Content
Eggplants have long been included in the list of the most popular crops for growing in summer cottages. If ten years ago it was very easy to choose a variety, now it is more problematic. Breeders constantly offer vegetable growers new, improved hybrids and varieties of eggplants that bear fruit well even in the Northern regions.
Eggplant “Nutcracker F1” is worthy of the attention of gardeners. In a very short time, the hybrid gained popularity due to its characteristics. Let's consider the features of growing eggplant seedlings "Nutcracker F1", as well as the agrotechnical requirements of the plant. To do this, let’s get acquainted with the description of the variety and photo of the “Nutcracker F1” eggplant.
Description and characteristics
For eggplants, summer residents have their own requirements. The variety needs to be high-yielding and universally used. Both useful characteristics are fully expressed in the Nutcracker F1 hybrid, which explains its popularity. After all, the culture cannot be called completely unpretentious. If you grow eggplants from seeds yourself, you will have to spend more time and effort. To get to know the hybrid better, let's start with a description of the plant's parameters:
- Ripening period is early ripening.
- The height of the bush depends on the growing conditions.In open ground, eggplant of the “Nutcracker F1” variety grows no more than 1 m, and in a greenhouse it can reach a size of 1.5 m or more. The plant is semi-spreading and requires a feeding area of at least 1.2 square meters. m.
- The leaves are quite large, almost regular round in shape and have a beautiful dark green hue.
- Forms a lot of ovary, which promotes long-term fruiting.
- The fruits are spherical and pear-shaped, 14-15 cm long with a glossy surface. The weight of one eggplant is 240-250 g. Record holders reach a weight of 750 g.
- The taste is without bitterness, the flesh of the fruit is white.
- The seeds are very small and you will have to buy them annually; the “Nutcracker F1” eggplant is a hybrid.
- Productivity per 1 sq. m area is 20 kg of marketable fruit. The norm from one bush is 5 kg, with proper care it increases to 8 kg.
- Regular and long fruiting.
- It tolerates transportation well, even over long distances.
- Increased keeping quality. During storage, the skin and pulp retain their elasticity.
- Universal use. According to culinary experts, eggplant of the “Nutcracker F1” variety is suitable for preparing first and second courses, appetizers, salads, canning and freezing.
And reviews from vegetable growers indicate that the result obtained fully corresponds to the description of the Nutcracker F1 eggplant variety.
Growing methods
Eggplant is a crop that requires special attention. They have a long growing season, so the method of cultivation directly depends on the climatic conditions of the region. If the summer is short, then the difficulty increases. Eggplants are grown in two ways:
- seedless;
- seedlings
The first will be justified only in southern regions with stable weather. In other regions, it will be safer to grow eggplant seedlings and then transplant the plants to a permanent location.Some gardeners prefer open ground, others prefer a greenhouse. What influences the choice of soil? For the timing of sowing seeds and planting seedlings. If the Nutcracker F1 f1 eggplant is planned to be grown in a greenhouse, then the planting time will be earlier than for open ground. The agrotechnical requirements of “Nutcracker F1a” are almost identical in both cases, only the greenhouse version requires careful maintenance of temperature and humidity.
Growing seedlings
The seedling method is considered the most suitable for growing eggplants in Russia. The Nutcracker F1 eggplant is no exception. The hybrid takes root well and produces the harvest on time if the sowing dates are not violated. It is timing that plays an important role when growing Nutcracker F1 eggplant seedlings. If the seedlings sprout too early, then by the time they are planted in the ground they will stretch out, which will negatively affect the further development of the plants. If you are late, the Nutcracker F1a seedlings will have to be planted later. Accordingly, the yield will be lower or the fruits will not reach the required ripeness by the time of harvesting.
Seed sowing date
According to the description of the eggplant variety “Nutcracker F1”, seedlings are planted in a permanent place at the age of 65-70 days. It takes another week before the first shoots appear. Total 75-80 days. It is better to plant seedlings in open ground no earlier than mid-June; in the southern regions and in a greenhouse - in the second half of May. You should not transfer seedlings to a permanent place before. The eggplant hybrid “Nutcracker F1” loves light and warmth. When the air temperature is below +20°C, pollination of flowers does not occur and fruits do not set on the bushes. Below +15°C, already formed buds and ovaries fall off. Therefore, it is not advisable to rush to transfer plants into the ground.
