Meringue F1 cucumbers: description, features of growing a hybrid variety and reviews from gardeners

History of the variety's creation

The Meringue hybrid was bred by Dutch breeders from the famous one at the beginning of this century. And the production of seeds is carried out by the famous Dutch seed company, which is currently absorbed.

Meringue cucumbers were included in the Russian State Register in 2007. And now this Dutch hybrid is in demand among Russian vegetable growers, as it has shown excellent yields in various regions of the country.

Cucumbers Meringue F1 - photo

Landing rules

Self-pollinating hybrid “Merengue” from the Dutch originator Monsanto holland b. V. can be grown through seedlings or by sowing seeds in beds.

Direct sowing of seeds

This method of sowing is very popular and allows you to save time and effort on growing cucumber seedlings.

• •the timing of sowing seeds in central Russia begins in the first week of May and continues until mid-June;
• •in order to obtain early production, pre-prepared seeds should be sown under spunbond or other high-quality covering material;
• •it is necessary to sow dry seeds and seeds soaked before pecking together;
• •the nest sowing method is considered the most convenient, in which 3-4 pieces are placed in each hole. seeds with a distance between holes of 0.5 m.

Starting from the second ten days of May, cucumber seeds can be sown directly in open ground, without the use of significant shelter.

Growing seedlings

The seedling method allows you to double the early harvest time and significantly increase the yield compared to growing a crop without seedlings. To successfully grow seedlings, it is important to know and follow certain subtleties of this process:

• seeds should be examined, damaged ones should be discarded, and full-bodied ones should be soaked in growth stimulants;
• Soaked seeds should be sown in pots or other planting containers to a depth of no more than 1.5 cm;
• the soil should be as complete and nutritious as possible and intended for growing vegetables;
• when growing seedlings, moderate levels of air and soil humidity should be maintained;
• watering the seedlings is carried out as needed and only with warm water, the temperature of which is 23-25 ​​° C;
• A week before planting, you should begin hardening the seedlings.

Before transferring seedlings to open ground, it is advisable to water them abundantly. Cucumber seedlings should be planted at the age of 20-25 days. In central Russia, seedlings are planted under temporary shelters on May 12-20, and seedlings are planted in open ground without the use of shelter on June 3-15.

Cucumbers Meringue F1: description and characteristics of the variety

Meringue hybrid belongs to the parthenocarpic type

, the flowers that appear are only of the female type, they do not require pollination, so these cucumbers are perfect for growing indoors, in polycarbonate greenhouses, greenhouses, as well as indoors - on window sills or glazed loggias.

Meringue cucumber bushes can reach 1.5 m and higher in height

, shoots are strong, well leafy. The foliage is medium in size, medium pubescent, three or four lobed, delicately light green in color.

One to three ovaries can form in one node at the same time.

On a note!

The cucumber hybrid Meringue is classified as an early-ripening variety - no more than 1.5 months pass from the moment of germination of the seed material to the harvesting of ripe fruits. Fruiting occurs throughout the entire growing season.

Since these cucumbers are hybrid, it is useless to collect seeds from the fruits - the plants growing from them will not repeat the parental characteristics.

Ripe Meringue cucumbers are cylindrical in shape, the skin is even green in color with short white stripes, covered with a large number of large tubercles, medium density, crispy. The fruits are gherkin-type, grow up to 10-12 cm in length, with whitish short spines.

Cucumbers are not prone to overgrowth, do not become deformed, do not have bitterness and do not turn yellow even when overripe.

The taste of the collected fruits of Meringue cucumbers is excellent, the flesh is sweetish, juicy, without bitterness.

Ripe cucumbers have an excellent presentation and can withstand transportation well at any distance without losing their taste. The harvested crop can be stored in the refrigerator for a long time.

The collected fruits are distinguished by their versatility of purpose: they are consumed fresh or used for preservation. For pickling, Meringue cucumbers are used not only at the greens stage, but also collected gherkins.

Photo of Meringue F1 cucumbers

Growing meringue cucumber vines tolerate changes in temperature conditions and rainy seasons well.

