Cucumber Competitor got its name for a reason. It really deserves the best reviews from consumers and gardeners. Grown on the territory of the Russian Federation since the 80th year of the last century. Initially it was bred in the southern region, but over time they began to grow in the cooler part of the country.
Cucumber seeds "Competitor"
Cucumber Competitor
General characteristics of cucumbers
The variety is early maturing and thermophilic, therefore it is planted in open ground no earlier than the last days of May. The root system is quite developed at the initial stages - in comparison with the stem, the root grows 2-3 times larger. When the fruits ripen, the bush takes on the size of a rhizome. The peculiarity is the rapid growth of the stems on which antennae are localized. With their help, the bush clutches at any supporting structures.
After germination of the sprouts, very little time passes for the first flowers to appear, which are equally divided into female and male. With an abundance of heat, the flowers begin to open very early - at about 4 o’clock in the morning. In cooler regions, the time shifts by 2 hours. The period of existence of inflorescences is a maximum of 2 weeks, after which they fall. In their place, ovaries with fruits are formed.
Grade description
The competitor belongs to an indeterminate variety, therefore it is not limited in growth. The bush is characterized by the following indicators:
- the maximum length of the main stem is 2 meters or more;
- the setting of the ovaries has a tendency to bundle;
- lash - powerful, branching - moderate;
- pollinated at a high level;
- the stalks are long (up to 7 cm).
Features of the fruit:
- shape - oval, cylindrical;
- color - dark green;
- the surface of the cucumber is lumpy with the presence of soft thorns;
- length - 10-13 cm;
- weight - 110-140 grams;
- bitterness is absent;
- the taste is sweet;
- aroma - pronounced;
- the pulp is juicy.
The variety has a wide range of uses - for salads, canning, pickling, salting. In addition, it has a long shelf life and is therefore used for sale.
Ripening time and yield
The competitor matures quickly enough. If planted in the ground in spring, then in 40-50 days you can harvest. If the planting is carried out later, then the ripening time is also reduced - the fruits can be eaten after 32-35 days.
Productivity depends on weather conditions. In warm climatic conditions, the fruiting period is 3 months, with coolness it decreases. On average with 1 square. m you can collect from 3 to 6 kilograms of fruit.
Pros and cons
Main advantages:
- crop stability over a long period of time;
- excellent taste indices;
- transportability;
- duration of preservation;
- decent presentation;
- ease of care and nurturing;
- pollination;
- good yield;
- disease resistance powdery mildew;
- quick survival of seedlings;
- power of the root system and the bush.
Disadvantages:
- if the cucumber is not collected in a timely manner, the peel turns yellow;
- with overgrowth, the peel hardens and cracks;
- if not watered enough, bitterness forms.
Sowing seeds
This variety is designed for seedling and seedling method of cultivation. In the southern part of the country, seeds are laid in open ground, in cool regions, seedlings are first grown, which is transplanted into the garden.
Seed preparation
If you plan to plant your own seeds, know that the best germination is provided in the 2nd or 3rd year. Accordingly, if you store the seeds in a cool place without high humidity. It is permissible to use the competitor's seed for 6 years.
How to prepare grains:
- sort - to do this, dip in salted water for 10-15 minutes, and remove the pop-up elements;
- flush the seeds;
- disinfect - make a weak solution of manganese, dip the seeds into it for 24 hours;
- soak the seeds in water;
- transfer to wet gauze;
- let it germinate.
Landing dates
With the seedling method of growing cucumbers, the Competitor calculates the planting period. For this, the date of diving into the open ground is determined. From it you need to count back about a month. For example, a transfer to a permanent place is planned for May 1. This means that the seeds are planted on April 1-5.
With a seedless planting, temperature requirements are observed: the soil and air must have a temperature of at least 15-16 degrees. If an urgent disembarkation is required, then use the following expert advice:
- prepare the ground;
- cover the area with black film;
- let stand for at least 4 days.
Seat selection
It is recommended to plant cucumbers every year in a new place. The best plot for the Competitor is considered to be the land on which tomatoes, onions, cabbage, and potatoes grew last year. Cannot be planted after legumes and carrots.
Soil preparation
The competitor is considered an unpretentious plant, but to increase the yield, it is necessary to prepare the soil. About 30 days before planting, decontamination is carried out. To do this, the earth is poured with a weak solution of manganese or scalded with boiling water. After 2 weeks, the soil is digged with simultaneous fertilization. To do this, you need to make a solution (dosage is indicated on 2 square meters):
- 20 liters of compost or slurry;
- 60 grams of urea;
- 30 grams of potassium chloride;
- 60 grams of superphosphate;
- 40 grams of potassium sulfate.
Mix the components thoroughly, water the area.
Sowing patterns
Since the competitor's stems are growing rapidly, it is advisable to grow the variety on trellises. To do this, 2 rows of seeds are sown (seedlings are planted) with a distance of 20-40 cm, and wooden pegs are driven in between them every meter. A wire clings to them or rails are mounted.
