Cucumber Madita F1 - description and characteristics of an ultra-early variety

Dutch varieties of cucumbers are included in the list of the most popular among gardeners and farmers in various Russian regions. Vivid descriptions of hybrids with photos attract attention, and in practice it turns out that all of the specified characteristics are fully confirmed. Despite the high cost of seeds, summer residents prefer varieties and hybrids of Dutch selection, knowing that they will get good results. The main thing is to take into account the characteristics of the variety and cultivation of the crop, and follow the recommendations of breeders.

Description

This cucumber hybrid is an ultra-early hybrid - from the moment of germination of the seed material to the harvesting of the first ripe gherkins, a little more than a month passes, but no more than one and a half.
What does F1 mean in the name of the variety?
Cucumber does not require pollination by insects, since it is parthenocarpic, and its ovaries are formed without pollination. Up to 90% of flowers (or more) on the vines of Madita F1 cucumbers are of the female type.

The seed material has a high germination rate - almost 100% of the seeds sprout.

The plant is of an indeterminate type, the central shoot is not limited in growth, lateral shoots are formed in large numbers, but are limited in growth, with a large number of leaves. The foliage is medium in size, lobed, carved, rich emerald color.

The flowers are yellow, small in size, collected in bouquet-type inflorescences. Each of them can bear up to 7 fruits.

The cucumbers of this hybrid are small in size: up to 9 cm in length and up to 2.5 cm in diameter. The weight of a gherkin is about 70 g. Gherkins are distinguished by their elongated cylindrical shape.

Ofazende.ru also recommends the cucumber variety Platinum F1

The skin of the fruit is compacted, with clearly visible tubercles and light spines, as well as light pubescence, dark emerald color with short light stripes at the base of the fruit.

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The pulp is juicy, tender, there is no bitterness in it at the genetic level, and there are no voids observed. The taste of the fruit is pleasant, sweetish, with a characteristic cucumber aroma.

Ripe fruits need to be collected as they ripen so that new ovaries appear on the cucumber vines.

The harvested crop can easily withstand transportation over any distance, and also has good shelf life.

Description and characteristics of the variety


Madita F1 grows in open bushes and is a bunched parthenocarpic hybrid.
Cucumber is cultivated in open beds, greenhouses with temporary shelter, heated greenhouses, and tunnels. It forms many female inflorescences, the number of ovaries in 1 node reaches 4-6. Ripening dates are early - 38-45 days from full germination.

What are the characteristics of fruits?

  • gherkin type;
  • length 8-9 cm;
  • weight 60-80 g;
  • dark green color;
  • the tubercles are large;
  • pubescence is white;
  • spines dense;
  • the pulp is crunchy, juicy;
  • The taste is classic, aromatic, without bitterness.

The fruits are collected at the gherkins and pickles stage for winter harvesting.

Diseases and pests

This Dutch hybrid cucumber has high immunity, therefore it is resistant to most diseases and pests characteristic of other varieties of cucumbers, in particular to such as:

  • olive spot;
  • cucumber mosaic virus;
  • downy and true powdery mildew.

The main advantages of the variety

The main advantages of this cucumber hybrid include:

  • good productivity;
  • resistance to most diseases;
  • ultra-early ripening of gherkins;
  • good appearance of greenies;
  • the harvested crop is distinguished by its versatility - it is applied fresh and used for preparing preparations for the winter;
  • the hybrid is resistant to stressful situations;
  • tolerates temperature fluctuations calmly.

Related article:

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Preparing the landing site

Since this cucumber hybrid requires fertile soil, a sufficient amount of fertilizer should be added when preparing the site. To do this, add up to 12 kg of rotted manure or compost to each square of area, as well as 1.5 tbsp. l. phosphorus and potassium.

The site should be in a sunny place, and the soil should not retain moisture, otherwise the cucumber bushes may be affected by root rot.

Also, you should not plant this cucumber hybrid in lowlands or where groundwater may come too close to the surface of the earth.

Seed material can be sown directly into prepared beds in the second half of May, or grown in seedlings. To do this, the seeds are planted at home approximately 26-28 days before transplanting the seedlings to a permanent place.

Landing Features

Cucumber is the most common crop among gardeners, but also the most demanding. The Madita variety was created by breeders not only for areas with a warm climate, but also for the northern regions. At the same time, preparing a garden and germinating seeds is the same for all regions.

Site preparation

In order for the Madita variety to sprout quickly and vigorously and bear fruit until the end of the season, it is necessary to prepare the soil for planting. Experienced gardeners have been preparing the land for planting cucumbers since the fall. To do this, it is enough to add 9-11 kg of manure or compost and 25-30 g of potassium-phosphorus mixture during digging.

