Cucumber Competitor

Cucumber Competitor is an early maturing and high-yielding variety, the distinctive features of which have fully justified the eloquent name for several decades. Stable immunity, pollination by bees, the ability to independently collect seed - these are the features for which this variety is chosen by gardeners who do not trust hybrids, especially of foreign origin. The rapid growth of the stem requires the owner of the site to erect supporting structures on which a powerful cucumber bush can settle.

Cucumber Competitor is a worthy example of domestic selection, the advantages of which have made it in demand and popular for almost 40 years. The Competitor's authors are scientists of the experimental breeding station located in Krymsk, Krasnodar Territory. Their task was to develop a variety suitable for cultivation in the vast southern regions of the Soviet Union. It turned out that it can be grown without problems not only in warm regions, but also in areas with much more severe climatic conditions.

Immediately after state tests, it was entered into the State Register of Breeding Achievements and deservedly remains relevant for several decades. The ubiquity, the possibility of growing in greenhouses, a greenhouse and in the open field, a long stalk that facilitates the collection of abundant single fruits - all these are undeniable bonuses of the variety, which explain the popularity of the result of the work of breeders from Krymsk.

It lists the positive features and a few disadvantages. Cucumber Competitor has undeniable prerogatives for summer residents who grow popular fruits for their own needs. Commercial breeding is also justified, the variety is early, sprouts quickly, and a natural product can be sold already at the beginning of June. Advantages:

• yield - up to 6 kg from one bed;

• taste and aroma - excellent, perfectly complements salads, is a source of vitamins and minerals;

• fast germination of seeds;

• excellent immunity to bacteriosis, powdery mildew and some other common diseases;

• easy care - choosing a place and proper seed preparation will be the key to high performance;

• under the right conditions it is stored for a long time, without losing either color or taste.

There are few shortcomings, and before the appearance of hybrid varieties, they were simply considered a feature of agricultural technology: the rapid growth of the bush and its branching (not suitable for growing in small beds). Overripe fruits may have a tough skin and large seeds, a bitter taste, so the harvest must be collected in a timely manner. Bee-pollinated cucumbers are planted mainly on open ground, so as not to engage in artificial pollination in the greenhouse.

An uncontrolled bush grows more than two meters in height, puts out strong and persistent antennae, with which it clings to any supporting structure. There are few large leaves, yellow decorative flowers appear rather quickly after germination of seedlings, there are flowers of male and female types. They open early in the morning to attract insects for pollination. Flowering lasts 4-12 days, then green plants begin to be tied in place of female flowers.

Cucumbers of this variety are distinguished by a bumpy surface; soft small thorns and tubercles are located on a strong dark green skin. The ovaries have a tendency to budding, but not bouquet, but weakly expressed. The length of the cucumber, depending on the time of harvest, is 10-14 cm, the weight varies from 65 to 95 g. The fruit grows on a long (6-7 cm) stalk, which facilitates the harvesting season.

They are consistently met with accolades from people who prefer the spicy aroma of a real plant grown in natural conditions. A competitor picking cucumber on time has a pronounced sweet taste, without a hint of viscosity, sweet pulp filled with juice, soft, almost invisible seeds, regular cylindrical shape and dark green skin.

Housewives prefer to use this particular variety for different purposes.

1. Cooking lightly salted cucumbers, barrel pickling.

2. In canning, it can be marinated in monovariant, added to the assortment with other vegetables.

3. Fresh salads take on a rich finish and the healthy aroma of a freshly plucked vegetable.

Taste qualities, transportability, the ability to maintain a marketable appearance and smell for a long time make the variety indispensable for making a profit from a land plot.

Spring planting in the ground is carried out using a seedling and non-seedling method, the ripening time may not radically shift due to the peculiarities of the climate - insufficient heating of the soil and air. Harvesting time depends on planting seeds or seedlings in natural growing conditions. Germination begins on the 5-6th day. Spring planting will give green plants for 40-45 days, planted later, at the height of summer, the bushes bear fruit in a little over a month. In warm climates, bushes can bear fruit throughout the warm season (up to 90 days).

In scientific sources, the average figures are indicated - 7.8 kg of fruits per 1 square meter. However, there are many ways, known to experienced gardeners, with which these indicators can be significantly improved: watering, supports, a ventilated and well-lit area, fertilizing, removing mustaches and excess leaves. Much depends on the climatic conditions and the summer of a particular year - a hot one leads to more abundant fruiting, a cold one reduces the likelihood of a generous return.

Cucumber Competitor is not a hybrid variety. Seed material can be collected on your own, leaving the largest overripe fruits for this. This means that they need to be prepared for planting: soak in salted water, and select those that have fallen to the bottom, disinfect in a weak solution of potassium permanganate, harden in the cold, treat with nutrient mixtures and germinate for three days in a damp cloth at room temperature.

The seedling method is a great way to speed up maturation in temperate climates. When the soil warms up to the desired temperature, ready-made plants are planted in it, which grew in greenhouse conditions for about a month. Urgent planting in open ground can be carried out with seeds, but after that it is better to close the plantings with black film for 4-5 days.

The gardener will not have any particular problems: 9 seeds out of 10 sprout, even collected at home. Seedlings take root well, the fruits ripen for a long time, the harvest is plentiful, the Competitor is undemanding to care. Therefore, it bears this name, successfully withstanding the competition with the latest hybrids.