Characteristics and advantages of the cucumber variety "Kumanek f1"

Cucumbers

The Kumanek F1 cucumber is an early-ripening variety that is pollinated by bees. It is suitable for any climate, including arid ones. Cucumbers require little care, frequent watering, and full sun. They thrive in both cool and cloudy weather. The variety's distinctive features include rapid germination, abundant yield, and early ripening.

General characteristics

The leaves are a bright green, distinct from the standard dark green of other varieties. The bushes are low, often dense and branched. The cucumber is cylindrical in shape, tapering toward the tip. The stem is firm and requires little support in the garden bed. The length of the fruit usually does not exceed 15 cm, with a standard size of 12-14 cm. A ripe cucumber weighs 90-100 g. The bush grows up to 1.7 m in height and has many branches.

Please note!

The variety is not susceptible to powdery mildew, so it can be grown both in greenhouses and outdoors without fear of disease.

The cucumber flesh is not bitter, the seeds are small, and the fruit is juicy and void-free. The ovaries form in clusters, and several cucumbers grow in a cluster, usually 4-5.

The hybrid responds well to shaping. This should be done quickly, before the bush takes its final shape. Plants should not be planted too close together, and the stems should be supported to ensure their growth is directed upward.

The advantages of the variety include:

high productivity;
active branching of bushes;
weather resistance, the variety is not afraid of wind and rain;
independent pollination system (bees);
protection against diseases (cucumber mosaic, downy mildew, cucumber rot);
two ripening periods - early and mid-season.

However, some gardeners have also noticed a drawback: long-term storage (more than 7 days) causes a loss of original appearance. The taste remains unchanged, but cucumbers stored for a long time are no longer suitable for sale.

Seed treatment

The main distinguishing feature of this variety is that the seeds must be treated before planting. This is necessary to improve germination and disinfect them. First, carefully inspect all the seeds and remove any damaged ones. The remaining seeds should be placed in a flat container, preferably a saucer, and then processed.

Advice!

To ensure that cucumbers produce stronger shoots, carry out the hardening process.

There are several methods for treating seeds. The most popular include:

potassium permanganate solution;
honey;
aloe juice.

A weak solution of potassium permanganate will help strengthen the seeds' resistance to infectious and fungal diseases and spores. For best results, soak the seeds in the solution for at least three days. The water should be pink. After three days, remove the seeds and rinse under running water. Most commercially grown seeds are already treated, so the soaking time can be reduced to just one day.

A solution of water and honey helps stimulate active plant growth and strengthen the seeds. Cut aloe leaves and wrap them in paper. Then, place them in the freezer for a few days. Then, squeeze out the juice, dilute it with warm water, and place the seeds in the freezer.

You can use the standard method for sprouting seedlings. Place the seeds on a damp cloth or gauze, then place a lightweight, breathable cloth on top. You can cover the seeds with gauze or a bandage folded in several layers. Keep the cloth moist, periodically wetting it with water. Avoid overwatering, or the seeds will float. The seeds should sprout within 3-4 days. Any seeds that haven't sprouted within this time should be discarded.

Preparing seedlings

By preparing seedlings, you can see results two weeks earlier than by planting seeds in the ground without any preparation. However, there are several important points to consider:

Preparation. First, place one seed at a time in a glass or small pot. When the air temperature warms up to 15-16 ^OC – the plant can be planted in a common container. Experienced gardeners use peat pots for seedlings, which allows them to be planted directly into the garden without repotting, thus reducing stress on the plant. After planting, cover the seedlings with plastic wrap to maintain the temperature.
Light. The Kumanek variety doesn't require much sun and tolerates poor weather very well. However, this doesn't mean the fruit doesn't need sunlight at all. Prolonged lack of light makes the cucumber stem brittle and weak. It won't produce enough fruit because it will use up all the nutrients needed for its own growth.
Watering. Avoid overwatering, especially in cool weather. The soil should always remain slightly moist. Mist the leaves and top of the plant with a spray bottle to prevent the plant from drying out. In cool and late afternoons, the water should be warm to prevent the roots from over-chilling.
Soil. For planting the Kumanek variety, choose light, loose soil. Cucumbers require additional nutrition in the form of fertilizer or a vitamin supplement. In poor soil, the hybrid will not thrive and will become capricious, the stem will become brittle, and the leaves will turn yellow. A good drainage system is essential for this variety. Change the planting location every five years.

For good growth, plants need plenty of oxygen. In greenhouse conditions, this isn't always an easy task.

Advice!

Begin by loosening the soil. This will improve oxygen availability and retain surface moisture. Do this at least twice a week to maintain the plant's health.

The main feature of this variety is its ease of pollination. To attract bees, plant flowers, preferably calendula, near the cucumbers. With ample watering and vitamin supplements, you can see the growth of not only the plants but also their main enemies—weeds. Weeds should be monitored and removed promptly.

Some tips for beginners on fertilizing soil:

Pour liquid manure with a vitamin complex under the roots and cover the bed with compost.
Divide the bed into rows and place furrows at regular intervals. These holes will become the fertilizer placement sites. This way, some of the fertilizer will remain in the roots, while the rest will remain on the surface. You can also place the fertilizer on top. When watered, it will sink into the soil and provide vitamins to the roots.
Fertilizers must be combined (mineral and organic).
The fertilizer should be used once or twice a week.

Harvest when the fruit reaches 14 cm. However, it can be harvested earlier, when the fruit reaches 10-12 cm. The cucumber will be called a gherkin, but will retain its flavor and appearance.

Diseases

Although the variety is resistant to and immune to many diseases, if not properly cared for, the Kumanek variety is susceptible to root rot. Symptoms of this disease include:

the ovary falls off;
the leaves turn yellow;
the bush begins to dry out.

If similar symptoms are detected, treatment is necessary. Pests and infections can be controlled using biological agents, such as Baktofit or Integral. Seeds can also be treated before planting.

Note!

The Kumanek variety tolerates long-term storage and transportation well.

Storing cucumbers properly is also essential. Choose a cool, dark place, away from drafts and direct sunlight.

Reviews

As many gardeners note, the Kumanek variety's primary use is as a salad. These cucumbers are excellent for pickling, storing in jars for the winter, and marinating. Jarred vegetables retain their aesthetic appearance and flavor.

Khodokainen Elena, 48 years old

I bought this variety for the first time; they finally arrived at the store. What can I say: I wasn't wildly impressed, but it was quite passable. I don't use them raw; I prefer other varieties for that, and I preserve these cucumbers in jars for the winter. After pickling, the flavor is preserved, and they're just as crisp as before.

Irushina Valentina, 60 years old

I like this variety. My neighbor and I plant it and love competing to see who can get the shoots to sprout first. We love the taste and the fact that the cucumbers can be stored for a long time. We sold some of the harvest at the market because, as promised, the yield is bountiful; we wouldn't eat it ourselves. Growing them isn't particularly difficult, so I highly recommend them.

Dmitry Kulagin, 38 years old

I've been gardening for a long time. I know how to plant cucumbers, but this article was helpful for refreshing my knowledge. Now I fertilize the plants more often and use vitamin supplements. I liked the Kumanek variety for its ease of care. The cucumbers are fresh and juicy. I'll definitely buy more.

The Kumanek F variety is a good hybrid variety that produces a good volume of fruit. The cultivation guidelines are standard, but it's important to familiarize yourself with them before growing.