At the beginning of spring, when the snow melts and all organic fertilizers have rotted and mineral fertilizers have been absorbed, you must dig again to increase the air permeability of the soil. Soil acidity should not be higher than 8%. Cucumber loves light loamy soils.

Germination of seeds

Regardless of the region of planting, cucumber seeds must be germinated. Seeds of hybrid varieties such as Madita f1 or Prestige f1 are collected on agricultural farms. They are not subject to independent selection. Therefore, seeds do not require mandatory calibration.

Before germination, cucumber seeds are cleaned by soaking them for 30 minutes in a weak solution of potassium permanganate or rubbed with aloe juice. Thanks to this treatment, it is possible to protect the crop of the Madita variety from many known diseases of the root system.

After preparation, wrap the seeds in cotton cloth and place them on a plate. If there is a risk of constant drafts, then the seeds of the Madita variety can be covered with a glass jar on top. The room temperature should not fall below +18°C.

Planting seedlings

The Madita f1 variety is considered resistant to frost and harsh climates, so sprouted seeds can be immediately planted in the ground. However, in order for the cucumber to gain good immunity, it is better to plant seedlings first.

For seedlings, you need to stock up on several dozen small plastic or cardboard jars (0.3-0.5 l). Fill them with soil and humus in a 3:1 ratio, or buy a mixture for seedlings in the store. Typically, all useful minerals and organic fertilizers have already been added to such a mixture.

A seed of this variety should be immersed in the ground no more than 2 cm. Place the cups with seedlings on a windowsill or in another bright, warm place without drafts or strong temperature changes. Madita cucumber seedlings should be planted in the ground after 3 leaves appear, approximately 28-29 days after planting.

Sowing seeds for seedlings

Cucumbers are a vegetable crop with a very delicate root system, so it does not tolerate frequent transplants, which can damage the roots. In this case, the plants get sick for a long time, do not grow well, and after transplantation such seedlings are weaker, their fruiting begins late, and the fruits may be smaller in size than stated in the description.

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Therefore, seed material is planted immediately in separate pots - no more than two seeds in one container. After the plants have grown, the weaker plant is removed from the pot by simply pinching it off at the surface of the soil.

The soil for planting seedlings must be fertile and loose; you can purchase it in gardening stores, or prepare it yourself by mixing garden soil, compost or humus, peat and river sand in equal proportions. Phosphorus-potassium fertilizer is also added to such a nutrient substrate, then all ingredients are mixed well and spilled with a weak solution of potassium permanganate for disinfection. After this, the nutritious soil mixture is ready to be placed in containers.

After sowing, the soil is moistened with a spray bottle and covered with film until shoots appear. The room temperature should be about +26 degrees Celsius. After the sprouts appear, the polyethylene is removed, the containers are moved to well-lit window sills, and the room temperature is reduced to 21-22 degrees Celsius.

Features of agricultural technology

When growing Dutch cucumbers, attention is paid to the characteristics of the hybrid and the breeders' recommendations for specific varieties. Achieving the yield indicators stated in the description is possible only if the crop’s agricultural technology is followed, proper fertilizing, and correct formation of bushes.

Growing in a greenhouse


Cucumbers of the parthenocarpic group are most often cultivated in glass, polycarbonate, film greenhouses, and tunnels. They are resistant to various fungal infections, get sick less, and quickly adapt when transplanted.

In most regions of the Russian Federation, seedlings are first grown, planting seedlings in shelters at the age of 22-25 days. In the middle zone, the landing time is the beginning of May, in the regions of Siberia and the Urals - the last ten days of the month.

On a note!

The exact timing of planting in greenhouses is determined by weather conditions, type of shelter, and the presence or absence of a heating system.

4-6 days after planting, the bushes are watered, then irrigation is carried out regularly, preventing the soil from drying out. For better results, planting in shelters is mulched with hay, grass, straw, and peat. Mulch will protect against drought, waterlogging, and prevent the growth of weeds.

Increase watering from the moment of flowering, adding up to 5 liters of water to each adult bush. Use only warm and settled water, pour into the grooves, trying not to get on the leaf blades of the plants.

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Vigorous Dutch hybrids require regular fertilization. Alternate organic and mineral compositions, root and foliar procedures. Cucumbers respond well to the addition of mullein (diluted in water 1:10), an infusion of fermented grass. But nitrogen compounds are permissible only at the beginning of the growing season; later, priority is given to phosphorus and potassium additives.

