Notice: Undefined variable: css_padding in /home/g/grigorig/prodachnika.com/public_html/wp-content/plugins/vote2x/vote.php on line 100 Notice: Undefined variable: css_opacity in /home/g/grigorig/prodachnika. com/public_html/wp-content/plugins/vote2x/vote.php on line 101 Notice: Undefined index: prodachnika_comvote2x2799 in /home/g/grigorig/prodachnika.com/public_html/wp-content/plugins/vote2x/vote.php on line 118 What is the “Junior Lieutenant” cucumber variety? In short, this is an early ripening, bunch, gherkin hybrid. He gives away his harvest a lot and willingly. Its flowering type is female. There are 3 or more flowers on the bush that are classified as female. Designed for both open planting and protected greenhouses. It grows equally well both there and there.
Description of the variety
The leaves are medium in size and have slight ribbing. a little wrinkled.
- The plant is classified as indeterminate. The shape of small cucumbers can be described as spindle-shaped. The pubescence of the fruit is white.
- The cucumber greens of the “Junior Lieutenant” variety are bright green, their length is from 9 to 12 cm on average. Their weight, again on average, is from 90 to 110 grams. The average diameter of the fruit is about 3 cm, although it can be larger or smaller. The flesh of them and greens is crispy. The tubercles are located on them with an average frequency. Their taste, pickling, and preservative qualities are very high. The branching of the plant is average.
- Resistant to a number of diseases characteristic of cucumbers. But this will be discussed later, in the appropriate section.
What is a gherkin cucumber?
Gherkins spread throughout the world from France, where they were first obtained. Essentially, these are small cucumbers that are most often used for pickling, although they can also be eaten fresh. There are three types of small cucumbers.
- Gherkins are cucumbers up to 9 cm long.
- Mini gherkins grow up to 7 cm.
- Pickles are the smallest species. The fruits do not exceed 5 cm.
To grow good gherkins, you need to feed them often, monitor the quality of irrigation and soil, and in greenhouses you also need to regularly check the air temperature. And only if you carry out the care correctly, you will be able to enjoy a rich harvest of beautiful, small, green cucumbers.
Cucumber gherkin photo
Interesting!
Gherkins are always dense and have no voids inside! This is the main reason why they become so crispy after marinating.
Many novice gardeners believe that any type of cucumber can be a gherkin - the main thing is to pick the greenery from the vine while it is still small and close it in a jar, but in fact this is not so. Gherkins differ from salad or simple pickled cucumbers in composition and structure. After marinating, they fully reveal their flavor potential, become crispy, and acquire a piquant flavor.
Characteristics of the variety
Junior lieutenant cucumbers are characterized by enhanced, intense growth, a large number of ovaries, side shoots grow well:
- 2-3, or maybe more, 4-5, or even more ovaries can form in the nodes. There are so many shoots on this cucumber that this hybrid can be specially grown for collecting and pickling micro-picks. These are 3-5 day old ovaries whose length is 3-5 cm.
- Included in the State Register for farms, household plots, garden plots, etc. for growing under film. In film greenhouses or in the ground, but under this covering material.
- It begins to bear fruit 40-42 days after the first shoots appear. The plant is vigorous.
- If we talk about the yield of these cucumbers, then its level is quite high. 9-14 kg/m2. With, of course, the proper level of care and watering.
Recommendations for growing parthenocarpic cucumbers
Hybrid forms are grown taking into account the recommendations of manufacturers and the climatic conditions of a particular area. Caring for parthenocarpic cucumbers is standard, but more attention is paid to the formation of bushes and the application of fertilizers.
In the open ground
When planting parthenocarpics on ridges in the south, cucumber seeds are immediately sown in open ground; in the middle zone, in the North-West, seedlings are grown and only then the seedlings are selected for a permanent place. For the southern regions, all hybrids are suitable; for temperate regions, early cucumbers are selected for OG, capable of producing a harvest on the ridges in a short summer.
