Cucumbers Cascade F1: characteristics and rules for growing the variety

It is worth starting the description of the Cascade cucumber variety with the fact that it is a product of domestic selection, created back in 1982 in the Far East. Cucumber is cultivated primarily in the above-mentioned region. Cascade belongs to the mid-season varieties; its ripening period is 46-50 days. This plant can tolerate harsh climates, but at the same time needs a well-lit area.

Description of the cucumber variety Cascade

Cucumbers of the Cascade variety were included in the State Register of the Russian Federation in 1982. The hybrid is zoned in the Far East. However, it is successfully grown in other regions. The variety was obtained by breeders of the Far Eastern Research Institute of Agriculture.

The Cascade variety is classified as an early ripening crop. The period from the appearance of sprouts to full harvesting takes 40 - 50 days. Cucumbers are intended for planting in open and closed ground. The method of cultivation directly depends on the weather conditions of the region.

The inflorescences of the plant are female. The leaves are medium in size and green in color. The length of the main shoot reaches 1 - 1.5 m. The bushes are characterized by moderate growth vigor. The flowers of the plant are pollinated by bees.

According to the description and photo, Cascade cucumbers have the following features:

• leveled fruits;
• small bumps on the skin;
• elongated, elliptical shape;
• crispy pulp;
• the length of the greens is 12 - 15 cm;
• weight from 90 to 120 g.

Harvest and storage

The cucumber of this Far Eastern variety begins to ripen by mid-July. The greens are harvested every 2 days, thus extending the fruiting period. The cascade is collected early in the morning, before watering, carefully cutting off the stalk, leaving 1-2 cm on the bush.

After harvesting, the variety is not washed, but is immediately placed on the top shelf of the refrigerator - there the Cascade can be stored for up to 7 days, without the slightest loss of juice, aroma and density. The cucumber tolerates transportation well - thanks to its dense peel, it will not crack or wrinkle even on a long journey.

Agricultural technology for cucumbers Cascade

Cucumber seeds are planted at home in the spring. When warm weather sets in, the plants are moved to a permanent location. It is important to find the right place for the culture. During the entire growing season of the seedling, the plant is provided with good care.

Planting seedlings

Cucumbers of the Cascade variety are planted as seedlings or immediately in a permanent place. The first method is practiced in colder regions. When using seedlings, fruiting of cucumbers begins 2 weeks earlier.

Work begins in April. The material remains viable for 8 - 10 years. At the same time, the greatest yield is obtained from seeds collected 3 - 4 years ago.

First, high-quality specimens are selected for planting and kept warm for a month. Then they are dipped for 20 minutes in a solution of potassium permanganate or the drug Fitosporin.

Advice! Cascade cucumbers are planted in separate containers or peat tablets. This will help skip the picking stage, which has a bad effect on the growth of seedlings.

For planting, use a ready-made purchased substrate or get it yourself. Cucumbers prefer light, fertile soil. To obtain it, fertile soil, peat, sawdust and humus are mixed in a ratio of 2:1:1:2. Place 1 - 2 seeds in each container and sprinkle with a layer of earth 1 - 2 cm thick.

Cascade cucumber shoots appear at a temperature of 22 - 27 °C. Plantings are kept in a dark and warm place. Containers with sprouts are moved to the windowsill. Seedlings should be kept in good light for 13 - 15 hours.

Cascade cucumber seedlings are watered every week. For feeding, use a solution of Nitroammophoska. For 1 liter of water add 1 tbsp. l. fertilizers Plants are watered at the root. For seedlings of Cascade cucumbers, 1-2 feedings are enough.

4 weeks before planting in the ground, cucumbers are hardened in the fresh air. The containers are moved to the balcony or loggia. Gradually the plants adapt to natural conditions.

Landing in the ground

Cucumbers of the Cascade variety are planted in a permanent place in May or early June, after waiting for the soil to warm up and warm weather to set in. For the crop, choose a sunny area, protected from the wind.

Cascade cucumber beds are prepared in the fall. To plant the crop, choose a site after tomatoes, cabbage, onions, garlic, and herbs. Planting after pumpkins, watermelons, melons and zucchini is not recommended. Cucumbers are returned to their original place after 3 - 4 years.

To transplant Cascade cucumbers, choose a cloudy day or evening. If frosts are imminent, the seedlings are covered with non-woven fabric overnight.

Instructions for planting cucumbers in the ground:

1. 40 cm deepenings are made in the garden bed. 30 cm are left between plants and 60 cm between rows.
2. A handful of wood ash and compost is poured into each hole, then a layer of earth.
3. Cascade cucumbers are carefully removed from the containers, taking care not to damage the earthen lump.
4. The plants are transferred to the hole, and the empty areas are covered with soil.
5. At the end of the procedure, the cucumbers are well watered.

The first time after planting, cucumbers are shaded from the bright sun by placing a paper cap over the plants. For 10 - 14 days, the Cascade variety is not watered or fed. During this period, seedlings adapt to new conditions.