Diseases, pests and methods of controlling them

You can most often notice that a crop is unhealthy by looking at the leaf blade of the plant. It is this part of the culture that is most often affected by pathogens. If agrotechnical recommendations are not followed, the root of the bush often suffers.

Diseases of cucumber Meringue:

1. Root rot. Cold watering, purchasing contaminated seeds, dense soil - all this can cause root rot. The disease affects not only the adult plant, but also seedlings. For prevention, it is important to cultivate the soil and remove weeds. Infected bushes will have to be removed.
2. Anthracnose. Brown spots can be seen on the foliage. The fruits become darker and wrinkled. To overcome the disease, you can use a solution based on bleach (40 g of substance per 10 liters of water).
3. White rot. White mucus appears on the stem, foliage and ovaries. To combat, use the following solution: 10 liters of water, 10 g of urea and 2 g of copper sulfate. Mix everything well and treat the bushes. For 10 m2 use 1 liter of freshly prepared solution.

The plant can be re-treated against the disease only after 10 days.

Pests of cucumber Meringue f1:

1. Slugs. Traces of eating appear on the fruits, and dark mucus appears on the plant itself. Most often, gardeners use a drug such as Metaldehyde. Take 1 tablet per 10 liters of water.
2. Ants. On the ground around the bushes you can find multiple insect passages. They violate the integrity of the root system. Traps are used. These could be bottles filled with water and sugar.
3. Whitefly. Yellow larvae appear on the reverse side of the leaf blade. The bushes are treated with Inta-Vir.

Pest control is carried out every 7 days.

Advantages and disadvantages

The main advantages of the Meringue hybrid include:

1. high precocity;
2. high productivity, especially in closed ground;
3. the presence of pollinating insects is not required, since the variety is self-pollinating;
4. versatility of destination of the harvested crop;
5. excellent presentation and good taste of Meringue cucumbers;
6. high resistance to most fungal and other diseases;
7. good tolerance to adverse climatic conditions;
8. ripe fruits are not prone to overgrowth and deformation, do not have bitterness and do not turn yellow.

Varieties of cucumbers!
Cucumber Connie Cucumber Claudia F1 Cucumber Aragats
This hybrid has no special disadvantages. The only inconvenience is that you cannot collect seeds from these cucumbers; plants of subsequent generations do not retain their parental qualities, so every year you have to buy Meringue cucumber seed material anew.

Description of cucumbers

The hybrid was bred by the Dutch, and is engaged in the production of its seeds. In 2007 it was included in the state register of Russia. Over the past years, it has shown excellent results both in terms of yield and sustainability in the Russian climate.

Distinctive features

Basic indicators:

• parthenocarpic hybrid;
• resistance to deformation and overripening;
• early fruit ripening;
• resistance to transportation;
• immunity to powdery mildew and peronosporosis;
• a small amount of seeds;
• lack of bitterness.

Composition, properties, benefits, calorie content

Like other cucumbers, 90-95% of the fruit is water. The composition also contains beta-carotene, vitamins A, C, PP, group B, potassium, magnesium, manganese, zinc, copper, iron, chlorine, iodine, chromium, phosphorus, sodium, folic acid. Due to their high fiber content, cucumbers enhance intestinal motility and gently cleanse it.

The average calorie content is 10-15 kcal per fruit.

Characteristics

The hybrid is parthenocarpic, that is, it does not require pollination by insects. Suitable for growing both outdoors and indoors. The plants are tall, with a small number of vines. The leaves are small, bright green, slightly pubescent, and are produced in small numbers, making harvesting easier. The flowers are bright yellow, female, up to 3-4 in one node.

The fruits are cylindrical, smooth, without curvature, with large tubercles and white spines. The color is dark green at the stem and lightens to soft green towards the flower. The average length is 8-10 cm, the average weight is 80-100 g. The pulp is sweet, without bitterness, even with prolonged growth. Not prone to yellowing, overgrowth and wrinkling. There are few seeds, all of them do not bear parental characteristics.

Productivity depends on the type of cultivation. In open ground it is 10-12 kg per square meter. m, in greenhouse conditions - 13-15 kg per square meter. m.

