Cucumber variety "Vyatka f1": advantages of the hybrid and cultivation technology

The Vyatskiy F1 cucumber variety is a self-pollinating hybrid. It was bred for high-risk farming areas and is used in Russia's northern regions. It is suitable for greenhouses and open ground under plastic cover. It boasts high yields, rapid ripening, and excellent flavor. The fruit's flesh is firm and free of empty zones, and the skin is neither bitter nor yellows. It is ideal for fresh salads, canning, pickling, and pickling.

General characteristics

Thanks to vigorous growth and well-branched shoots, the bushes bear fruit until late autumn. It is resistant to many diseases common to other varieties:

• powdery mildew;
• olive spot;
• downy mildew;
• root rot;
• cucumber mosaic.

A bush with a cluster-shaped ovary. Its interlacing pattern is considered medium-sized. When growing it, attention must be paid to the development and formation of the main stem. Fruits:

• have a length of 10-12 cm;
• their diameter is 4-5 cm;
• average weight 130 g.

Flowering type: female, parthenocarpic (The ovary of the cucumber is formed without pollination by insects). There are 1-2 flowers with an ovary per node.

Growing

Seeds can be stored for up to five years without losing their germination capacity. They are tested using a salt solution. Good seeds will sink to the bottom, while empty ones will float to the surface.

To grow seedlings, seeds are germinated at a temperature of 24-28 ^OC, providing the necessary moisture and air access. After 2-3 days, the seeds germinate and are planted in peat pots.

Recommendations:

1. The optimum soil temperature for sowing seeds for seedlings is 23-25 ^OWITH.
2. The seeding depth is 1.5-2 cm.
3. After two weeks, the plants are fertilized with a solution of mullein or bird droppings. Fertilize again 2-3 days before planting.

Sowing seeds or 25-35 day old seedlings in open ground should be done in April, when the soil temperature reaches 12 ^OIf there is a risk of morning frost, it is recommended to cover the bed with plastic or geotextile. Planting density: 3 seedlings per 1 m²The soil should be prepared in the fall. It should be loosened to a depth of 15-20 cm (no more is needed, as the plant's roots won't grow any longer) and fertilized. High aeration is essential (add sawdust or leaves). The beds should be located on the sunny side of the plot and protected from the wind.

Formation

https://youtu.be/leHMHiB0V2U

If grown horizontally, no shaping is required. If cucumbers are grown vertically on the trellis, then, during the period when 9-10 full-fledged leaves are formed on the stem, it is necessary to remove excess shoots in order to avoid low yields.

The lower shoots bear little fruit, robbing the plant of most of its nutrients. Poor ventilation can also lead to stem rot. Therefore, it's necessary to prune the plant's lower 2-3 shoots. When the main stem reaches its maximum height, pinch off the upper leaves to prevent further growth.

Care and watering

Water every 2-3 days with warm water. A mature plant may require up to 6 liters of liquid. Watering is usually done in the evening. If the outside temperature is above 28°C (82°F), ^OIt is necessary to additionally spray the leaves of the plant using garden sprinklers in order to:

• prevent a decrease in turgor (the process of cell wilting and aging);
• eliminate the lack of fluid in the leaves.

If irrigation is arranged drip irrigation system, it must be set up correctly. Watering hoses must be looped to ensure even distribution and reach the farthest bushes, rather than leaking near the barrel, where the pressure is higher. Drip nozzles should be positioned no further than 5-7 cm from the trunk.

During flower ripening, additional fertilizing is recommended, combined with watering: 1 liter of manure or 10 g of urea per 10 liters of water. Mineral fertilizers are also permitted.

Therefore, weeds should not be pulled out. They should be cut with pruning shears at ground level, without damaging or injuring the plant's lateral roots.

Creating favorable conditions

The Vyatka F1 variety is unpretentious. But, like any plant, it requires favorable growing conditions. Cucumbers prefer:

• humus-rich soil;
• warm (over 20 ^OC) and humid (85–90%) air.

When there's a lack of water in the soil and air, cucumbers often stop growing. This often happens during cool weather. If the cold weather continues for a long time, the plant wilts and can become susceptible to root and stem rot.

