The Masha F1 cucumber variety has received high reviews from experienced gardeners and gardeners for a reason. And this is understandable, since this variety has all the qualities of an ideal variety: it ripens quickly, does not get sick and has an amazing taste. This early hybrid variety of self-pollinating gherkins undoubtedly deserves attention, because it is the one most often grown for sale.
Characteristics of the variety
The hybrid variety of cucumbers Masha has determinate bushes of medium climbing. Their medium-sized leaves are slightly wrinkled. Predominantly female flowering avoids the formation of barren flowers. This has a positive effect on productivity. In this regard, cucumber Masha is one of the record holders. Up to 7 ovaries can form in its nodes, and the yield of one square meter will be more than 10 kg of cucumbers. In this case, not even a month and a half will pass before the gardener can harvest the first harvest from plants of this hybrid variety. The last harvest of cucumbers can be harvested in early October.
Masha cucumbers are shaped like a cylinder. They have brightly marked tubercles with light white fluff. On the dark green peel you can see light stripes and slight spotting. This hybrid variety of cucumbers would not be grown for sale if it did not have excellent commercial characteristics.Each cucumber Masha will weigh no more than 100 g and have a length of up to 11 cm. Their average diameter will be 3.5 cm. The pulp of fresh cucumbers is crispy and juicy. This makes this hybrid variety ideal for canning and pickling.
The distinctive features of this hybrid variety are not only the early formation of cucumbers and productivity, but also the resistance of the plant itself to diseases such as:
- powdery mildew;
- cucumber mosaic virus.
Recommendations for cultivation
This hybrid variety of cucumbers is perfect for growing both in a greenhouse and in the garden. To get a large harvest, you need to pay close attention to the composition of the soil. It should be fertile and light. The acidity level should not be high. A neutral level would be ideal. To increase soil fertility, it is recommended to fertilize the cucumber bed in the fall with any available organic matter.
If cucumbers of the Masha F1 variety are grown in a greenhouse, it is recommended to disinfect the soil before planting. The following drugs are suitable for this:
- bleaching powder;
- copper sulfate;
- fungicide TMTD;
- phytosporin;
- trichodermin;
- and others.
You should not grow cucumbers of the Masha variety where representatives of the pumpkin family grew before them. This will significantly reduce their productivity.
Cucumber Masha can be grown in two ways:
- Through seedlings, which begin to be prepared in April. In this case, it is better to plant each cucumber seed in a separate container. The optimal temperature for growing seedlings will be 25 degrees. But it must be reduced to 20 degrees a week before landing in a new place. If this is not done, cucumber seedlings may die from too sudden a change in temperature. Ready seedlings are planted in a greenhouse or garden bed in May, only after they have 4 true leaves.
- Planting seeds at the end of May. At the same time, cucumber seeds of the Masha F1 variety should not be buried more than 3 cm into the soil. After planting, it is recommended to cover the seeds with film.
Both seeds and seedlings of Masha cucumbers should be planted according to a 50x30 cm pattern, that is, no more than 4 plants per square meter.
Subsequent care for the plants of this hybrid is quite simple:
- Watering - the yield directly depends on its regularity. Typically, you should water cucumbers no more than twice a week. But when dry weather sets in, watering should be done every day.
- Weeding – given the shallow root system of these plants, weeding should be done very carefully.
- Hilling up - no more than twice a season.
- Fertilization - it must be carried out throughout the season. The first time, you need to fertilize young plants with the first two leaves. The second time and subsequent times - every two weeks. A mixture of a liter of manure and 10 liters of water shows good results. When adding ash to this mixture, the cucumbers will begin to actively grow.
In addition, to stimulate the formation of side shoots of this hybrid variety, it is recommended to pinch the shoots above the fifth leaf. You also need to ensure that the number of cucumbers on a branch is not more than 15. If there are any extra ones, they must be removed without sparing.
If cucumbers are grown in a greenhouse or greenhouse, then ventilation must be done.