Planting Meringue cucumbers and growing seedlings

To prevent the roots of cucumbers from being damaged during transplantation, the seedlings are planted in a permanent place along with a lump of earth.

Many experienced vegetable growers grow Meringue cucumber seedlings in coconut tablets and briquettes.

It is better not to use peat pots when growing cucumbers, as they quickly lose their shape.

In order for Meringue cucumber seedlings to grow strong and healthy, you must adhere to the following rules:

• the soil in which the seed is planted must be loose and free of weeds;
• each seedling of Meringue cucumbers is planted in a separate container immediately, since cucumbers do not tolerate picking and unnecessary transplants very well;
• you need to carefully calculate the timing of planting Meringue cucumber seeds for seedlings, since overgrown seedlings do not take root well in a new place, get sick for a long time, as a result, harvests from such bushes are obtained later than from plants immediately grown in open ground;
• Particular attention should be paid to lighting seedlings, which require 12-14 hours of daylight for normal growth. If necessary, it is necessary to additionally illuminate the plants;
• watering should be moderate - excess moisture in the soil can cause root rot or the appearance of blackleg on seedlings;
• 12-14 days before transplanting seedlings to a permanent place, they should be hardened off.

Usually, Meringue cucumber seedlings are transplanted to a permanent place in open ground or a greenhouse in the evening. After the procedure, the plants are watered abundantly.

Cucumbers do not grow well in overly acidic soils. Therefore, in the fall, dolomite flour or lime is added to the acidified soil before digging.

Before planting, the seedlings are not heavily watered - in this case, the earthen ball may lose its shape, as a result, transplanting the seedlings will be difficult.

How to grow this cucumber yourself

Like most varieties and hybrids, Meringue F1 has a number of requirements for planting and care. It prefers clay soils that have previously grown onions, tomatoes, potatoes or cabbage.

For better growth and fruiting, it is recommended to fertilize the soil with a large amount of humus (100 kg per 10 sq. m) or add superphosphate and nitrogen (420 g and 270 g, respectively, for the same area). It is not worth using organic and mineral fertilizers at the same time; it is better to give preference to one or the other. Top dressing is applied in the fall during digging or in the spring after the snow melts.

Reference! Some gardeners spread fertilizers on melting snow - the melt water will carry the fertilizer with it to the required depth.

Planting by seeds and seedlings

There are two ways to plant Meringue F1 cucumbers. The seed method, also called the direct method, saves effort and time, and with seedlings, farmers get the harvest 1-2 weeks earlier.

When sowing seeds directly, prepare small holes 2.5-3 cm deep at a distance of 10-15 cm from each other. The minimum distance between rows is 50-60 cm. Place 1-2 seeds in one hole and sprinkle with soil. To speed up germination, the hole is covered with film or a plastic jar to create a greenhouse effect, as well as in case of danger of night frosts.

Reference! You can use the nesting method of planting, in which four seeds are planted in one hole around the perimeter.

The seedling method speeds up the vegetative and fruiting periods. Seeds are planted in containers at least 10 cm in height. These can be either plastic containers for seedlings or peat pots. The latter are more acceptable - the variety does not tolerate transplantation and interference with the root system.

For sowing, use special soil or prepare a substrate from sawdust, peat and humus in a ratio of 1:2:2. For 10 kg of substrate, add two tablespoons of wood ash and the same amount of Nitroammophoska. The containers are filled two-thirds with the substrate, and one seed is sown in each compartment or pot.

Seedlings are planted in the ground 25-30 days after the first leaves appear.

Growing in stages and care

The first loosening is carried out after the germination of 1-2 leaves. The greenhouses are removed and the soil is loosened at a distance from the crops so as not to disturb the root system. Loosening is carried out both in the holes and in the distance between them.

The first feeding after planting the seeds using the direct method is carried out after the first true leaves appear. Mullein or mineral compounds are used as fertilizer - the choice depends on what type was applied in autumn or spring. If organic matter was already added before planting, minerals are added and vice versa. Before feeding, remove weak or damaged shoots.