Approximately determine the day of planting the Nutcracker F1a seedlings using:
- recommendations of the lunar sowing calendar;
- weather forecast for the current year in the region (soil temperature not less than +20°C);
- growing conditions (indoor or open ground).
Subtract 80 days from the obtained date and the day for sowing the seeds of the variety is determined. The date ranges from mid-February to the first ten days of March. Of course, this is not the only condition. The further condition of the Nutcracker F1a seedlings depends on the quality of care.
Pre-planting seed preparation
First, eggplant seeds of the “Nutcracker F1” variety are selected for sowing. All material prepared for sowing is soaked in water at room temperature. It is better to schedule this operation 3-5 days before the sowing date in order to have time to carry out all the preparatory work. Any eggplant seeds that float to the surface are removed. Only those that drowned in the water are left for sowing.
Selected suitable “Nutcracker F1” eggplant seeds are wrapped in damp gauze or cloth before sowing. The fabric is kept moist at all times. It is very good to use a solution of a biostimulator - potassium humate, Zircon or Epin - instead of clean water.
The second preparation option that vegetable growers use is to change temperatures. For 7 days, the planting material is kept in the light during the day and placed in the refrigerator at night.
Preparing soil and containers
Eggplant seedlings “Nutcracker F1” need to prepare fertile, high-quality soil. Many summer residents use ready-made soil for vegetable seedlings, which they purchase in specialized stores. But the majority of farmers prepare the soil mixture themselves. A common and well-proven option:
- humus - 4 parts;
- turf soil - 2 parts;
- river sand – 1 part.
Mix the ingredients and bake in the oven. Additionally, pour the mixture with a strong solution of potassium permanganate and freeze it. Such careful preparation is necessary to protect the Nutcracker F1 eggplant seedlings from pathogenic bacteria and pest larvae in the ground.
Containers are chosen taking into account the fact that the seedlings will have to be replanted. Therefore, it is good to use peat cups or plastic containers with a sliding bottom. This will save the roots of the Nutcracker F1a seedlings from injury. Wash the container with a solution of potassium permanganate, dry it and then fill it with soil. Be sure to place a layer of drainage on the bottom of the dish.
Sowing seeds
Moisten the soil with a spray bottle, make holes in which to place the Nutcracker F1 eggplant seeds. Just before sowing, soak the seeds for 15 minutes in a fungicide solution to disinfect. Any of the drugs will do: Fitosporin-M, Ridomil-Gold, Trichodermin.
Bury the eggplant seeds no more than 1.5 cm and sprinkle with soil. Cover the container with plastic and set aside until shoots appear. During this time, you need to open the crops slightly and moisten the soil as necessary.
Seedling care
As soon as the first shoots are noticed, remove the film and transfer the “Nutcracker F1” eggplant seedlings closer to light and warmth.
Optimally - a window sill. After a week, seedlings are planted in separate pots if the seeds were sown in a common box.
When the first shoots of the Nutcracker F1 eggplant appear, the boxes are placed on a well-lit windowsill, in a warm place. If sowing was done in a common container, seedlings are picked - the sprouts are planted in separate small pots.At the same time, make sure that the roots are not exposed; it is better to move the eggplant seedling “Nutcracker F1” with a lump of earth. The plant is buried down to the cotyledon leaves.
Further care for seedlings of the Nutcracker F1 hybrid consists of creating optimal conditions for plant development. Necessary:
- Monitor the length of daylight hours for seedlings. It should be 12-14 hours. This is a mandatory condition so that the sprouts of the “Nutcracker F1” eggplant are not pale and thin. The seedlings are illuminated with special lamps.
- Maintain temperature within a certain range. For the first 7 days, you need to provide the “Nutcracker F1a” seedlings with +17°C, then raise it to +26°C during the day and +16°C at night.
