Cucumber Grasshopper

Many summer residents and farmers like to grow early maturing types of cucumbers, which bear fruit stably without requiring intensive farming. These include the hybrid variety Grasshopper, developed by Russian scientists.

Grasshopper is a hybrid, which was created at the agricultural firm "Manul" by a group of breeders Borisov A. V., Krylov O. N. and Goryachenkov A. V. in 2002. In 2004, the vegetable crop was included in the State Register of Breeding Achievements of the Russian Federation. The culture is zoned in seven regions of the country - Central, North-West, North-Caucasian, Central Black Earth, Middle Volga, Volgo-Vyatka and North. The hybrid is productive, growing in garden beds, as well as under film shelters.

Cucumber Grasshopper is a vigorous bush of an indeterminate type, endowed with medium branching, long lashes, strong thickening of bright green leaves, as well as a developed root system. The main stem is quite powerful, growing up to 2 meters in height. During the flowering period, light yellow female-type flowers appear on the bushes. Up to 3-6 ovaries are formed in each bunch. The hybrid belongs to the parthenocarpic species, that is, to self-pollinated, therefore it does not need additional pollination by bees.

The ultra-early cucumber is characterized by excellent commercial qualities. On an adult bush, neat greens ripen, weighing 90-110 grams and up to 10-12 cm long. The shape of cucumbers is unusual - fusiform or fusiform-cylindrical. The skin of cucumbers is of medium density, covered with medium-sized tubercles, white pubescence, and also weak ribbing. The color of zelents is uniform - bright green, diluted with light stripes.

Selected cucumbers easily tolerate long-distance transportation, and can also be stored for a long time in a cool place (5-7 days). It is not recommended to allow the cucumbers to overripe, otherwise a void will appear in the pulp. Experienced gardeners are advised to pick cucumbers up to 7 cm long.

Cucumbers Grasshopper are famous for their excellent taste. The flesh of the vegetable is fleshy, moderately dense, tender, crispy and juicy, without voids, wateriness and bitterness. The taste of zelenets is balanced - slightly sweetish, perfectly combined with a bright, refreshing aroma. The vegetable peel is elastic, without hardness and bitterness.

Ripe greens are characterized by a universal purpose - they are eaten fresh, added to salads, pickled.

The hybrid belongs to the category of ultra-early. From the moment the shoots appear until the fruits ripen, it takes up to 42 days. Zelens grow gradually, so the fruiting period is extended. In some regions, cucumbers ripen before the first frost. Mass harvesting begins in the last week of June if the vegetable is grown in a greenhouse, and from mid-July if it is outdoors.

The cucumber variety is claimed to be high yielding. Having provided the culture with good agricultural technology, you can count on an average of 10-14 kg of crispy cucumbers from 1 m2.In greenhouse conditions, the yield indicators are slightly higher - up to 20 kg / m2.

It is important not only to take care of the plant, but first plant it correctly, observing the scheme and the distance between the plantings. It is recommended to place 2-3 bushes per 1 m2 if it is a greenhouse, and 3-4 bushes if planted in a garden bed. The optimal layout for planting is 50x50 cm.

You can plant cucumbers in the greenhouse in mid-May, and in the beds in the first week of June. For this, the soil should warm up and the temperature regime should stabilize (+ 15 ... 20 degrees). Suitable seedlings are considered to have strengthened stems 20-25 cm high, with 4-5 true leaves and a developed rhizome.

Caring for ultra-early cucumbers consists of basic procedures - watering with warm water, feeding every 2 weeks, fluffing and weeding the soil, installing supports and tying bushes, preventing diseases. In addition, greenhouses need ventilation.

The culture gives high yields if it grows in comfortable conditions - loose, fertile soil, good air and moisture permeability, as well as an area where there is a lot of light, sun, there is protection from cold winds and drafts. As protection from the wind, you can plant corn around the perimeter of the site. The soil must have a neutral level of acidity, and the groundwater must be deep.

Grasshopper is a thermophilic plant capable of growing in different climatic zones, but it does not tolerate prolonged shade and sudden temperature jumps.

Due to its good immunity, the vegetable crop is resistant to a number of diseases - the cucumber mosaic virus, cladosporia, powdery mildew. In addition, the plant is very tolerant of downy mildew.