Watering and fertilizing

Moisture and nutrients affect the yield and development of the crop. Cucumbers are cared for throughout the season. The rates of watering and fertilizing depend on the stage of development of the bushes.

Cucumbers of the Cascade variety are watered according to the following scheme:

• before the buds appear - every week, 4 liters per 1 sq. m;
• during flowering - every 3 days, 9 liters of water;
• during fruiting - weekly 4 - 5 liters.

For irrigation, take warm, settled water. Make sure that moisture does not erode the soil. After watering, the soil is loosened so that the plants better absorb nutrients. In order to retain moisture in the soil longer, mulch with humus or straw.

Cucumbers of the Cascade variety are fed every 2 - 3 weeks. For this purpose, both organic and mineral complexes are used. Before flowering, cucumbers are watered with mullein infusion.

Advice! Cascade cucumbers respond positively to natural fertilizers: wood ash and yeast tincture.

At the beginning of fruiting, they switch to potassium and phosphorus fertilizers. Excess nitrogen promotes the growth of shoots and leaves, which negatively affects the formation of fruits. Add 35 g of superphosphate and potassium salt to 10 liters of water. Fertilizer is poured at the roots of plants.

Formation

Due to the formation, the growth of shoots is limited and a high yield is obtained. When the seedlings have the 3rd or 4th leaf, all ovaries and stepsons are removed along the main shoot. Then the plant will direct all its forces to the development of the root system.

The cucumber whip is formed in the form of an inverted pyramid. In this case, 1-2 ovaries are left on the lower shoots: this way the plant develops better and absorbs nutrients.

Protection from diseases and pests

Cascade cucumbers are resistant to downy mildew and other fungal diseases. Lesions spread with low temperatures and high humidity. To protect against diseases, it is important to regulate watering and ventilate the greenhouse. Disinfecting the greenhouse and treating seeds before sowing also helps to avoid diseases.

Important! The drugs Topaz, Privent, etc. will help fight the harmful fungus. Chemicals are not used if there are 3 weeks or less left before harvesting.

Pests cause significant damage to cucumbers: insects feed on plant juices, inhibit their growth, and transmit various diseases. The most dangerous for the crop are thrips, aphids, whiteflies, and spider mites.

Insecticides Karbofos, Iskra, Fitoverm are used against pests. The products are diluted with water and sprayed onto the planting leaves. For prevention, cucumbers are dusted with tobacco dust or wood ash, which can repel pests. In addition, weeds are removed, which often become a haven for insects.

Diseases and parasites

Cascade has a fairly average immunity, compared to more modern hybrids. This cucumber is often affected by viruses and also becomes a victim of insect pests. To avoid this, you need to treat the seeds and soil with antibacterial drugs before planting, and also monitor the cleanliness of the area for the variety.

Cucumber mosaic

The virus affects cucumbers in wet and, at the same time, hot weather, and when plantings are thickened. The disease manifests itself as light oval spots on the leaves of the variety, as well as curling of their tips. In the early stages, spraying with dandelion infusion or a solution of milk with iodine will help save the Cascade. In case of severe infection, the bushes of the variety are sprayed with Aktara and Aktelit. It is better to remove significantly affected bushes.

Black flea beetle

This pest attacks cucumbers in warm, humid climates with insufficient weeding. It is capable of destroying most of the plantings in 2-3 weeks. The best remedy for fleas is powder made from tobacco dust and tree resin. They powder the Cascade with it early in the morning, following the dew. If there are a lot of bugs on the bushes of a variety, use the insecticides Arrivo, Sherpa, or Aktara. For prevention, onions or wormwood are planted around the cucumber area.

Whitefly

The whitish butterfly lays eggs on the leaves of the variety, and the hatched larvae drink the juices from the plants. Cucumber suffers from whitefly in stuffy climates with waterlogged soil. In greenhouses, sticky tapes are hung for the parasite; in open areas, the rows under the Cascade are laid with foil, reflecting light onto the leaves. Additionally, the cucumber is treated with a weak solution of laundry soap.

Care

The cascade will require simple, but attentive and painstaking care from the gardener. The cucumber needs abundant regular feeding, careful light loosening and frequent watering with suitable water. In addition, if you do not pay attention to the shape of the bush in time, the cucumber will not give the expected rich harvest.

Watering

Before flowering, the variety is watered 2 times a week, the dose of liquid is about 4 liters. per 1 m². When the buds gain color, the water norm increases to 3 times a week, 9 liters each. per 1 m². With the beginning of fruiting, the Cascade can be returned to the original watering schedule, while increasing its volume to 5 liters. per m². The water for cucumbers must be settled and warm - cool watering can cause the bushes to get sick.

Garter and formation of bushes.

In open ground, the Cascade may well spread along the ground - this will even make the cucumber more fertile. In greenhouse or greenhouse conditions, you need to place the lashes vertically. The plant variety is dealt with as follows:

• Upon reaching a height of 15 cm, the cucumber is tied to trellises.
• The main stem is blinded from below to the 4th leaf.
• The central lash of the Cascade is formed in the form of an inverted pyramid.
• On the lower shoots of the variety, 2 ovaries are left.

