- Authors: Kachainik V.G., Gulkin M.N., Karmanova O.A., Matyunina S.V.
- Year of approval: 2015
- Growth type: indeterminate
- Branching: the average
- Fruit weight, g: 90-100
- Fruit length, cm: 12-16
- Fruit color: dark green
- Ripening terms: early
- Fruit shape: cylindrical
- Fruit taste: excellent, no bitterness
Crocodile Gena is a cucumber hybrid that is popular in many regions of Russia. It is unpretentious, productive, well protected against most typical greenhouse plant diseases. The resulting fruits are suitable for canning and preparing salads; they are actively formed without additional pollination.
Breeding history
The hybrid was entered into the State Register of the Russian Federation as approved for use in 2015. A group of specialists from Agrofirma Aelita LLC worked on its selection.
Description of the variety
Parthenocarpic hybrid, suitable for growing under a temporary film cover and in the open field. The plant is indeterminate, with unlimited growth intensity. Refers to hybrids with a female type of flowering, 2-3 ovaries are formed at the node. The root system is superficial, well developed.
Characteristics of the appearance of plants and zelents
Crocodile Gena is characterized by an average degree of branching. Bushes vigorous, with elongated thick stems. Forms side lashes abundantly. The leaves are not very large, green, fleecy. The color is dark green, with white pubescence.
Fruits are medium, 12-16 cm long and weighing 90-100 g. The shape is cylindrical, the skin is strong, but thin, with a glossy sheen, bumpy. The pulp is strong and juicy, the seed chambers are small on the cut. Zelentsov's neck is short.
Purpose and taste of fruits
Cucumbers Crocodile Gena are versatile in use, suitable for fresh consumption, pickling and pickling. The flesh is crispy with excellent taste. There is no bitterness in the fruits, the sweetness is pronounced.
Maturation
Early hybrid. From the emergence of seedlings to the formation of zelents, 37-43 days pass. Fruiting is extended.
Yield
Crocodile Gena is one of the high-yielding hybrids with harvest rates on average from 12.8 to 13.2 kg / m2.
Growing regions
The hybrid is successfully cultivated throughout Russia, from the Far East to the North. In the North Caucasus, in the Central Black Earth Region, it is more often planted without shelter, with sowing directly into the ground.
Landing scheme
Plants are recommended to be placed at a distance of 50 × 70 cm.
Growing and care
Planting a hybrid is possible in the sun and partial shade. Sowing for seedlings is carried out in April-May. When growing, cucumbers require fertilizing with mineral fertilizers, timely abundant watering in the evening using warm, settled water. The frequency of humidification is 2-3 times a week, in hot periods it increases.
The formation of a cucumber bush is carried out in 1 stem, with regular shortening of lateral shoots at the level of 2-3 leaves. And also the plant needs weekly loosening of the soil, removal of weeds.
Soil requirements
Loamy breathable soils are suitable for growing Crocodile Gena cucumbers.
In order to collect strong, tasty and beautiful cucumbers on your site, you need to make top dressing. Lack of nutrients can negatively affect the appearance of the plant and significantly reduce the yield.Fertilize cucumbers with organic fertilizers in combination with mineral fertilizers. With the right balance of these components and adherence to the fertilizing schedule, the cucumber yield will be maximum.
Required climatic conditions
The hybrid is cold-resistant, tolerates heat well, long periods with cloudy weather.
Disease and pest resistance
The hybrid is genetically immune to root rot. Differs in high resistance to pathogens of true and downy mildew.
Despite their popularity, cucumbers are often attacked by diseases and pests. From them, cucumber plantings often die before the start of fruiting. In order to prevent this from happening, it is necessary to try to prevent ailments or get rid of them at the very beginning, having studied in detail their causes of occurrence, signs and methods of treatment.
Review overview
According to summer residents, the Crocodile Gena hybrid deserves the most rave reviews. Its main advantage is considered to be abundant fruiting, directly related to the formation of ovaries in bunches, and not single greens. And also the plants do not require pollination, therefore they are freely grown in closed greenhouses, where bees and other insects do not get. Among other advantages, the taste of the fruit is noted - very pleasant, refreshing, the seeds are medium-sized inside, the skin does not spoil the impression when eating whole cucumbers.
The appearance is also liked by amateur vegetable growers. Cucumbers are smooth, neat, without strong tubercles, they look beautiful when pickled in a jar, they are well stored. Summer residents also like the fact that Gena Crocodile begins to bear fruit early, this is one of the few hybrids that have shown themselves well in regions with a short summer period. In the open field, harvesting continues until the very cold. It is indicated that the number of fruits in a greenhouse is always higher than when plants are planted without shelter.
The disadvantage of the hybrid is the impossibility of obtaining a re-harvest from the harvested seeds. And also not everyone is happy with the tallness of the bush, he definitely needs a garter as the central stem gains height. You also have to stepchild cucumbers regularly, which adds to the work in the country. Without frequent fertilizing, the taste of the fruit, the yield indicators deteriorate.