successful results. "Rodnichok" was included in the register in 1979 as the first hybrid with immunity to powdery mildew that could be grown in a greenhouse or hotbed. This cucumber is cultivated worldwide. However, official sources recommend its cultivation in the Northern, Northwestern, Volga-Vyatka, North Caucasus, Middle Volga, and Ural regions.

Bushes

A determinate plant. The central stem does not exceed 3 m in length. Branching is moderate. Up to five lateral shoots develop during the growing season. The root system is extensive and shallow. The serrated leaves are intensely green. During budding, 2-3 flowers, usually female, form at the nodes. Pollination by bees is not required—there are no sterile flowers.

Fruit

Cylindrical, light-green fruits form in the leaf axils where the flowers once stood. The thin but strong skin is marked with white stripes on the sides. The cucumbers are uniform and require no grading. Black spines are scattered throughout the fruit. The flesh is juicy, crisp, and has a distinctive cucumber aroma. Commercial gherkins:

• length – 9-12 cm;
• weight – 90-100 g.

Features and specifications

The cucumbers ripen 50-55 days after germination. This timeframe qualifies the hybrid as mid-season. It is the first hybrid to be immune to powdery mildew. It is also tolerant of many other fungal diseases that thrive in high humidity, such as gray mold and downy mildew. The hybrid is completely devoid of bitterness and remains resistant to bitterness even in drought conditions.

Productivity, taste, purpose

This hybrid was bred for greenhouses, where it demonstrates its highest yield. With proper care, approximately 25 kg can be harvested from 1 m² of space. In open ground, this figure is more modest. However, with proper cultivation practices and even in such conditions, 10-15 kg can be harvested. "Rodnichok" cucumbers have an excellent flavor and crisp flesh. Due to the high cost of the cucumbers, due to their greenhouse cultivation, and their long shelf life, the fruits are eaten fresh. However, when preserved, they retain their flavor and crunch, making them ideal for pickling.

Advantages and disadvantages

Despite the emergence of many new, promising varieties and hybrids, the Moldovan "Rodnichok F1" maintains its position as a leader. It boasts a long list of advantages. Only one drawback is noted: the inability to sow self-collected seeds.

Table: Pros and cons of a hybrid

Sowing cucumbers

Regardless of ripening time, hybrid, or variety, the quantity and quality of the harvest directly depend on sowing technology, seed preparation, and site selection (soil, preceding crops, light). Although "Rodnichok F1" is resistant to specific cucumber diseases, it should not be grown after cucurbits, as it also harbors a pest called melon aphid.

Site selection and soil treatment

Cucumbers of any variety, including the Rodnichok hybrid, should be part of a garden crop rotation. The best predecessors are nightshades, legumes, and cruciferous crops. Rodnichok grows well in sunny areas with a neutral soil pH. The soil should be loose and fertile. This can be achieved by preparing the soil in the fall, digging the soil to a depth of one and a half spadefuls and adding organic matter (compost, humus). If necessary, when the soil is highly acidic, lime it using dolomite flour. The application rate is ½ kg/m².

Preparation of seed material

If seeds are purchased from large producers, additional treatment is generally not necessary. This is indicated by the seed coat. If the coat is missing, the seeds are disinfected by soaking them in a manganese solution for about 20 minutes.

The water should be hot (50°C), which stimulates rapid germination. Growth stimulants can also be added to the solution, which also boosts the immunity of future seedlings.

Technology and timing of sowing

14 days before field work, when seeds are sown directly into the beds (the soil must warm up to 15 °C), additional phosphorus and potassium are added.

'Rodnichok' responds very well to these macronutrients. Here's the sowing sequence:

1. The furrows are made 10 cm deep with a row spacing of 60 cm.
2. If necessary, install trellises.
3. 2-3 seeds are thrown into the holes at a distance of 30 cm.
4. The seeds are covered and the beds are covered with mulch.

Caring for the crop

Determinate plants are easy to care for in greenhouses. However, when grown outdoors, unstable weather weakens the plant's immunity, resulting in reduced yields. To maintain healthy plants, they require regular care, including watering, fertilizing, and soil cultivation. Since stem growth is limited, shaping is only necessary when grown on a trellis.

Watering

Moisten the soil immediately after the surface layer dries out. This helps maintain optimal moisture levels, which ensures juicy and sweet fruits. If moisture levels are insufficient, the cucumbers will not be bitter, but their marketability may be slightly affected by slight deformation and rough skin.

Soil treatment

Vegetable crops have a shallow root system. This is the main reason why loosening is carried out to a depth of no more than 3 cm. Although the gardening tool is inserted so shallowly, it helps break up the air-tight crust and ensure free oxygen access to the roots. Weeds are also removed during this process, which is carried out after irrigation or rainfall. To extend the interval between loosening, the tree trunks are covered with mulch.

Bush formation

This procedure is used on plants grown vertically. When the central shoot reaches the top of the trellis, it is folded over several times and pinched. Lateral shoots also require growth inhibition to ensure intensive fruiting. They are pinched above the third node. In open ground, when grown horizontally, the bushes are not trained, but allowed to grow freely.

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Protection from diseases and pests

The main threat to this disease-resistant hybrid is melon aphid. To protect against this pest, the first step is to eliminate the ants that protect it by feeding on the substance it secretes—honeydew. An insecticide is an effective aphid control. However, it should not be used after flowering. At this time, it is better to use a biological product or a folk remedy.

Top dressing

For intensive fruiting cucumbers are nourished with nutrientsNitrogen is added to stimulate shoot growth during the first feeding, 14 days after germination. During budding and flowering, superphosphate and potassium sulfate are added to promote flowering and fruit set. To prolong fruiting, the bushes are fed with wood ash.

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Harvesting and storage

The fruits should be picked immediately after reaching technical maturity. This occurs on the 50th to 55th day. Harvesting is carried out every two days, sorting out any defective fruits or those affected by disease or pests. The optimal time for harvesting is early morning or evening, after sunset. The fruits must be carefully placed in boxes to avoid mechanical damage.

Once the fruits are in their containers, they are stored in a cool place. A small number of cucumbers can be placed in a perforated container in the refrigerator. If there are large quantities of fruits, a cool, well-ventilated basement is the best place. Before storing, treat the walls of the room with a fungicide or lime to kill any fungus from previously stored plant products.

Reviews

Marina, Saratov

At our farm, "Rodnichok F1" is the top-performing variety. Despite the time and effort required to grow the crop, the income from the cucumbers sold makes up for it. Despite their high price (compared to other varieties), they're practically sold out.

Alexander, Astrakhan

I've been growing the Rodnichok hybrid for five years. In the open ground, I've noticed one important pattern: a lack of moisture leads to rough skin. In the greenhouse, due to the higher humidity, this doesn't happen. Having noticed this drawback, I improved my watering, and I haven't had any further problems with the Rodnichok hybrid.

Oleg, Ivanovo

I tried growing these cucumbers using seedlings for a year. The seedlings took a long time to establish, and although I got an early harvest, it was meager. Now I sow the seeds under plastic. Thanks to the cover, the "Rodnichok F1" cucumbers are ready for harvest only a week later. The yield is high.

"Rodnichok F1" is a hybrid with excellent taste and marketable appearance. Even in a small greenhouse, you can produce a bountiful harvest of cucumbers, which are highly sought after by consumers.