The Zhuravlenok cucumber was created by breeders at the Crimean Agricultural Experimental Station. In the 90s, an epidemic of downy mildew destroyed the cucumber crop on all farms in the south of the Soviet Union. A new disease-resistant variety was created, called Phoenix. Further work of breeders developed based on the use of the properties of the Phoenix variety. New varieties were developed using Phoenix genetic material.
These include the hybrid cucumber variety Zhuravlenok F1. Hybrid means that the seeds are obtained from crossing 2 varieties and received the best qualities from the parents. As a rule, hybrids are more viable; even in lean years you can get good results from them. The peculiarity of hybrids is that they cannot produce plant seeds with the same qualities. What will grow from seeds from hybrids will not be similar to the parent plants, some will be sterile, that is, they will not bear fruit at all.
Description
The Zhuravlenok variety is mid-early, the period of time between the emergence of seedlings and the collection of the first fruits is about 45 days. The plant is climbing, forms several side shoots, up to 2 m high, and requires support. The Zhuravlenok variety is pollinated by bees. The ovaries are formed in bunches. The variety successfully resists the tobacco mosaic virus and powdery mildew, and is suitable for growing in unprotected soil. The photo shows a representative of the Zhuravlenok variety.
The fruits of the Zhuravlenok hybrid are oval-cylindrical, bright green in color with blurred light stripes. The surface is matte, pimply, with black dots. The pulp is particularly dense and crunchy, has excellent taste, without bitterness. The skin of the fruit is thin. The fruits reach a length of up to 12 cm, and their weight is 110 g. Universal use: salads, canning, pickling. Productivity is high: from 1 sq. m. you can collect 10 kg of cucumbers.
Growing
The implementation of simple agricultural practices helps to obtain good harvest results.
- Plant cucumber seeds in unprotected soil in the last days of May - the first ten days of June. At this time, warm, stable weather sets in, and frosts no longer occur;
- Prepare covering material and arches, as young plants need additional protection from low night temperatures;
- Dig up the soil before planting and add compost. Make holes or furrows, water well, and place the seeds in them. The seed sowing depth is 3-4 cm. The planting pattern for the Zhuravlenok variety is 50x30 cm;
- Regular care includes watering, loosening, removing weed, fertilizing. Cucumbers love light soil. But such soils, as a rule, are poor in composition. Therefore, do not neglect feeding.
- During the season, 5-6 fertilizing is carried out, alternating the application of organic fertilizers (slurry or bird droppings) with mineral fertilizing. Use organic matter in diluted form, 1 part infusion of manure or slurry to 10 parts water. For mineral fertilizing, take a regular (10 liter) bucket of water: urea - 15 g, superphosphate - 50 g, potassium sulfate - 15 g. You can use ready-made complex fertilizers. Follow the manufacturer's instructions;
- Harvesting of the Zhuravlenok variety begins in July.
For an unusual way of growing cucumbers, watch the video:
Conclusion
The hybrid variety Zhuravlenok is suitable for growing in the Russian middle zone. Resistant to diseases, produces a stable and rich harvest. If you are not familiar with this variety, then we advise you to definitely grow it on your own plot in order to get a harvest of a tasty vegetable as early as possible without the cost of an expensive greenhouse.