- Properly water the eggplant seedlings “Nutcracker F1”. Water for watering seedlings is taken at room temperature. Water the seedlings regularly, but without waterlogging. It is best to water the seedlings in the morning. To ensure drainage of excess water, containers are placed on pallets.
- Feed simultaneously with watering. The first time you need to feed the Nutcracker F1 eggplant seedlings is a week after transplanting. Organic substances are optimal - humus, mullein infusion. In the absence of organic matter, you can take the preparations “Sortvorin” or “Kemira-Lux” and use them according to the instructions.
When the eggplant seedlings reach a height of 15-20 cm and have 6 true leaves, you can begin planting them in a permanent growing location. All about eggplant seedlings:
Planting in the ground and caring for plants
The bed for eggplant “Nutcracker F1” must be prepared in advance. The soil is fertilized and dug up. In the greenhouse, they are additionally treated with a hot solution of potassium permanganate.2 weeks before the scheduled planting date, add wood ash (1 liter of powder per 1 linear meter).
Holes for plants are located at a distance of 60 cm or more from each other. In a greenhouse it is better to plant the Nutcracker F1 hybrid in a checkerboard pattern. This is due to the structure of the bush. The Nutcracker F1 eggplant has a spreading bush that needs plenty of space.
Plants are watered an hour before transplanting. Planted deep to the cotyledon leaves and watered. It’s good to immediately mulch the soil with humus or peat. More information about planting seedlings:
Among eggplants, the Nutcracker F1 hybrid is less demanding than other varieties.
Caring for plants requires compliance with certain requirements:
- Regular weeding and loosening of beds. To reduce the amount weed, the soil is covered with mulch. If it is noticed that the roots of “Nutcracker F1a” are exposed, add a layer of mulch. And they loosen at least once every 2 weeks. It is important to do this carefully so as not to damage the roots.
- Watering. After planting in the ground, the seedlings are not watered for a week. “Nutcracker F1” loves water, but in moderation. If you allow too much moisture, the plants will become susceptible to root rot. When growing in a greenhouse, it is necessary to regularly ventilate the room. Most of all, the Nutcracker F1 eggplant requires watering during the ripening period. If it is very hot, watering is repeated after 2-3 days. At normal temperatures, it is enough to moisten the plants in the evening once a week. Sprinkling for the Nutcracker F1 eggplant is contraindicated; drip irrigation would be ideal.
- Feeding. The hybrid has a high yield, so fertilizing needs to be done regularly. The plants will need food for the first time 2 weeks after planting. It must contain nitrogen. In the following fertilizing, nitrogen is not added, but more potassium and phosphorus are added. Feeding is repeated regularly once every 3 weeks. Complex fertilizers (“Master”, “Agricola”, “Gera”, “Novofert”) and folk formulations are well suited for this purpose. For feeding, infusions of wood ash, nettle, bird droppings and mullein are used. If you want to feed the bushes leaf by leaf, you can do this no more than once a month.
- Garter and shaping. Eggplants of the “Nutcracker F1” variety require the formation of a bush. To prevent the fruits from lying on the ground, the plant is tied to supports at 2-3 points. When the height of the bush is 35 cm, the top is pinched. Then 3-4 of the most powerful ones are selected from the side shoots, the rest are cut off to the growth point. Some vegetable growers form a bush into one stem. This technique is best done in a greenhouse.
- Removing dry leaves and faded flowers necessary to prevent the spread of gray mold.
- Adjusting the load on the bush. At the same time, 5-6 fruits are left to ripen on one Nutcracker F1 eggplant plant.
If this is not done, the harvest will consist only of small eggplants.
Treatment against diseases and pests. According to reviews from vegetable growers, late blight, tobacco mosaic and root rot are dangerous for the “Nutcracker F1 f1” eggplant. Pests include aphids and whiteflies. The most effective way to fight is prevention. It consists of observing crop rotation and accurately fulfilling the requirements of agricultural technology, from the selection of seeds to harvesting.This includes the distance between bushes, formation, watering, lighting, treatment with drugs for the purpose of prevention.
If the disease cannot be avoided, then treatment is carried out no later than 20 days before harvest.
Reviews
You can learn more about the “Nutcracker F1” eggplant from the reviews of summer residents.