It is advisable to grow crops on trellises (supports, mesh), since when planted on a spread, the yield decreases and cucumbers get sick more often. To protect against adverse weather conditions and possible cold snaps, plantings on ridges are covered with non-woven material (spunbond, lutrasil).
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In room conditions
Parthenocarpic varieties of cucumbers bear fruit successfully at home. Varieties are selected whose descriptions indicate - for greenhouses, growing on window sills, balconies.
Important characteristics:
- ability for long-term fruiting (up to 4-5 months;
- parthenocarpy;
- lack of bitterness in the fruits.
Suitable hybrids:
- Marinda;
- Claudia;
- Babylon (yields crops even in low light conditions);
- Tandem;
- Mazay;
- Window-Balcony;
- Indoor Rytov (one of the best hybrids for growing at home);
- cucumber Brook.
For plants, select a spacious container, the volume is at least 5-7 liters. To begin with, they are planted in pots or cups, then carefully transplanted to a permanent place.
Note! Drainage must be poured into the container (layer 5-7 cm thick).
Among the soil components, in addition to garden humus, there should be sifted and calcined river sand, ash, and sawdust. The timing of sowing is determined by the growing conditions and the ability to provide adequate lighting. Without additional lighting, sowing is done in February or March; with lamps, cucumbers are sown all year round.
Containers with plants are placed on southern windows (balconies); daylight should be at least 15 hours. In winter, control the temperature of the soil in the container, preventing overcooling of the roots.
The rest of the agricultural technology is standard: fertilizing (2 times a month), forming bushes, irrigation and spraying (to create the required level of humidity). Ready-made formulations of Kristallin, Ideal, and Fertika are suitable as fertilizers for homemade cucumbers.
Indoors
Parthenocarpics are successfully grown in winter greenhouses with heating, in film and polycarbonate shelters without heating, and in tunnels. Thanks to the ability to obtain a harvest without attracting pollinators, plant care is simplified and the yield of greens is increased.
Hybrids are planted as seedlings in greenhouses, the seeds are sown directly into the ground, additionally covered with film or non-woven material for protection. The seedling method is practiced by gardeners in most regions of the country, since in this case the ripening time of greens is accelerated and the growing season is extended.
In the seedling method, cucumbers are sown in peat tablets or pots or plastic cups. Plants do not dive, since the crop does not tolerate transplantation and takes a long time to adapt to new conditions if the root system is damaged.
When planting cucumbers in greenhouses, observe the distance between the holes (parthenocarpics love freedom), the growth and branching characteristics of each hybrid.
Care
What is the planting density in the greenhouse and open ground? 2.5 plants/m2 and 3-4 plants/m2, respectively.
Sowing should be at a depth of about 1-2 cm, and gardeners should also take into account:
- That the optimal temperature for seed development is +25-30 degrees. Although some seeds germinate at +13-15 degrees.
- The plant loves moisture and warmth. For good results, it is better to choose a sunny place for planting. Soils should be chosen that are light, as fertile and rich as possible.
- Otherwise, the care that cucumbers require is only watering with warm water and fertilizing once every 10 days. Well, cucumbers of this variety, like any other, need to be weeded in a timely manner and the soil in which they are planted is loosened.
Recommendations for growing the plant
The plant is grown using two methods:
- Rassadny. The depth of planting cucumber seed material is 5–10 millimeters. Before the plant sprouts, the recommended temperature is +25 degrees; after the sprouts appear, the temperature is reduced to +15 degrees. The technique allows you to prepare and harden plants. Seedlings require timely watering, weeding of the soil and long daylight hours. It is better to keep the container with seedlings on the south or west side of the apartment, the most illuminated area.
- Seedless. In the case of direct planting in the ground, before sowing the plant, you must make sure that the soil temperature is suitable; it should warm up to at least +15 degrees. The depth of planting seed material is 1–2 centimeters. Before the first shoots appear, the crops should be covered with film.
