Cucumber variety Zozulya f1: description and characteristics, reviews

Cucumbers

Zozulya F1 is a hybrid developed by specialists at the V.I. Edelstein Breeding Station. It was added to the Russian Federation State Register in 1977. The variety's characteristics and description indicate that it is recommended for cultivation in all regions of the country. The hybrid was created for cultivation in equipped greenhouses with heating and irrigation systems. In such cases, the regional climate is irrelevant. However, this doesn't mean cucumbers can't be planted in a homemade greenhouse. Many do just that. Furthermore, in southern regions, Zozulya is grown outdoors. Photos and reviews from farmers show that such experiments are proving successful.

General characteristics

Zozulya F1 was developed by crossing European and Asian varieties. It is characterized by its early maturity. The first harvest can be collected 50 days after planting. The bushes are large, with medium-length vines. When grown in greenhouses, it requires support. Flowers form first in the leaf axils, followed by ovaries, which are arranged in clusters.

The main stem is medium-sized. Branching is weak and does not require pinching, as few side shoots grow and they do not affect yield. The plant's leaves are large and rich green. The bushes are shade-tolerant, a characteristic not only of Zozulya F1 but also of many other hybrids intended for greenhouse cultivation. The plant is easy to care for and tolerates weather changes. It responds well to mineral fertilizers.

The yield is high. A greenhouse yield of 8-15 kg can be harvested per square meter, and a full 40 kg over the entire season. When grown outdoors, these yields are more modest. Marketable yield in this case reaches 85%. The fruits are cylindrical, reaching 15-25 cm in length and weighing 150-300 g. The skin is thin, slightly bumpy, and covered with light, faintly visible spines. The color of the vegetable is dark green. Its skin has barely noticeable light stripes. The fruit has a pleasant flavor, without bitterness.

Attention!

The plant is partially parthenocarpic, meaning pollination is not necessary for fruit set, although it can increase yield.

The Zozulya F1 variety is a salad variety. It can be eaten raw or added to salads, or used in appetizers. However, it is not suitable for pickling or preserving. This will cause it to become soft and its flavor will be impaired. Smaller gherkins can be pickled, but they will still not be as crisp as gherkins.

Sustainability, advantages and disadvantages

Zozulya, like all hybrids, has good phytoimmunity. However, it's not 100% resistant to pests and diseases. Here are some challenges a farmer might encounter when growing cucumbers:

Ascochyta blight. Water-soaked spots with black dots appear on the stems and petioles of leaves. The stems themselves dry out and become spongy. The leaf blades become covered with brown spots with dark dots. Ventilating the greenhouse and treating the plants with fungicides can help prevent ascochyta blight. Burning affected plants is recommended.
Anthracnose. Round brown spots appear on the leaves, and sunken areas of the same color appear on the stem. The fruit develops a bitter taste and begins to rot. Prevention is the same as for ascochyta blight.
Aphids. These black or green insects, although small, are easy to spot. They cause leaf bumps and curling. In severe cases, plant growth may be stunted. These pests can be controlled with insecticides such as Arrivo or Decis.
Powdery mildew. A white coating appears on the leaves, gradually spreading to cover the entire surface and darkening. The vegetable becomes unsightly and bitter. Seed treatment, greenhouse disinfection, spraying with fungicides, and maintaining a favorable microclimate can help prevent powdery mildew.
Bacterial blight. Angular brown spots appear on the plant's leaves, which subsequently develop holes. The fruits themselves become distorted. Excessive fluid accumulates inside them, and ulcers form on the surface. Bacterial blight can be prevented by treating the seeds, controlling the temperature and humidity in the greenhouse, and spraying the plant with Bordeaux mixture (dissolving 10 grams of lime and the same amount of copper sulfate in 1 liter of water).
Downy mildew. Yellow spots and a purple coating appear on the leaves. The leaf blades themselves turn inward and dry out. The disease can be prevented by treating the seed, using fungicides, and regulating the microclimate in the greenhouse.

Attention!

Seeds collected from the harvested crop are not suitable for planting. They must be purchased anew each year.

Overall, the Zozulya F1 variety has more advantages than disadvantages. The advantages include high yields, early maturity, excellent fruit flavor, and the ability to be grown outdoors and in greenhouses. The disadvantages include its demanding soil conditions (it must be as fertile as possible) and the need for regular watering and fertilizing.

