Aquarius cucumber: variety description, planting and care, photos, reviews

Content

1 Description of the cucumber variety Aquarius
2 Taste qualities of cucumbers
3 Pros and cons of the Aquarius cucumber variety
4 Optimal growing conditions
5 Growing cucumbers Aquarius
6 Productivity
7 Conclusion
8 Reviews of Aquarius cucumbers

The Aquarius cucumber is a non-hybrid variety bred by breeders of the All-Russian Research Institute of Seed Growing. In 1984, it was zoned in the Central Black Earth region; in 1989, the culture was included in the State Register. The variety is intended for cultivation in the Middle Volga and North Caucasus regions.

Description of the cucumber variety Aquarius

The Aquarius cucumber belongs to the determinant semi-standard type. It reaches a height of 1 m, then growth stops. The variety is early ripening, the fruits ripen in 45–52 days. The Aquarius cucumber forms 2–4 stems of the first order, 3 of which go to form a bush. Excess and subsequent ones are removed as the growing season progresses. The plant is not densely leafy, open type. The Aquarius cucumber belongs to a new generation of varieties created for cultivation in open ground; cultivation in a greenhouse is possible. Low crops for growing in a protected area are unprofitable.

The Aquarius cucumber variety does not belong to parthenocarpic hybrids, this is another reason why growing the crop in a greenhouse is difficult.The plant produces flowers of different sexes; pollinating insects are required for fruiting.

External description of Aquarius cucumbers shown in the photo:

The shoots of the first order are of medium thickness, intense pubescence, the pile is long and prickly. The structure of the shoots is rigid, not brittle, light green with a gray tint. The conformity is high.
The leaves are large, five-lobed, attached to long thin petioles. The leaf blade is rough, slightly corrugated, with hard veins. The edges are finely toothed.
The root system of the Aquarius cucumber is fibrous, not deep, growing to the sides. The root circle is small - within 25 cm.
The variety blooms with single, heterosexual, simple flowers of bright yellow color. Like all pollinated crops, it has 15% barren flowers. All female flowers produce ovaries.

Important! The Aquarius cucumber was created by cross-pollination of varieties, and not in the laboratory, and therefore does not contain GMOs.

A varietal feature of cucumber is the uneven ripening of greens. The fruits of the first harvest are larger, the latter have less weight. The fruiting period is long, the first harvest is carried out in July, the growing season ends at the end of August. When fruits reach biological ripeness, they do not increase in size, do not turn yellow, and there is no acid in the taste. Changes affect the peel, it becomes tougher.

Description of the Aquarius cucumber fruit:

oval-oblong shape;
length – 14 cm, diameter – 4.5 cm, weight – 110 g;
the surface is light green at the base, towards the top a yellowish spot is formed with longitudinal light lines up to the middle of the fruit;
tuberosity is sparse, the main location is on the lower part, the irregularities are round and finely pubescent;
the peel is glossy, without a waxy coating, thin, durable;
The pulp is white, juicy, without voids, large seeds in small quantities.

The variety is grown mainly in summer cottages or garden plots and is rarely used for commercial purposes.

Taste qualities of cucumbers

According to the varietal description and reviews from vegetable growers, the Aquarius cucumber is juicy, aromatic and sweet. Bitterness does not appear when there is a lack of moisture, and there is no acid after overripening. The fruits are of standard size and are suitable for canning in their entirety. The peel tolerates heat processing well. No voids appear in the pulp; the surface becomes slightly lighter after the hot marinade. After cold pickling, the cucumbers are elastic, dense, and crispy. Cucumbers are consumed fresh and used as a component in assorted vegetables.

Pros and cons of the Aquarius cucumber variety

The Aquarius variety is a relatively young crop, but quite popular among vegetable growers in the Central region of Russia. This is one of the few representatives of the species that does not stop growing at a temperature of +12 ⁰C. Along with frost resistance, cucumbers of this variety have many advantages:

resistance to infections and pests;
early ripening and long fruit harvesting period;
high gastronomic assessment;
universal purpose;
good yield for a medium-sized bush;
suitable for pickling in its entirety;
unpretentious in care.

Attention! The Aquarius cucumber variety produces valuable planting material and is propagated by seeds from the parent bush.

The disadvantage of this variety is the presence of barren flowers and increased demands on watering.

Optimal growing conditions

The Aquarius cucumber variety is a light-loving plant that feels comfortable in a periodically shaded area. Place the crop on the south or east side, taking into account that cucumber does not react well to the north wind. The soil composition is chosen to be neutral, fertile with good drainage. The Aquarius cucumber requires frequent watering, but at the same time does not respond well to stagnant moisture.

The site is prepared 3 weeks before planting:

Digging up the garden bed.
If the soil is acidic, add lime or other alkaline agents.
Remove weeds and roots.
Add superphosphate, compost and saltpeter.

Attention! Cucumbers are not placed in one bed for more than 3 years in a row; crop rotation is observed.

