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No one will argue that cucumber is the most common vegetable crop, which is grown both in large enterprises and in small summer cottages. This vegetable is good for the body and contains vitamins and minerals. Cucumbers are well suited for fresh consumption, salads, and canning. They grow and mature quickly. Therefore, many gardeners prefer to grow cucumbers on their site.
The cucumber came to us from tropical countries, so it loves sunny weather and grows well in warm regions of the country. One of the worthy representatives of cucumbers is the “Competitor” variety. It was bred in 1980 in Crimea for cultivation in southern Russia. Over time, it took root in less warm regions.
So, let’s look at what makes the “Competitor” cucumber variety special. We will also learn how to grow it and care for it properly. Let's find out how to protect the cucumber harvest from pests and diseases.
Description of the cucumber variety “Competitor”
“Competitor” refers to early ripening varieties of cucumbers. From planting the seeds in the ground until the fruits begin to ripen, only 45–50 days pass. Sowing of seeds begins in the last days of May or the first weeks of June. There is no need to rush into planting, because cucumber is a heat-loving plant. The growth of the root system of cucumbers exceeds the growth of the above-ground part by 3 times.But after fifty days of growth, the roots and shoots are comparable in size. Then it is the above-ground part that grows more actively, and the root system grows to the required size and stops growing. The stem of cucumbers grows rapidly and forms tendrils that can easily cling to any support. "Competitor" cucumbers have heart-shaped leaves.
The cucumber begins to bloom a short time after germination. The reproductive organs are divided into male and female. Male organs are incapable of forming ovaries. The corolla is yellow in color. In the southern regions, flowers open very early, at about 4 o'clock in the morning, and in the northern regions - only from 6 o'clock. The pollen is only viable for a couple of hours after opening. Pollination of cucumbers is carried out by bees. After 12–13 days, the inflorescences will fall off and cucumbers will begin to form. With proper care and suitable weather conditions, the first cucumber fruits will ripen within 45 days after seed germination.
Cucumber variety "Competitor" has a fairly high yield. You can collect from 3 to 4 kilograms of fruit per 1 m2. These indicators depend on the duration of the fruiting period. Cucumbers can bear fruit for about ninety days. It all depends on weather conditions and sudden temperature changes. Because of such moments, the yield and timing of fruit formation decrease.
Fruit characteristics
Cucumbers belong to the pumpkin crops. This means they are false berries. Inside the fruit there are compartments with seeds (chambers). Cucumbers are cylindrical, oval. “Competitor” is dark green in color. The fruit is large, its surface is completely covered with tubercles with soft spines. A fully ripe cucumber can reach up to 13 centimeters in length.The weight of one fruit will be about 130 g. The fruit stem of the “Competitor” is long, so cucumbers are very convenient to pick.
Cucumbers of the “Competitor” variety have excellent taste. The fruits are not bitter when fresh, so they are great for summer salads. The pulp of cucumbers is juicy and has a sweetish taste. Suitable for canning on its own or in combination with other vegetables. The fruits are stored well in a cool place. Reviews about “Competitor” cucumbers are only positive. Gardeners are satisfied with the harvest and taste of this variety.
Planting and growing cucumbers "Competitor"
As always, planting begins with preparing the seeds. They need to be calibrated, or, in other words, to separate small and non-viable seeds. To do this, they are dipped into a salt solution. To prepare it you need to mix:
- 30 grams of salt;
- 1 liter of water.
Stir until the salt crystals are completely dissolved. Place the cucumber seeds in a container with the solution for ten minutes and wait until the seeds separate. Unusable seeds should float to the surface, which must be carefully collected with a spoon. Those seeds that remain at the bottom are excellent for planting in the ground. Now they need to be washed and disinfected. This is done using a weak solution of potassium permanganate or boric acid. The seeds are dipped into the solution and kept for about 24 hours.
The longer cucumber seeds last, the more flowers with female reproductive organs will appear on the plants. Up to 6 years of storage, cucumber seeds retain their properties perfectly and are suitable for cultivation.
In principle, the seeds are already ready for planting.If you are not going to additionally germinate the seeds, then after this stage you can dry them and start planting. But you can cultivate the seeds before planting, and then the germination of cucumbers will be one hundred percent, because you can plant only those seeds in the ground that will germinate. Calibration is considered an effective method of seed selection, but it cannot always determine the quality of seeds with the highest accuracy.
“Competitor” cucumbers can be grown both in open ground and in greenhouses. It all depends on the weather conditions of your region. For the middle zone, it is recommended to plant cucumber seeds under temporary film covers. Cucumbers germinate well at temperatures from +20 °C to 25 °C. Moderate soil moisture is also important for them. The soil should not be too wet or too dry. Under such conditions, the first shoots will appear within 4–5 days. There is no need to warm up the seedlings. Too high a temperature can reduce the growth rate of cucumbers, and prolonged heat will completely destroy the sprouts. Therefore, if the air temperature reaches more than +35 °C, then cucumbers should be shaded.
It is recommended to plant seeds at a distance of forty centimeters from each other, and forty centimeters between rows of cucumbers. It is best to grow cucumbers in beds where tomatoes, potatoes and onions previously grew.
Caring for cucumbers of the “Competitor” variety
The variety is unpretentious and also has high disease resistance. It is not affected by bacterial spot and powdery mildew. Thanks to this alone, a high harvest is guaranteed.
Although the plant can grow and bear fruit on the ground, it would be better to install special poles or construct other structures so that the cucumber branches can grow evenly without getting tangled with each other. Recently, vertical supports to which stems are tied have become very popular.
In short, “Competitor” cucumbers need the following care:
- Regular moistening of the soil.
- Removal from the garden weed.
- Fertilizing with mineral or organic fertilizers.
- Loosening the soil.
Insufficient moisture in the soil can greatly slow down plant growth and, as a result, reduce yield. And since cucumbers are not good at extracting moisture from the ground on their own, they should be watered regularly, especially in hot weather. Due to lack of liquid, cucumbers may develop a bitter, cucumber-like taste, especially near the stem. The same thing happens when the air temperature is too high.
Oxygen is also very important for the “Competitor” variety. For its full supply, it is necessary to loosen the top ball of soil from time to time so that a crust does not form. Regular manure is perfect for feeding cucumbers. This organic fertilizer helps the plant convert carbon dioxide into oxygen.
No more than 10–15 cucumbers can be placed on the stem; all the rest must be picked. So, the fruits will grow better. Make sure to pick cucumbers from the branches in time, otherwise they will turn yellow and the seeds will begin to ripen and become hard.
Pests and diseases
To prevent possible fungal and viral diseases, cucumbers are treated with special preparations that contain copper. For example, Bordeaux mixture or copper oxychloride.This procedure must be carried out as soon as up to 2-3 leaves appear on the cucumber sprouts. These drugs are also used for manifestations of cucumber diseases.
Conclusion
As we have seen, it is not for nothing that the “Competitor” variety is so popular among gardeners. It belongs to unpretentious and disease-resistant plants. Planting and caring for this variety of cucumbers will not be difficult even for inexperienced gardeners. You were able to see a photo of the “Competitor” cucumber and appreciate its appearance, for which this variety is valued. Cucumbers grow small and even. They are very convenient to use for preservation. And to appreciate the taste of the “Competitor” variety, you should try growing it in your garden.
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