Greenhouse cultivation

Cucumbers can be grown from seeds or seedlings. For the plant to thrive and ultimately yield a bountiful harvest, special soil is needed – a mixture of peat, humus, and turf in a ratio of 2:32:20. This mixture should be 25 cm or more thick. Then, to prevent pests from infesting the soil, it needs to be disinfected. To do this, you can dissolve 3 grams of potassium permanganate in a bucket of water and water the soil with the resulting solution, or sprinkle mustard on the soil and then loosen the soil. Special chemical powders can also be used for this purpose. However, some believe that they can affect the nutritional value of the fruit.

When purchasing seeds, pay attention to the packaging date and expiration date. A couple of days before planting, place them in a damp cloth. This is necessary for sprouts to emerge. Next, dig holes, spaced approximately 40 cm apart. When planting seeds in rows, it's important to ensure they are at least half a meter apart. The greenhouse temperature at the time of planting should be 25-27°C. Carefully spread the seeds, cover with a thin layer of soil, and water. Seedlings can be planted in a similar manner. However, in this case, the holes should be deeper to allow the roots to establish.

During the growth and development period, it's important to ensure the bush is growing properly, tying it with soft ropes (hard ones can damage the stem) and removing excess leaves. Zozulya F1 is convenient because it doesn't branch much; it has a main stem that needs to be trained upwards using special trellises. If more than six fruits have formed in the ovary, the excess should be removed. Otherwise, they won't develop normally and will interfere with other fruits. Constantly monitor the soil moisture. Water the plant with room-temperature water. However, it's important to avoid spilling liquid on the leaves, as this increases the risk of various diseases.

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To ensure a bountiful harvest, it's important to fertilize cucumbers on a timely basis. This is essential regardless of whether they're grown in a greenhouse or outdoors. The first fertilization should be done 15-18 days after planting, the second during flowering, and the third during fruiting (this will extend the plant's productive life). The soil should be constantly loosened to allow oxygen to reach the roots. Weeds should be removed promptly to prevent them from choking the crop.

Attention!

Agronomists recommend alternating mineral fertilizers with organic ones.

Growing in open ground

You can also sow seeds or plant seedlings in open ground. Experts recommend the former option, as it's less problematic. It's best to plant in the second half of May, when the soil has warmed up sufficiently. In this case, the soil should be dug, then fertilized and thoroughly loosened. Generally, planting cucumbers in open ground is no different from planting them in greenhouses. Keep in mind that the Zozulya F1 variety thrives on moisture, so it needs to be watered regularly. This is especially important in hot weather when there has been no precipitation for a long time. The best time to water the soil is morning and evening.

Plants should be protected from direct sunlight. To achieve this, they can be covered with garden fabric or tall plants (such as corn) can be planted between the rows. However, planting under trees is not recommended, as they will absorb most of the moisture. Cucumbers should not be planted in areas where squash was recently grown. Plants grown outdoors are more vulnerable to disease, so they should be inspected regularly.

The fruits should be picked every 1-2 days. This must be done carefully to avoid damaging the stems. Scissors can be used for this. Trim off any yellowed leaves along the way. Avoid overripening the fruits, as this will ruin their flavor. Do not throw away the vegetables during harvesting. Rough handling can cause damage and rapid spoilage. Do not overwater the vegetables. It's best to store them in a cool, dark place near a container of water. The shelf life of cucumbers stored in these conditions is 6-8 days.

Reviews

Boris, 58 years old

I planted Zozulya outdoors at the end of May. It's a low-maintenance plant. Initially, I watered it every 2-3 days with warm water to help the cucumbers adapt to their new environment, then set up a drip irrigation system. After that, I watered the soil no more than once every 4-5 days. The yield was impressive. I harvested about 15 kg of vegetables per square meter. I noticed one trend: the more frequently I harvested, the faster the new cucumbers grew and formed. So, I try to do this daily.

Olga, 32 years old

I planted cucumbers under plastic cover in the first weeks of spring. The germination rate was excellent. Seventeen of the 20 seeds germinated. I like that the shoots produce a lot of fruit. This allows me to not only eat the vegetables at home but also sell them at the market. The taste is pleasant, without any bitterness. Last year, we used Epin, which stimulated the growth of green mass and increased the yield. I believe Zozulya F1 is the most suitable variety for cold regions, where cucumbers can only be grown under plastic cover.

Although the Zozulya F1 variety was invented several decades ago, it remains the choice of many farmers. It's best grown in a greenhouse, as this will maximize yields. To ensure good growth and development, as well as long-lasting fruit production, proper care and timely disease prevention are essential. The vegetables are healthy, tasty, and attractive, so selling them is hassle-free.