An excess of nitrogen leads to an increase in the above-ground parts of plants, rapid growth of shoots, and leaf mass to the detriment of the ovaries. Therefore, with the beginning of flowering, superphosphate, potassium sulfate, and wood ash are added to the fertilizer. Plants react positively to the application of fertilizing in chelate form, as well as spraying the leaves with solutions of iodine and boric acid.

When forming bushes, the specifics of the hybrid (beam, regular, generative or vegetative type), and growing conditions are taken into account.


Approximate diagram:

  • in the first axils of the leaves (up to 3-4), the ovaries are removed;
  • at a height of up to 50 cm, according to the growth of the shoot, pinch the side shoots into one ovary and two leaves;
  • Above, a pair of ovaries and 2-3 leaves are left (up to a height of 130-150 cm);
  • pinch the lateral shoots above the third leaf, leaving 3-4 ovaries.

Parthenocarpic species are grown in a greenhouse on trellises. This allows you to provide the crop with comfortable conditions for growth and fruiting:

  • good lighting;
  • sufficient supply area;
  • uniform load on the bush.

As soon as the first fruits appear, the greens are regularly removed from the bushes. Gardeners value the “Dutch” for high-quality cucumbers that do not overgrow or turn yellow. But a delay in harvesting leads to a slowdown in the formation of new batches of fruits and a decrease in overall yield.

Growing in open ground beds

For planting in beds, bee-pollinated cucumbers are used, which require the presence of insects during the flowering period. Dutch varieties successfully adapt to local conditions and quickly begin to produce good harvests of greens. It is recommended to plant plants at distances (up to 45-50 cm), since powerful hybrids need freedom and a large feeding area. They are grown in a spread, sometimes they install supports with trellises, as well as nets.

Watering takes into account weather conditions and amount of precipitation. While the cucumbers are not blooming, watering once every 3-4 days is enough, the norm is up to 1-1.5 liters per bush. With the beginning of flowering and fruiting in the absence of precipitation, apply 4-5 liters per adult plant. On ridges, as in greenhouses, the soil must be mulched with peat, straw, and hay.

Even on fertile soils, cucumbers require additional feeding. The crop quickly takes nutrients from the soil, requiring a constant supply of food. On soils with poor composition and without fertilizing, even the most productive hybrids will not show their potential.

From the beginning of cultivation (approximately 18-20 days after planting the seedlings), the cucumbers are fed with nitrogen compounds (mullein, poultry droppings diluted with water). Then, during the period of the beginning of flowering and the formation of ovaries, potassium and phosphorus additives are added.

There is no need to form varieties in the garden; you just need to pinch out too long side shoots. When grown in spreads, plants form a continuous green carpet on the beds, so when collecting greens, they try not to break the shoots and leaves.

On a note!

In bouquet-type hybrids, cucumbers form in the axils on the central shoot; in other species, cucumbers grow both on the main stem and on the side shoots.

In cloudy weather and prolonged rains, when insects do not fly, plants are pollinated by hand using female and male flowers. To transfer pollen, use a brush or cotton swab. To attract bees to the beds, plant honey plants (clover, phacelia) nearby and spray the plantings with sweet water.

Seedling care

Further care for growing seedlings is standard - regular watering, fertilizing (a couple of times during cultivation), as well as hardening off the seedlings about a week before transplanting the plants to a permanent place.

The soil in the pots should be constantly moist, but without stagnation of moisture in the soil. For fertilizing, you can use urea or nitroammophoska. Moreover, the interval between applying fertilizers should be at least 10-12 days.

Transplanting seedlings

The seedlings of this cucumber are transplanted to a permanent place in a greenhouse or garden approximately 25 days after germination. In this case, each plant should have at least 3-4 permanent leaves. At the same time, the seedlings should not be overgrown, otherwise such plants will take longer to take root in a new place.

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In greenhouse conditions, no more than 3 seedlings of this hybrid cucumber are planted on each square of area, and up to 5 plants in the garden beds.

The soil on the site should be neutral acidity, well permeable to water and air.

Choosing the right variety of Dutch cucumbers

Every year new products from the Dutch selection of cucumbers appear in stores. Old varieties that have already been tested and tested in different regions are not losing ground, and promising new hybrids are actively being bought up. The line includes cucumbers of various ripening periods, parthenocarpic and bee-pollinated, salad types and for pickles and preservation.

Parthenocarpic cucumbers


Species that do not require pollination form an ovary without seeds in the pulp (or with a small number). The hybrids are productive and have proven themselves well in the conditions of Russian regions.

