Cucumber Athlete

Cucumber hybrid Athlete has a high yield, shade tolerance and long fruiting times. The variety is recommended for industrial cultivation, including in the winter-spring turnover.

The hybrid appeared in 1999. The authors of this variety are: S. F. Gavrish, V. V. Portyankin, A. V. Shamshina, G. P. Dodonov. Included in the State Register in 2002.

The plant is characterized by unlimited growth, side shoots are formed in an average volume. The root system is very powerful, capable of recovering quickly. This is a bee-pollinated hybrid, blooms with male (up to 30%) and female (up to 70%) flowers, collected in bunches of 2 pcs. From 9 to 16 bunches appear on the central stem. For higher fruiting, planting of pollinators is required: Runner F1, Casanova F1, Macho F1, Tarzan F1, about 1-2 bushes per 10 Athlete bushes. The variety is suitable for tall plastic or polycarbonate greenhouses. The variety can be grown on an artificial substrate (low volume hydroponics).

The bush is vigorous, the main lash reaches a length of 3-3.5 m, many leaves grow, they are large, smooth, green. A medium-sized cucumber, up to 18-20 cm, 3.5-4.5 cm in diameter, weighs 138-177 g, has a cylindrical shape, the skin color is dark green with longitudinal small stripes, the surface is covered with sparse tubercles, the flesh is crispy and juicy, the taste is sweetish cucumber, the aroma is pronounced.

Cucumbers are suitable for preparing salads, cold summer dishes, and slicing. They are distinguished by their high presentation. The fruits are stored for about 2 weeks and tolerate transportation very well.

Mid-season species in terms of ripening, cucumbers can be removed 55-60 days after germination. Fruiting before autumn.

6-7 kg are removed from one bush, on average 25.6-27.1 kg per 1 sq. m, maximum yield 32-40 kg. Untimely removal of fruits leads to a decrease in the formation of zelents.

Recommended for growing in the Central, North Caucasian, Volgo-Vyatka, North, North-West regions.

Place no more than 2-3 plants per 1 sq. m, they are recommended to be planted in a checkerboard pattern: 40-55 cm are left between the bushes, about 70 cm between the rows.

Seeds are planted for seedlings from mid-April, transplanted into a greenhouse at the age of 30 days. You can plant on closed beds from the first days of May until the end of the month. The optimum air temperature for planting is 20 degrees, the ground is 12-15 degrees Celsius.

The soil in the beds is prepared in the fall: they dig up and sow with siderates, before the onset of cold weather, the stems are buried in the soil. In winter, snow is brought to polycarbonate greenhouses so that in spring the soil is saturated with moisture. In early spring, the soil is dug up with the addition of compost, ash and phosphorus fertilizers. Dig holes, spill each of them with a pale pink solution of potassium permanganate, then add a growth stimulator. Seedlings are transplanted together with an earthen clod, after planting they are watered and mulched. A shallow trench is dug near the bushes, fertilizing will be introduced into it, and used for watering.

The hybrid is unpretentious to watering, it withstands well both a lack of moisture and an excess of moisture. Irregular watering can affect the taste of the fruit. It is recommended to water it with lukewarm water; with proper watering, the yield is much higher.Before the formation of buds, 15-20 liters are applied per 1 sq. m, during the formation of zelents, the moisture consumption increases to 25-30 liters.

Bushes of this type must be tied up with elastic materials, while it is advisable to install a trellis. The athlete needs mandatory formation: at the first 5 nodes, all stepsons and ovaries are removed. To increase productivity, they lead the bush into one stem, removing the side lashes, pinch the main stem after lowering it from the trellis by 10-20 cm. Often, part of the leaves is removed - the lower part of the central stem should be well ventilated.

From the moment of emergence of seedlings, fertilizers are applied 1-2 times a month. Nitrogen components are suitable for young bushes. After 15-20 days, the transplants in the greenhouse are watered with a solution of ash, chicken droppings or mullein. When the first buds appear, formulations with potassium are added.

When grown in winter, flowers are artificially pollinated.

Varieties require light and fertile soil, loamy and sandy loam soils are suitable. Peat with sand is introduced into heavy clay soils before planting.

The hybrid is characterized by increased shade tolerance, tolerates temperature fluctuations well. Grows well in temperate continental climates. Cucumbers begin to taste bitter from the heat, so the shoots are shaded from direct sunlight.

Pest resistance

The species is resistant to powdery mildew and root rot, can be affected by ascochitis and cucumber mosaic virus. To prevent infection with the mosaic virus, it is necessary to remove weeds and fight against aphids, as they can be a carrier of the disease. During the growing season, spray with the drug "Farmayod". At the first signs of ascochitis, the number of watering is reduced, the greenhouse is ventilated. Shoots and leaves are powdered with chalk, or treated with a solution of copper sulfate. Whitefly can attack from insects. Shoots and leaves are sprayed with infusions of garlic or dandelion; in case of mass lesions, chemical agents are used.

It is not uncommon for gardeners to plant an Athlete to grow for sale. Its yield is at a high level, only it is necessary to regularly water and shade from the sun.