Growing cucumbers Aquarius

According to the characteristics and description of the variety, the Aquarius cucumber is cultivated using the seedling method and planting seeds directly on the garden bed. Pre-grown seedlings shorten the growing season before fruiting. When growing seedlings, harvesting begins 2 weeks earlier. The generative method of propagation (planting seeds in the ground) is suitable for regions with a milder climate.

Direct planting in open ground

Before starting work, the Aquarius cucumber planting material is wrapped in damp canvas and placed in the refrigerator for a day. Then disinfection is carried out in a manganese solution. Place on the site when the soil has warmed up to +12⁰ C. If there is a threat of frost after the shoots appear, cover the cucumbers. For central Russia, the approximate landing time is the second half of May.

Sequencing:

Make holes to a depth of 2.5 cm.
Place three seeds and cover with soil.
After the formation of the third leaf, the cucumbers are thinned out, 1 seedling should remain.

Advice! The interval between holes is 45 cm, per 1 m² plant 4-5 plants.

Growing by seedlings

The culture does not tolerate transplantation from one place to another. When growing seedlings, Aquarius cucumbers do not dive, but are immediately planted in a permanent place. Experienced vegetable growers recommend planting them in small peat containers and placing the seedling in the hole along with the container. Sowing of the material is carried out approximately in mid-April; after 25–30 days, the cucumbers are ready for planting in the ground.

Planting seeds of the Aquarius variety:

Prepare a nutritious soil mixture from equal parts of sand, peat and compost.
They are poured into containers, the planting material is deepened by 1.5 cm, and watered.
Place containers with cucumbers in a room with a constant temperature (20–22⁰ C) and good air circulation.
Lighting must be at least 15 hours a day; additionally, special lamps must be installed.

Seeds and young shoots of cucumbers are watered with a small amount of water every evening, and complex fertilizers are applied before planting.

Watering and fertilizing

The irrigation regime depends on seasonal precipitation; the main task is to prevent the soil from becoming waterlogged and drying out. Moisten cucumbers in the evening or in the morning so as not to cause burns on the leaves.

Feeding the Aquarius cucumber is necessary for normal development and fruiting:

After the formation of first-order shoots, urea is added.
After 21 days, fertilize with potassium, phosphorus, and superphosphate.
After 2 weeks, organic matter is given.
During fruiting, cucumbers are fed with nitrogen-containing fertilizers.

After 10 days and until the end of fruiting, mineral fertilizers are applied at intervals of one week.

Formation

A bush of the Aquarius variety is formed with the first shoots; usually 3 stems are left so that the cucumber is not overloaded. You can leave 2 or 4 stems. When the stepsons grow to 4 cm, they are removed. The lower leaves and shading fruits are removed from the bush. Throughout the growing season, the shoots are tied to a support. There is no need to break the top; the variety does not grow higher than 1 m.

Protection from diseases and pests

Aquarius resists almost all infections well. Anthracnose infection is possible. For preventive purposes, observe crop rotation, harvest weeds, in the spring, treat cucumber bushes with Trichodermin or copper sulfate. At the first signs of illness, colloidal sulfur is used. Only the caterpillar of the Whitefly moth parasitizes the Aquarius cucumber. The pest is destroyed with the “Commander” insecticide.

Productivity

The shade-tolerant, frost-resistant cucumber variety Aquarius begins to bear fruit in mid-July. Plant photosynthesis does not depend on the degree of illumination and temperature conditions; the yield is not affected by a sharp drop in temperature or heat. The only condition is constant watering. The Aquarius cucumber bush is of medium height and produces about 3 kg of fruit during fruiting. At 1 m² 4–6 units are planted, the yield is 8–12 kg.

Conclusion

The Aquarius cucumber is a determinate, early-ripening, semi-standard variety. The frost-resistant plant is cultivated in temperate climates by planting in open ground. Fruits with good gastronomic characteristics, universal in use, suitable for whole preservation in glass jars. Productivity is high, the level of fruiting does not depend on weather conditions.

Reviews of Aquarius cucumbers

Natalya Miroshnichenko, 50 years old, Penza

Aquarius purchased cucumber seeds as an experiment. I planted it directly into the garden bed in mid-May, when the weather had completely cleared up. The cucumbers sprouted together. For the first 2 weeks I covered it with foil at night. The bush was formed by 4 shoots. The plant is compact, produces few stepsons, and requires minimal care. At the end of July I harvested my first harvest. The greens are juicy, crispy, sweet with a pronounced aroma, ideal for pickling.

Sergey Ryazantsev, 60 years old, Vologda

I have been growing the Aquarius cucumber variety for 2 years in an unprotected garden bed. I first grew seedlings from self-collected seeds and brought them out to the site at the end of May. The cucumbers took root well, without any losses, and immediately began to grow. The bushes are not tall, but the installation of a trellis is necessary, there are a lot of ovaries, the stems lie on the ground without support. The variety turned out to be the best for pickling. The fruits are crispy, juicy, and there is no empty space inside.