Cucumbers Prestige: variety description, cultivation, advantages and disadvantages

2024 Author: Howard Calhoun | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 10:16

Cucumber is a wild berry from the gourd family native to India. It is difficult to say when people did not know how to grow them. At least, frescoes over 6 thousand years old are known, which depict these fruits. The history of growing cucumbers in Russia begins many centuries ago. It is believed that long before the 9th century it was a popular garden crop among our ancestors. European travelers have always been surprised that, despite the harsh Russian climate, cucumbers grow better than theirs.

Russian selection of cucumbers

For many years, the Murom variety of cucumbers was the leader in Russia. Superbly adapted to the harsh climate, he always gave good yields and had excellent taste. Muromsky became the basis for the selection of many modern varieties. Many territories competed for the cultivation of the best cucumbers. Fortunately, Russian selection was not interrupted even in the dashing 90s of the last century. The popularity of this product and the ease of growing it made it nearly impossible.

In 2007Agrofirm "Sedek" presented a new cucumber hybrid - Prestige. The variety showed itself excellently when grown for the conditions of the central black earth regions and Western Siberia. It takes only 42–45 days from sowing to obtaining the first fruits, which allows it to be grown in open ground. But he feels great under greenhouse conditions or even on the balcony. What contributes to the compactness of the plant.

Description

Cucumber Prestige refers to mid-season varieties. The bush itself is medium-branched, indeterminate. A female flower. The ovaries are formed in bundles of 3-4 pieces. The leaf is dark green. The fruits are short, regular cylindrical shape. The length usually does not exceed 10 cm, and the weight is 90 grams. The color is dark green with a light top, from which short stripes diverge. The fruit is covered with large tubercles and frequent pubescence. Flesh without bitterness, stays crunchy for a long time.

With quality care per square meter, it is easy to collect more than 25 kg of fruit. Fruiting throughout the growing season - until frost. Zelentsy do not outgrow, and after harvesting they retain their presentation for a long time. Suitable for canning. The variety is well adapted to the conditions of a sharp temperature drop, in addition, it is not afraid of shading.

Pros and cons

Like any hybrid, the F1 Cucumber Prestige is very different from its natural predecessors:

1. Gives a stable harvest with the correct observance of all agricultural practices.
2. High fruiting rate.
3. When grown inPrestige cucumbers on one inflorescence produce almost identical fruits in size and color.
4. High biological value of fruits.
5. Resistance to diseases and pests.
6. Easy to grow. They tolerate significant environmental changes well.

Among the shortcomings, only one can be noted - young cucumbers have a rather prickly bristle. Before using them, it is worth washing with a brush. In addition, it is worth remembering that F1 hybrid seeds are most effective only when planted for the first time. If you independently engage in the harvesting of seeds, then subsequent generations can already change their properties.

Growing methods

Cucumbers Prestige were developed for the open ground of the climatic zone of central Russia. But they will feel equally good under a film cover and on a balcony. Just do not forget that this is an indeterminate plant and, like a liana, is practically unlimited in growth. Depending on the landing conditions, a decision is made whether to pinch.

Cucumbers Prestige, planted in seedlings in a greenhouse, need to be limited in growth, but they can give a good harvest from the beginning of May. For this, seedlings are transferred to specially prepared beds, starting from April and during the first month, heating of the greenhouse is required. When grown on a loggia, Prestige can bear fruit long after the first frost. Naturally, at the same time they need additional care.

Agricultural practices

Whenchoosing a landing site for Prestige cucumbers should take into account crop rotation. Some types of nightshades, such as tomatoes, are well suited as predecessor crops. Can be planted after pepper and all types of cabbage. It's good to use the beds after lettuce and root vegetables like turnips.

The earth must be dug up, about a depth of about a bayonet of a shovel. The beds should not be made wider than 1 meter, it will be difficult to care for the plant. The level of the beds is usually made higher than the paths. For early planting, it is good to use not completely burnt compost with the addition of organic fertilizers. It’s good to cover with a film for 10 days beforehand so that the earth warms up to a great depth.

Seedling technology

Depending on how to plant cucumbers, the timing of the first harvest depends. If you want to get an early harvest, you should use the seedling method of planting. For the May harvest, the seeds are planted in March. It is better to use individual peat pots.

Before planting, the seeds are soaked for about a day. Preferably with a growth accelerator. Make sure that the soil under the seedlings does not dry out. On the 5-6th day after planting, the first shoots appear. The bush is ready for transplanting when 5-6 true leaves appear. This usually happens in mid-April.

To get the first harvest in June, seeds for seedlings are planted in April. They are planted in the ground in mid-May. In this case, there is no need to create greenhouse conditions. The main thing is to protect plants from late frosts.

Growingseeds

Consider the option of how to plant cucumber seeds directly into the ground. With early planting - in mid-May, the seeds are not soaked. In this case, the harvest can be obtained by the beginning of July. For a later harvest, it is better to plant in late May - early June. In this case, the seeds are pre-soaked.

When planting, the seeds are deepened by 3 cm and a distance of 30 cm is left between the bushes. After sowing, the bed should be powdered with black pepper. Until the sprouts appear, the bed is left alone.

Care

Cucumbers are a very easy crop to grow. The main thing is to ensure weeding and regular watering. During the fruiting period, the plant should be watered daily. It is best to do this before sunset. Do not use tap water or directly from a well. For irrigation, it is worth using a special tank, where the water is preliminarily settled and warmed up to a temperature of at least 18 ˚С.

The first feeding is done three weeks after germination, and then with a regularity of 7 days. According to reviews, the Prestige cucumber grows better if you plant rock cultures. Corn and sunflowers work well for this.

Cucumbers are well-deservedly popular with summer residents and farmers. An easy-to-grow crop allows you to have fresh vegetables all summer long. Cucumbers are great for pickling and pickling. In winter, this is a great addition to the menu. Even a small garden bed allows you to fully provide the family with this product.