Temp f1 cucumber variety: description and characteristics, reviews

Cucumbers

Among the numerous parthenocarpic hybrids, the Temp F1 cucumber, developed by Semko Junior, has proven itself to be a popular choice. Its description and photo, along with its excellent characteristics, attract both amateur gardeners and commercial farmers. Reviews from various regions are generally positive, noting that Temp quickly adapts to various climatic conditions.

Description of the variety

The Temp F1 hybrid is a short-fruited cucumber, bred to produce high-quality early cucumbers (gherkins and pickles). It was developed by the Semko Junior agricultural firm (Moscow), known for producing varieties and hybrids such as Paratunka F1, Semcross F1, and Kotor F1. Temp F1 was registered in the State Register in 2006.

Recommended for cultivation in seven regions of Russia, including the Northern, Northwestern, and Middle Volga regions. Considered one of the best domestically bred gherkin cucumber hybrids, it is among the leading varieties for canning.

Characteristics of the Temp F1 cucumber

The bushes are indeterminate, with small lateral shoots and an open habit. The leaves are few and branching is weak. The foliage is bright green, with slightly wrinkled blades.

Tempo F1 produces clustered ovaries and a female flowering type. Three to five ovaries are present at the nodes, and the interlacing pattern makes it a cucumber with limited branching. This greatly simplifies care, making gherkin cucumbers recommended for beginning gardeners.

Note!

Providing greenhouse plants with maximum light increases the clustering of cucumbers. The largest number of ovaries forms in the upper tier of the plant.

This hybrid variety is early-ripening; harvest timing depends on the stage at which the cucumbers are picked. Pickles are 3-5 cm in size and ripen as early as 36-38 days after full germination. The first batch of gherkins (up to 7 cm) can be harvested in 40-44 days.

The cucumbers are short, no more than 9 cm long, and have a perfect oval shape. All the fruits are uniform, with a dense but thin skin, and are bumpy. The spines are small and white. The color is dark green with whitish stripes. On average, the cucumbers weigh no more than 90-100 grams. The oval cucumbers are green with stripes, and of medium density.

The flesh is juicy, dense, and crisp. There are no hollows or seeds inside. The flavor is pleasant, "cucumber-like," without bitterness. This lack of bitterness is a genetic trait, so even if the harvesting of Tempa cucumbers is delayed, the fruits do not become bitter, do not turn yellow, and do not become overgrown.

The hybrid's primary use is for canning, pickling, and preparing all kinds of marinades. Gardeners note the excellent taste of salted, pickled, and canned gherkins, as well as the fruit's full shape and crispness. The cucumbers are suitable for transportation and have a good shelf life.

Advantages and disadvantages of a hybrid

The Semko Junior cucumber is popular; hybrid seeds are constantly in demand in specialty stores.

Advantages of the variety:

early harvest dates;
good taste;
due to limited branching, the plant is much easier to care for;
high yield rates (up to 10 kg of pickles and 18-20 kg of gherkins are harvested from 1 square meter – in closed ground);
complex resistance to diseases (cladosporiosis, powdery mildew);
rapid adaptation to various weather anomalies and stresses.

The hybrid tolerates short-term cold spells well, is drought-resistant, and does not drop flowers or ovaries during prolonged cloudy weather. Additional advantages include a simplified planting pattern, cluster-type ovary formation, and the ability to be planted both indoors and outdoors (in the south).

Flaws:

the need to purchase seeds annually, since first generation hybrids do not collect seed material for planting;
high cost of seeds;
nutritional requirements if you plan to get the cucumbers in bunches.

Regarding the high cost, many gardeners note that the investment is fully recouped when the harvest ripens. Tempo F1 lives up to its name, producing abundant and long-lasting fruit.

Growing cucumber Temp F1

Recommended for greenhouse planting (film, polycarbonate), as it fully realizes its potential under protected conditions with adequate nutrition. In risky farming areas, greenhouse cultivation accelerates the time to early gherkin production.

Growing seedlings

Due to the climate in most regions of Russia, cucumbers are grown from seedlings. Sowing dates are calculated based on the local climate and weather, as well as the intended planting location (under cover or in open-air beds).

Approximate planting dates:

in the middle zone - in April (for planting in greenhouses in May), at the beginning of May - for planting in beds;
in the south - directly from seeds in April-May into open ground;
in Siberia and the Urals - at the end of April for planting in greenhouses, at the beginning of May - for planting in open-air beds.

Plastic cups, peat pellets, and pots are used for planting. The plant does not tolerate transplanting well, and root system damage can cause poor establishment. Therefore, the best option is to plant seedlings directly in pots (using peat) or by transferring them from plastic containers.

Semko Junior's hybrids are sold pre-treated, so no soaking or disinfection is required. They are sown directly into the soil mixture and, once seedlings emerge, moved to a bright location.

The ideal growing temperature for seedlings is approximately 20ºC to 23ºC. Water regularly, avoiding overwatering or drying out the soil. Cucumber seedlings typically do not require additional feeding, as the seeds are sown in a fertile soil mixture. However, if necessary, ready-made seedling mixes such as Agricola or Kemira Lux can be used. Cucumbers are planted in their permanent location as soon as the soil warms up (14ºC to 15ºC). Three to four Temp F1 cucumber plants are planted per square meter.