Features of planting seedlings
The competitor's root system does not differ in increased capacity, therefore, it is advisable to plant sprouted seeds in peat pots or briquettes. In this case, the root will not be damaged during the pick. In each pot, 2 seeds are laid.
Features of planting in open ground
When planting in the garden, it is advisable to follow the 40x40 cm scheme, but with the trellis method, a 20x40 cm scheme is suitable. Planting is carried out after disinfecting the soil and applying complex fertilizer. That is, after preparing the soil.
In order for the seeds to sprout faster and the crop to be significant, be sure to fluff up the ground and saturate it with humus.
Caring for a Competitor
It is a pleasure to look after a Competitor, because the variety is considered to be completely unpretentious. But there are still special rules.
Bush formation
A competitor can grow almost in the wild, so if you do not have the time and desire to tie it up, then let the growth of the stems take their course. They will be conveniently located on the ground and create side shoots. But in this case it is necessary to increase the distance between the bushes. You need to know that with the horizontal method of growing this variety, the yield decreases and the ripening period increases. This is due to the fact that there is no possibility of normal ventilation.
But in order to get the harvest as early as possible, the shoots are pinched. On each of them, you need to leave about 6 leaves. In order to exclude thickening, which reduces fruiting, it is important after the cucumbers begin to form, to cut off the primary shoots with garden shears. The rest are tied to a trellis wire. It is advisable to do a pinch after the formation of 5-6 sheets.
Watering
Until the time when the bushes are completely stronger, you need to water the seedlings in small quantities, but often. In the future, the situation radically changes - more water is introduced, and the frequency decreases.
Rules:
- Moistening time - morning or evening.
- It is impossible to pour cold water, but it is also not recommended to water with a liquid too overheated in the sun.
- Before the formation of the first flowers, watering is carried out once a week. For 1 square. m you need to make up to 4 liters of liquid.
- During flowering, 5 liters per square meter is sufficient every 4 days.
- When fruiting, the soil is moistened after 2 days, 7 liters each.
When grown in greenhouse conditions or under a film, after watering, careful ventilation is required. Therefore, the film is left open for a couple of hours.
Weeding and cultivation
Loosening is necessary for the entry of oxygen and nutrients into the root system. Weeding helps avoid morbidity. Given the weak root system of the Competitor, these manipulations are carried out with extreme caution without intensive deepening of the tools.
Fertilization
Cucumber beds need to be fed periodically, although this is not so important for the Competitor. But the quality of the fruit and the yield depend on this.
After 3 weeks after planting, fertilizers are applied every 15 days. You can use mullein, manure, chicken droppings, tinctures from herbs (dandelion, nettle). Additionally, a superphosphate solution is used.
Pests and diseases
The variety is not too susceptible to morbidity, but sometimes for one reason or another this happens. What diseases and pests the Competitor may have:
- The spotting is angular and olive, cladosporium, common mosaic and powdery mildew. Copper-based drugs (Bordeaux liquid, copper oxychloride) are used against these diseases.
- Aphids and ticks. The bushes must be treated with a solution of malofos (10 percent) or with Aktofit.
How to harvest and store crops?
Cucumbers are harvested in the early morning time so that they still keep the coolness and freshness of the night. Collection is carried out daily or every 2 days. Depending on the yield (the more often to ripen ripe fruits, the more ovaries are formed). Remove the fruits with garden shears.
For storage, wooden boxes with large gaps between slats or baskets are used. The containers are placed in the coolest room possible. Under such conditions, they retain their structure for up to 10 days.
Reviews
Anton, 52 years old. I know a competitor since Soviet times, we have been growing it for many years. What I like: unpretentiousness, taste, versatility of use, shelf life. There are no problems with him at all. And the seed material is always excellent - there are almost no hollow seeds. Profitable, tasty and a lot.
Galina, 39 years old. I have been growing vegetables for a couple of years. And last year the Competitor caught my eye. The saleswoman promised that there was no need to look after him, so I bought it. And before that I took other varieties, and somehow there were problems with the harvest, after all, I plant in the country and do not come every day. In general, planted with seedlings, then transferred to the ground. And I planted the other part immediately in the ground for the sake of experiment. To my surprise, in both cases, I got an excellent result. And the taste of the fruit is quite good. I tried canning - and in this case the cucumber did not disappoint (the taste is excellent, the crunch is present). In short, for me, as a beginner, the Competitor is just a godsend.
Ivan
Last year, my grandfather asked my mother to buy cucumber seeds. He passed away last year. This year I decided to prove to my mother that I am responsible and planted a cucumber. A few days after sowing, a sprout appeared, and the next day it increased in size. A very good and interesting variety of cucumbers.
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Competitive cucumbers can be grown by experienced gardeners as well as novice vegetable growers. The variety has a lot of advantages, does not require large financial costs, and you can use homemade seeds. But before planting, be sure to carefully study all the intricacies of growing and caring - only in this case the cucumber bush will reward you with many fruits.
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Russia. City: Zheleznogorsk
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