The working solution is prepared from one part mullein and five parts settled water. Use rainwater or pre-prepared melted snow. Use 0.5 liters of solution per plant. For mineral feeding, use 20 g of saltpeter and 20 g of potassium phosphate, which are diluted in 10 liters of water. The solution consumption is the same as in the case of organic fertilizer. The second feeding is applied after 14-17 days.

Before flowering begins, the crop is watered with warm, settled water in a volume of 2-3 liters per plant. It is important to ensure that the soil is well aerated and drained, and that water does not stagnate for a long time - this can cause rotting of the roots. From the beginning of flowering and during the fruiting period, the volume of water is increased to 5-6 liters per plant.

Important! Water in the evening and at the roots.

When plants reach a height of 1 m, they are provided with support in the form of a trellis. With the nesting method, a support is installed in the center of the hole, to the upper end of which long twines are tied according to the number of plants in the hole. The loose ends are pulled and tied to small pegs, which are inserted into the ground next to the trunk.

Pinching and pinching is left to the discretion of the vegetable grower. For better illumination of the bushes, it is recommended to pin them and thin them out. Side shoots and flowers are removed from an adult plant at a height of 50-60 cm. Pinching is carried out on lashes 1.5 m long.

Features of cultivation and possible difficulties

The hybrid grows poorly in salty soils with poor aeration and prolonged stagnation of water. With excessive watering , the roots begin to rot, and the plant begins to hurt and may die.

When excessively fertilized with nitrogenous fertilizers, the fruits lose their taste and acquire a bitter taste. These cucumbers are not suitable for canning. In addition, when there is an excess of nitrogen, leaves and shoots grow, rather than flowers and fruits. If there is a lack of minerals or organic matter, the shoots grow slowly and flowering practically does not occur.

The hybrid responds well to regular loosening and weed removal. It is advisable to pull out weeds by the roots, rather than tearing off the top part. Simultaneously with weeding, deeper loosening of the soil occurs, since substances useful for the crop are carried closer to the surface along with the roots of the weeds.

Diseases and pests

The hybrid is resistant to powdery mildew, peronospora and some other diseases. However, Meringue F1 has poor resistance to root rot, anthracnose, white rot and attacks by spider mites, aphids and whiteflies.

Methods of control and prevention:

1. When a spider mite attacks, a characteristic white cobwebby coating appears on flowers and leaves. The pest feeds on plant juices. It is almost impossible to notice with the naked eye. The leaves begin to turn yellow and curl, and the flowers do not form an ovary. To combat insects, insecticides such as Apollo, Nisoran or Oberon are used. Most often it affects plants in greenhouses.
2. Anthracnose is a fungal infection that manifests itself when temperature and watering conditions are violated. Signs of damage: the appearance of yellow-brown spots on the leaves, darkening and wrinkling of the fruits, and rotting on the vine. To treat the plantings, all bushes are treated with a bleach solution. The solution is prepared from 40 g of the substance diluted in 10 liters of water. If necessary, the treatment is repeated after 10-12 days.
3. Root rot is a fungal disease that attacks the root system and causes it to die. Appears when the soil is infected with fungal spores, poor-quality seed material or lack of proper pre-planting treatment. A characteristic sign is darkening of the root collar of the plant. Affected seedlings are removed and burned, and the soil is treated with a bleach solution. The hole of the removed plant is disinfected with a solution of potassium permanganate.

Further care for Meringue cucumbers

Further care for Meringue cucumbers consists of regular watering, loosening the soil while simultaneously removing weeds, tying the vines to the trellises and applying fertilizing.

Meringue lashes are tied to trellises; this method of tying makes caring for the bushes easier, as well as harvesting.

Feeding cucumbers Meringue

It is best to feed this vegetable crop with chelated complex mineral fertilizers, which are quickly absorbed by the roots of cucumbers. Such fertilizing of Meringue cucumbers can also be used for application “by leaf”.

Nitrogen fertilizers should be applied to this vegetable crop with caution.

– they activate the growth of vegetative mass to the detriment of the formation of ovaries.

Feeding cucumbers

If cucumber bushes are overfed with nitrogenous fertilizers, then their fruits will be less tasty and will be stored worse. But such greens are not suitable for preservation.