Among them:

  • Athena is an early parthenocarpic; greens have a delicate taste. Fruit type: gherkins, large-tubercular, suitable for canning and pickling. This hybrid is often grown in winter shelters, obtaining high yields. Feature: suitability for long-term transportation;
  • Bettina cucumber is a hybrid from the group of early cucumbers, bred by breeders of the Nunems company. Recommended for OG beds, produces dense, leveled greens up to 10-12 cm long. The taste is excellent;
  • Madita F1 cucumber is a stayer cucumber, it begins to bear fruit on the 37-40th day and quickly yields its harvest. The fruits are 6-8 cm long, smooth, with a dense structure. Feature of the plant: limited branching, which simplifies the care of plantings;
  • cucumber Monolith F1 - beautiful, slightly elongated greens (length up to 12 cm) hang on the bushes during the ripening period. Productivity is high (10-11 kg/m²), taste characteristics are excellent. The fruits are suitable for long-term transportation;
  • Karina is an early and productive species; it bears fruit in shelters and on open ground ridges. The greens are smooth, small, the pulp is without bitterness and voids. Recommended for preparations (preservation, salting);
  • Baby Mini cucumber is mid-season in terms of ripening, forms a lot of dense, even fruits up to 7 cm long. According to reviews, one of the best hybrids for preservation. The yield indicators are impressive - 18 kg/m²;
  • cucumber Magdalena F1 - considered one of the best gherkin-type hybrids. Zelentsy are harvested in the pickle and gherkin stage, harvest rates are 8-9 kg/m²;
  • cucumber Karin F1 is a bouquet type cucumber, up to 5-7 ovaries are formed in one node. Zelentsy ripen gradually, but maximum yield is possible only with adequate and frequent feeding. Fees – up to 15 kg per square meter;
  • cucumber Platinum F1 is a hybrid that requires fertilizing and is distinguished by powerful growth, strong strong bushes with numerous shoots. The fruits are dark green, small (up to 7-8 cm long), with juicy crispy pulp.

Bee-pollinated varieties and hybrids of Dutch selection


Their number is not as large as parthenocarpics, but they are all productive and have excellent taste. Planting in open-air beds is recommended, since pollination by insects is necessary during the flowering stage. When cultivating in shelters, you will need to attract bees to greenhouses or pollinate the plants manually.

On a note!

Many experienced gardeners believe that cucumbers pollinated by bees are tastier than parthenocarpics and self-pollinated cucumbers.

In the description of a number of cucumbers, manufacturers indicate that replanting of pollinator varieties (with male flowers) is necessary. For every 7-10 bushes of a bee-pollinated cucumber variety for open ground, one pollinator bush is planted.

Hybrids:

  • Ajax is a tall, powerful plant. Pollination by insects is necessary, so the hybrid is recommended for outdoor planting. Zelentsy are cylindrical in shape, up to 12 cm in length, weighing 90-100 g. The tubercles on the skin are large, there is white pubescence;
  • Pioneer F1 is closer in terms of ripening to late hybrids (50-52 days). A productive and stable cucumber, easy to care for. Not susceptible to fungal infections, shows tolerance to viral and bacterial diseases. Fruits with pimples, with black spines;
  • Sonata is a quickly ripening (40-42 days) species, recommended for planting in greenhouses, as well as for cultivation in beds. Stable yield, good taste of fruits and early ripeness are the main advantages of the Sonata F1 cucumber;
  • Lord F1 - grown throughout the country, including in the regions of the Urals and Siberia. It has performed well in areas with cold climates and does not reduce yields in unfavorable weather. Fruits with white spines, up to 11-12 cm long, good taste.;
  • Levina F1 is a first generation hybrid well known to Russian summer residents. Included in the State Register catalog since 1994, grown in beds in the OG. Fruits without bitterness, 9-12 cm long, good taste. Requires pollination by insects.

Further care

In the future, the bushes of this cucumber should be cared for as follows:

  1. Drip irrigation is provided, or water is applied to the furrows between the rows.
  2. After watering, it is mandatory to mulch the root zone with sawdust or straw.
  3. Loosen the soil after watering or after rains to remove the dry crust that forms.
  4. All weeds are removed at least 1-2 times a week.
  5. During the season, the bushes of this cucumber need to be fed with mineral fertilizers containing phosphorus and potassium to ensure good plant productivity.
  6. As they grow, the cucumber vines are tied to installed trellises or other supports. In this case, it will be easier to care for cucumber vines and collect ripe gherkins.
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