The choice of place to plant the plant requires special attention. Preference should be given to flat or elevated areas of land. If there is a high level of humidity in the area, it is necessary to dig ditches for drainage. Darkened areas should be avoided; the plant is a light-loving plant. The soil for sowing must have a neutral pH level. With increased acidity, gardeners should add a certain amount of lime to the soil. A bed with cucumbers should be formed in the place where ordinary onions, potatoes, tomatoes, late legumes, and celery were previously cultivated.
To avoid soil depletion, experts advise changing vegetable crops at least once every three years.
The planting pattern for cucumbers recommended by the originator is 15×60 centimeters. The plant is undemanding, but requires compliance with simple rules of agricultural technology: removing weeds, watering in the evening or morning, loosening the soil, and timely application of fertilizing. If there is a threat of pest damage to cucumbers, timely treatment with insecticides is necessary. Products should not be used two weeks before harvesting cucumbers, subject to strict adherence to safety rules.
For gardeners, the yield of a variety plays an important role. Unpretentious, but high-yielding options include the Abundant cucumber. This is a product of domestic development, so this hybrid feels great in most of the territory of the Russian Federation. Obilny was included in the state register almost 20 years ago. During this time, the variety began to be in very high demand. It is loved for its high yield and early fruit ripening.
Diseases
Cucumber is resistant to cucumber mosaic virus, powdery mildew and cladosporiosis, but is tolerant to downy mildew.
Have your cucumbers become infected with the virus?
Not really
He can get other diseases:
- Root rot
This disease becomes especially noticeable when the sun comes out after cloudy weather, and the leaves become limp and eventually fall off. Why does this problem occur? The reasons may vary. The most common is that the plant was watered with cold water, and this should never be done. It is better to dig a groove next to the plant with a hoe and boldly pour warm water into it. But it is better to water before 11-00 am.
- Downy mildew
This disease is very insidious and dangerous. Its pathogens can wait 6-7 years to attack cucumbers again. Symptoms: shiny dark green spots appear on the leaves. They gradually become larger and eventually cover the entire surface of the leaf. The leaves turn brown and dry out.
Sowing cucumber seeds for seedlings
The modern system of growing cucumbers (as well as zucchini) advises preparing seeds for different climatic conditions in different ways.
When and how to plant seeds
For cool areas, especially in rainy weather, it is best not to soak the seeds before planting outdoors. They may rot. For hotter places where there is drought, they are soaked and even slightly germinated
It is important to provide the planted seeds with special conditions: the necessary humidity and breathability. The intensive growing method offers mulch for this
Well-ripened, aged humus is suitable for it. It must be moistened and ground, mixed with light soil and ground again. The mulch should be lush and light. We maintain humidity using a sprayer. You cannot water from a bucket.
Correct fit
Cucumber seeds should always be planted with their nose up, at an angle of approximately 45 degrees. Otherwise, the sprout will come out of the ground with a seed coat, and it will need to shed its valves. Not all sprouts have enough strength for this; there is a danger of dying. If you plant a seed with its nose up, the root sprouting from it will bend and go down. The sprout, also bent, with drooping leaves will stretch upward. It will pull leaves from the ground and, at the same time, from the seed skin, which will cling to the ground. The sprout will come to the surface without the skin. This simple technique greatly saves the strength of a newly hatched cucumber. When growing our vegetables, this condition must be observed.
Planting density
Cucumber plantings should not be thickened. Too close a distance between plants later, when they grow, becomes the cause of their diseases. Progressive agricultural technology provides them with a sufficient amount of living space for development. There should be at least half a meter between neighbors, depending on the type of cucumber.
Pests
Various pests can either cause minor damage to the plant or completely destroy it. Even the most insignificant wounds, for example, on leaves or stems, can become a place where dangerous fungi, viruses and bacteria can penetrate.
Three examples of the most common pests should be given:
- Aphid
This is the name of the most common pest of cucumbers. These are very small insects of greenish, less often yellowish or black colors. It affects absolutely all parts of the plant - both leaves, buds, and flowers. This pest feeds on beneficial substances that it sucks from plant tissues. What is the disadvantage of aphids? One individual, which seems harmless when alone, after a very short time will give birth to dozens, or even hundreds of descendants. A number of individuals grow wings after some time. With their help, they fly to other plants.