Disembarkation and care

Harvesting and storage rules

Ripe fruits are picked every three to four days. Although they will not overgrow and turn yellow, they will deprive the newly formed cucumbers of nutrients.

The fruits can be salted or pickled. Fresh storage is possible for 2-3 weeks in a cool place.

Despite the Dutch origin of the hybrid variety of Meringue cucumbers, the Russian climate is excellent for growing this crop and achieving high yields. The growing technology is simple and accessible to all gardeners. If all its conditions are met, you can expect an excellent harvest.

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Features of growing in a greenhouse

The Meringue cucumber variety is successfully used for growing in greenhouses, however, it should be taken into account that in winter the cucumber requires additional lighting. Without it, the plant will be elongated, weak, and with low productivity.

The description of the variety guarantees resistance to the most common diseases of cucumbers, but any errors in care weaken the plant. Nutrient deficiency, low temperature, insufficient or excessive watering, and lack of ultraviolet radiation can trigger an outbreak of infectious diseases in cucumbers. To prevent this, it is necessary to carefully care for the plants, carefully monitoring changes that may indicate a possible disease.

Formation of bushes

In order for cucumbers to receive enough light, you need to know how to properly plant cucumbers. The procedure begins by removing all stepsons and flowers to a height of 50-60 cm. All shoots whose length is more than 2 cm are removed. The bottom leaf and the first fruit are removed up to a stem height of 1 m.

The bushes must be tied up. As soon as the lashes reach a height of 1.5 m, they are pinched.

Fertilizer application

Cucumbers are voracious plants. To get a good harvest, you need to feed them at least once a week. For this purpose, solutions of natural fertilizers or minerals are used.

Good results are shown by adding a mixture of a spoonful of ammonium nitrate, superphosphate, and potassium fertilizer diluted in 10 liters of water. As soon as all components are completely dissolved, 3 grams of iron and 2 grams of boric acid are added to them.

You can use another composition prepared from 10 liters of water, a spoonful of urea, half a spoonful of potassium fertilizer and the same amount of superphosphate. For 10 square meters you will need 2.5 liters of fertilizer.

Reviews from vegetable growers

The new early parthenocarpic hybrid “Merengue f1” has positive reviews. Its seeds show excellent germination, and the grown seedlings are very strong and massive, tolerate replanting well, showing rapid survival.

The qualitative taste characteristics and external parameters are significantly similar to such a popular hybrid as “Herman”. The first harvest of cucumbers, subject to agricultural technology, is carried out 50 days after sowing the seeds. Mass harvesting begins in about two months. Vegetable growers are very pleased with the plants’ resistance to diseases, temperature changes, as well as their excellent shade tolerance. The yield over three months is about 8.5 kg per plant, which is an excellent indicator for the new hybrid form of cucumbers.

Seed preparation

Cucumber seeds are planted at the end of April - early May, when the ground warms up to a temperature of 12-15 degrees. Before sowing, the seeds are pre-treated. This process is carried out in several stages.

1. First, you need to separate the seeds suitable for sowing. To do this, dissolve a spoonful of salt in a liter of water. Seeds are placed in this solution. Those that sink to the bottom of the container are washed under running water and used for sowing. The “pacifiers” floating on the surface of the solution are disposed of.
2. Before sowing, seeds are disinfected. To do this, prepare a pink solution of potassium permanganate. The seeds are soaked in it for twenty minutes. Then the seed is removed from the solution, washed under running water, and dried.

After treatment, sowing can be done. To improve the quality of the seeds, it is recommended to place them in the refrigerator for a day.

Diseases and their prevention

Meringue cucumbers are immune to powdery mildew, but are susceptible to anthracnose. It is caused by the appearance of fungus due to violations of temperature and humidity. In this case, the leaves become covered with yellow spots, and the bush may die. The disease is extremely difficult to treat, so it is easier to prevent it by using fungicides.

If there is high humidity in the greenhouse, the fruits may become covered with mucus. A plant affected by white rot is pulled out, and Bordeaux mixture is used to spray healthy bushes.

Meringue cucumbers in open ground attract spider mites. Larvae from whitefly eggs will feed on the sap. Insecticides are used to get rid of these pests.