It is especially important that the lower part of the plant remains bare - this way the root system will develop better.

Top dressing

In loamy soils, Cascade will be in dire need of nutritious fertilizer. Feed this cucumber once every 2 weeks. The first feeding - at the age of 7-10 days - wood ash and humus. All subsequent ones before flowering are mullein solution, chicken droppings, or peat.

During the flowering and fruiting period, the variety is fertilized with mineral fertilizers - superphosphate, potassium salt, sodium sulfate. The cascade requires fertilizing at the root, or digging up denser fertilizers (peat, chicken droppings) into the holes around the variety bush.

Hilling

The cucumber requires sprinkling with soil, primarily during frosts, as well as in the summer heat, which Cascade has difficulty withstanding. The bush of the variety hills up to 20-25 cm, every week, a thin layer of hay or peat can be poured along the edges of the earthen pile. Additionally, the cucumber will require loosening every 4-5 days - most often this is combined with weeding and inspection of Cascade plants for the presence of larvae or parasite eggs.

Preparing for landing

Before planting in the soil, seeds are sometimes soaked in a solution of potassium permanganate, after which they are washed and germinated.

You can plant seeds (seedlings) in open ground when its temperature reaches 15°C (approximately at the end of May). Before this, it should be slightly hardened to prepare it for more severe conditions. This can be done by gradually lowering the air temperature, followed by a slight increase.

The optimal planting density is 3-4 plants per 1 square meter. m. If seeds are sown directly in the garden bed, they are lowered into the soil no deeper than 1.5-2.5 cm.

Drop off point

The plant requires sunlight

Plants should be planted in places protected from the wind, moist and well-lit. The variety requires sufficient heat and moisture for good development. The fertility of the land must also be taken into account. To increase its aeration and improve plant growth, add some leaves or sawdust to the soil.

Landing

In the middle zone and in the north, it is necessary to plant cucumbers using the seedling method. In the south, seeds can be sown immediately in open ground, but fruiting will begin later compared to the seedling method.

Seeds are sown for seedlings at the end of April. Plastic or peat cups and a nutrient substrate are prepared for it. You can buy it in a store or mix equal parts of garden soil, peat, humus and sand.

Seeds germinate better if you warm the soil before sowing. It is placed in a fabric bag and kept near the battery for several hours.

1-2 pre-treated grains are planted in each pot. Treatment includes etching in a one percent solution of potassium permanganate for several hours, and then soaking in a solution of a stimulant, for example, Epin. After sowing, the soil is moistened, the containers are covered with film and kept warm - +25-27 degrees. When the sprouts appear, they are provided with a temperature of +18-20 degrees and good lighting.

You can plant the bushes in a permanent place when they have 3-5 leaves. The earth should warm up to at least +15 degrees, and the frosts should end. The place is selected according to the following criteria:

• Sunny area on a hill, protected from the wind.
• Well-fertilized, loose and fertile soil.
• An area where cucumbers, pumpkins, zucchini, watermelons or melons did not grow last year.
• It is advisable to plant in beds after tomatoes, peppers, potatoes or cabbage.

There are 3-4 bushes per square meter.

To plant directly into the ground, they begin to prepare it in the fall: they dig deep and fertilize it. For 1 sq. m add a bucket of humus or compost. In the spring, they are dug up again, the seeds are sown in holes or grooves, buried to a depth of 1.5-2.5 cm, and the soil is covered with film.

Common cucumber 'Cascade'

Latin name: cucumis sativus 'kaskad'

Main genus: Common cucumber

Cultivation of cucumber crop

Cucumber grows well in warm, light, humus-rich, fertile soils. Does not tolerate acidic and saline soil well.

1. Cucumber seeds germinate at a temperature of 13-15 degrees. The optimal temperature for rapid seed germination is 25-30 degrees.
2. The crop is especially responsive to soil moisture and relative air humidity. The root system of the plant is located in the upper, quickly drying layers of soil. And large leaves require a lot of moisture and nutrients.
3. Cucumbers are light-loving short-day crops. Short days are especially favorable during the period of growing seedlings.
4. Seedlings are planted when the soil warms up to 15 degrees, when the danger of return frosts has passed. Plants in greenhouses are tied or attached to trellises.
5. The plant is formed by pinching it at the height of the greenhouse. Early ripening varieties do not need pinching, since male and female flowers are formed simultaneously, on the main stem and side shoots.
6. Before fruiting begins, the temperature should be 22-24 degrees during the day and 17-18 degrees at night.
7. Soil humidity is maintained depending on the light level at 75% to 90%. On particularly hot days, refreshing watering is carried out.
8. After watering, the soil is loosened, thereby ensuring air access to the root system. Remove leaves from the bottom of the stem. Removing ripened greens in a timely manner.

These rules are quite traditional and valid for varieties and hybrids with different ripening periods.