When watered with cool water or due to temperature fluctuations between day and night, cucumbers may become narrower in the middle. Inconsistent watering can also cause cucumbers to become distorted and misshapen.

To protect Vyatskoye from diseases and pests, strong chemicals are not recommended, as the rapid ripening of the fruit increases toxicity. After such treatment, cucumbers can only be harvested after a 20-day break.

After planting in the ground, immediately protect the leaves from slugs by covering them with cut-off plastic bottles or glass jars. Diseases can develop when there's excess moisture in the air. At the first sign of ill health, you should:

• dry the soil around the bushes;
• cover it with ashes;
• ventilate the greenhouse;
• stop watering.

Remove affected leaves and treat healthy ones with a potassium permanganate solution. Ridomil can also be used, but in this case, harvesting will have to be delayed for at least three weeks.

In rainy weather, when soil and air humidity exceed 80-85%, bacterial blight may develop. Stop watering and ventilate the greenhouse well. Add additional fertilizer with a manure infusion. In high humidity and sudden temperature fluctuations, watering with cold water, or stagnant air due to overcrowding, Vyatka may be susceptible to white rot. Remove affected fruits and leaves. Treat the bush with a potassium permanganate solution and dust with ash.

Fertilize Vyatka F1 according to the plant's needs:

1. If there is a lack of nitrogen, the plant's leaves will be too small and light green, and the end of the fruit will become lighter, bending and narrowing. Fertilize the cucumbers with solutions of manure, urea or saltpeter.
2. A potassium deficiency will manifest itself as a brown border on the leaves, and the tips of the fruits will be swollen, making them pear-shaped - sprinkle ash around the stems.
3. If there's a micronutrient deficiency, the leaves will turn yellow-green. Feed with onion peel infusion, chicken manure, or iodine (15 drops per 10 liters of water).
4. If there's a magnesium deficiency, the leaves will take on a marbled color. Treat the soil with a dolomite solution.
5. If cucumbers begin to taste bitter, they need to be fed with calcium and potassium nitrate. This occurs due to the accumulation of cucurbitacin (a substance that protects the body from tumors) during sudden temperature changes or prolonged cold spells, cold watering, or uneven watering. Although cucurbitacin is very beneficial, not everyone will want to eat bitter cucumbers.

It's not recommended to wash cucumbers before storing them. Many fruits emit ethylene, which accelerates ripening, so cucumbers should be stored separately from other fruits and vegetables, such as apples, bananas, peaches, pears, and tomatoes. The most common method is to carefully place cucumbers in plastic vegetable storage trays, ensuring good ventilation, without damaging the skin. For better air circulation, when storing cucumbers in wooden or cardboard boxes, you can place newspaper or cloth between the cucumbers.

At room temperature, Vyatskiy F1 cucumbers will stay fresh for 5-7 days. When the temperature drops to 6 ^OThe shelf life doubles. If you need to preserve freshness until mid-winter, it's best to use a vacuum sealer or vacuum containers.

Reviews

Vyatskiy F1 cucumbers are excellent for both fresh eating and canning. They are also an effective garden crop.

Svetlana, 42 years old

I love experimenting and grow different varieties in my greenhouse. This year, I decided to try the Vyatka variety. I planted seedlings on the windowsill. Of the 15 seeds, three didn't sprout. Before the May holidays, I transplanted the seedlings into the greenhouse. The cucumbers survived the cold and rainy summer much better than other varieties. I had to tend and feed them, but every 2-3 days there was a steady harvest.

Maria, 33 years old

I've been growing this variety for several years now. I've been enjoying delicious, crisp, fresh cucumbers all summer long. They're also great for pickling and canning. You need to preserve the cucumbers whole; if you cut them, they become watery and less crisp.

Olga, 44 years old

I went five years without cucumbers. This year we bought another greenhouse. We planted tomatoes in the new one, and one pepper bed and two cucumbers in the old one. In total, we had three rows of 6 meters each. We were full to the brim. We were harvesting the last few in October.

Vyatskiy F1 cucumbers help cleanse the intestines and remove excess fluid from the body. Due to their hypoallergenic properties, they are suitable for any diet. They help with constipation and cystitis. They are suitable for growing both outdoors and indoors in the Central European part of Russia, and thrive in a moderate continental climate.