Cucumbers "Prestige": variety description, planting and care
More than ten years ago, amateur gardeners learned about a new variety of cucumbers. The appearance of this hybrid is the merit of Russian breeders. Cucumbers "Prestige" is a high-yielding variety, the cultivation of which does not require special skills and abilities. The taste qualities of this species receive only positive reviews. This article will tell about other features of the Prestige F1 variety.
Peculiarities
The characteristic of "Prestige" suggests that this variety of mid-early cucumbers was bred exclusively for cultivation in open ground. However, in the greenhouse, this species also gives a good harvest. The description should begin with the fact that this is a medium-sized plant that has predominantly female flowers. The ripening period of this variety is approximately forty to forty-five days. The plant calmly tolerates sudden changes in temperature, grows well even in a shaded area.
The ripe fruit of the Prestige variety is eight to nine centimeters long and weighs an average of seventy to eighty grams. Cucumbers grow into a neat cylindrical shape, dark green in color, with small spikes on the peel. Also on cucumbers there are small white stripes.
The pulp of this variety is very tender, juicy, has no bitterness. All fruits ripen almost simultaneously. There are no voids inside a ripe cucumber. Fruit seeds are tender, not hard at all. The peel is quite dense, thanks to which this species perfectly withstands transportation.
In addition, the variety "Prestige" has a high yield. From one square meter, you can collect up to twenty-five kilograms of ripe cucumbers.The fruits are universal, they are perfect both for fresh consumption (preparing salads and slicing), and for winter pickles.
If we continue to talk about the features and advantages of the variety, then It is worth noting the long period of fruiting and high resistance to various diseases. The plant is completely unpretentious, is self-pollinating. Also, the Prestige variety tolerates transplanting well.
Landing and care rules
Neutral soil is suitable for this type of cucumber. The best time to plant is in the spring, after the frost has ended. The temperature on the day of planting should be between +15°C and +22°C. If you want to harvest an early harvest, then you should take care of the seedlings in a timely manner. This should be done a month before landing in open ground. As a rule, this is the middle or end of April. In order to avoid problems with transplanting, seeds should be sown in special peat containers.
Pre-seeds must be treated with a special solution that stimulates the subsequent active growth of plants. Then they should be placed in a damp rag bag for a couple of days. As soon as the seeds germinate, you can plant them in a prepared container. Sprouts will appear within the first week. At this stage, it is important to water the sprouts on time.
In order for the plants to survive transplanting into open ground without stress, it is worth taking care of top dressing two weeks before planting. This should be a special fertilizer intended for seedlings.
The soil on the site must also be prepared. The earth should be dug up and fertilized in advance. Then you need to prepare the holes. Planted plants in a checkerboard pattern at a distance of thirty centimeters from each other.
This variety of cucumbers is also perfect for sowing directly into the ground, without using the seedling method. In this case, it is worth starting sowing around mid-May. Of course, it all depends on the climate of a particular region. The main thing is that the weather is warm and the earth warm enough. Prepared seeds are planted to a depth of up to three centimeters.
It is also worth observing a distance of thirty centimeters between the seeds.
Variety "Prestige" does not require special attention and special care. The main thing is to moisten the soil in a timely manner. This plant does not tolerate drought. Therefore, try to water on time, preventing the soil from drying out. Watering is best done in the evening. The water should be warm, the plant should be watered under the root, without moistening the leaves. Young plants before fruiting can be watered twice a week, and older plants - every two days. However, it is also impossible to overmoisten the earth, otherwise the delicate and fragile roots of plants will begin to rot.
It is also important not to forget about top dressing, which should be done two weeks after the plant is planted in open ground. Try to use different fertilizers. For example, if you alternate organic and mineral fertilizers, this will not only improve the health of plants, but also have a positive effect on the crop.
Do not forget to spray the plants with special prophylactic agents against pests. Timely care will prevent the appearance of insects. If aphids have already appeared on the leaves, then you will need a special tool - an insecticide. Spraying in this case should be carried out only in warm, dry weather.
You will learn more about how to grow Prestige cucumbers in the following video.