Agricultural technology of the crop

When growing, use the traditional scheme:

watering;
weeding;
loosening;
application of fertilizers.

For cluster hybrids, bush formation is essential, but since this cucumber has limited branching, care is simple.

Cucumbers thrive on moisture, but overwatering and high humidity are harmful to the crop, creating conditions conducive to the development of various fungal infections. Before flowering, water 1-1.5 liters per plant; from flowering to the beginning of fruiting, increase the watering rate to 4-5 liters.

For greenhouse cucumbers, it is recommended to set up drip irrigation systems; if these are not available, water in furrows and between rows to avoid exposing the plant roots to water.

Mulching the spaces between rows with chopped straw, hay, sawdust, or peat produces good results. Water in the morning or late afternoon, avoiding moisture getting on the leaves, ovaries, and fruits of the cucumbers.

Parthenocarpic bunch cucumbers require regular feeding. Cucumbers thrive on organic matter, so during the initial growing season, they are fed with diluted cow manure and poultry manure. From the second half of the growing season, phosphorus and potassium (monopotassium phosphate, superphosphate, and wood ash) predominate in fertilizers. This improves the fruit's flavor, increases ovary formation, and enhances the plant's resistance to adverse weather conditions. Among folk remedies, a good fertilizer for cucumbers is a yeast solution (applied once a season with the addition of ash) and herbal infusions.

Gardeners also use chelated fertilizers, which contain beneficial macro- and micronutrients for the crop. These formulations not only provide additional nutrition but also protect cucumbers from infection.

The Temp F1 hybrid is a cucumber with limited branching. Lateral branches form shortened internodes. Basic bush training techniques:

blinding of ovaries and flowers in the lower part of the central shoot (up to 4 nodes);
pinching the shoots up to 50-60 cm in height along the stem (leaving a leaf and 1 ovary);
pinching shoots from half a meter to 1.5 meters (leaving 2 leaves and two ovaries).

When the central stem reaches the trellis, it is draped over a rope or wire and secured. After about 10-20 cm, the stem is pinched to allow lateral shoots to grow.

Disease prevention

The hybrid is genetically engineered to offer comprehensive resistance to a number of common crop diseases. Temp F1 successfully resists cladosporiosis and powdery mildew. It is also noted to be resistant to downy mildew and cucumber mosaic virus.

To prevent infections, follow watering guidelines, avoid overwatering, and apply mulch. Biopreparations (Gamair, Fitosporin), boric acid solutions, and whey solutions are effective. Regularly inspect the bushes, paying attention to the condition of the plants, the appearance of any spots, or slow growth.

Picking cucumbers

The first harvests take place after 36-38 days, depending on the weather and nutrition. The fruits are harvested at the gherkin or pickle stage. Cucumbers of this hybrid do not overgrow or turn yellow. However, to stimulate subsequent ovary formation and increase the yield, it is recommended to harvest the fruits every 2-3 days, and daily during peak fruiting.

Cucumbers harvested for pickling and canning are best processed the same day to better preserve their flavor. Store in cool conditions for up to 7-8 days without losing their appearance or flavor.

Reviews

Alexander, Armavir

We've been growing Tempo for three years and have no plans to give it up. It's an excellent cucumber with firm fruits and a wonderful flavor. I love pickled cucumbers, and this hybrid is perfect for marinades and pickling. It doesn't dent in jars, retains its shape, firmness, and crunch. It's easy to care for and grows quickly, though some fruit may drop during drought.

Andrey, Moscow region

They prefer only Russian-bred cucumbers, although there was a time when we didn't have any good varieties. I almost never grow bee-pollinated cucumbers; I only plant self-pollinated ones as seedlings. Temp is one of my favorites because it starts bearing quickly and rarely gets sick. The fruits are white-spined, and although they're said to be good for salads, these are specifically for canning. I pick them when they're young, before they're more than 5 cm long. I salt them in barrels and preserve them in 3- and 5-liter jars. The selection is excellent; they sell out quickly at the market. The preserves look very beautiful. I don't salt much for myself, but in winter I eat everything, and this hybrid is the tastiest.

Elizaveta, Gatchina

We've had a really cold and rainy summer this year. But I'm already harvesting cucumbers, and the Temp variety is producing the best fruit. They're small, slightly prickly, and very firm. I'm canning them, even though it's a bit early, but the weather isn't cooperating. What if August gets really cold, and the cucumbers stop growing? This is my fifth year growing Temp, and I have no complaints. I always look for seeds in advance and only buy them from the store, knowing they're selling quality. This variety doesn't require any special care; I do the usual—water, feed them with grass (infused in a container), and trim off any excess shoots. But this cucumber doesn't have many side shoots, so even if I miss one, it's no big deal—it'll still produce fruit. I grow them in a greenhouse, tying each bush to ropes, and they grow up to the crossbar.

It's no coincidence that the parthenocarpic hybrid Temp F1 is popular among gardeners and farmers across the country. It boasts an early harvest, easy care, cluster-type ovary formation, and resistance to diseases and adverse environmental factors. With Temp, you'll have a harvest in any season.