- Slugs, snails
Compared to others, these pests are the most ugly in appearance, but at the same time the most harmless (of course, again compared to the others). But, at the same time, it is very easy to fight them. You just need to collect them. And if pests multiply quickly, then the option is to use chemicals. To prevent slugs from multiplying at all, you need to prevent the seedlings from thickening and not allowing water to remain in the soil for too long. These measures alone will prevent fungal infections of cucumbers from developing. These pests were classified as aboveground.
- Nematode
It belongs to the underground pests. Essentially, it is a round worm that infects plants in closed ground. The only way to get rid of the parasite is by replacing the soil. If we talk about cucumbers grown in greenhouses, sometimes gardeners and farmers use steam treatment against them.
When and what to feed?
2 weeks after planting the seedlings or in the phase of 3-4 true leaves when sowing directly into the ground, the first fertilizing is recommended. It is worth noting that when choosing a fertilizer you should always check the condition of the plants. If there are no pronounced signs of deficiency of a particular element, you can use an infusion of manure with the addition of ash or a solution of complex mineral fertilizer. The most suitable of them is Zdraven (produced instead of Mortar).
Features of protected soil. For film greenhouses, seedlings should begin to be grown in the 3rd decade of April. Seeds can be sown in the ground after May 15. It is recommended to fill the beds in the greenhouse with organic matter. For example, k.s.-kh. Sciences Motov V.M. recommends using 6x3 m3 of peat, 0.5 m3 of manure or humus and 1 m3 of turf or garden soil for a greenhouse measuring 6x3 m3. He recommends adding lime and mineral fertilizers to this mixture 2 weeks before planting seedlings. In this case, take 9-11 kg of lime, 10 kg of superphosphate, 5.5 kg of potassium magnesia.
Feeding. It is advisable to start them 3 weeks after planting. For fertilizers, you can take the same Zdraven or a mixture of ammonium nitrate (or urea) in the amount of 15-20 g/10 l of water with potassium and magnesium sulfates (10 and 5 g/10 l). It is advisable to add humic fertilizer or an extract from vermicompost to the same solution.
Photo
You can not only read about cucumbers of this variety, but also see photographs of them.
How to properly grow cucumbers in open ground: planting seeds
Growing cucumbers in the photo
Currently, cucumber is one of the most common vegetables. The variety of varieties adapted to different growing conditions practically makes it possible to obtain fresh cucumbers everywhere, and in greenhouses the cucumber is the main, simplest and most profitable crop.
In open ground, the most favorable conditions for growing cucumbers are created on warm summer days with frequent rains or with regular sprinkler irrigation.
Cucumbers grow well in light, organic-rich soils. They respond better to fresh organic fertilizer than other vegetable plants.
In order to comply with the technology of growing cucumbers, a sunny place should be allocated for cucumbers in a garden or garden plot.
Before planting cucumbers in the ground with seeds, the soil prepared in the fall is harrowed early in the spring, leveled and ensured that before planting it is loose and free of weeds.
Planting cucumber seeds directly into the beds occurs when the danger of frost has passed.
These photos show the correct planting of cucumber seeds and caring for seedlings in open ground:
To speed up germination, seeds are soaked in a warm solution of a growth stimulant: Albit, Epin, Novosil, Zircon, Immunocytophyte, etc. They are kept in a damp cloth or napkins for 12-24 hours at a temperature +23…+25°С.
According to the correct agricultural technology for growing cucumbers, germinated seeds should be sown in moist and well-warmed soil in rows with row spacing of 60 cm or holes with a distance of 40-50 centimeters from one another. You can sow them in beds 100-120 cm wide. After seedlings appear, they are thinned out, leaving 2-3 plants in a hole, and in a row - at a distance of 8-10 cm.
Watch the video “Growing Cucumbers” to better understand how to plant seeds:
Next, you will learn how to grow cucumbers in open ground using seedlings.
