- Authors: Mashtakov A.A.
- Year of approval: 1979
- Branching: the average
- Fruit weight, g: 80-100
- Fruit length, cm: 9-10
- Fruit color: green with light stripes
- Ripening terms: early
- Pollination: bee-pollinated
- Fruit shape: cylindrical, slightly elongated towards the base, fruits are aligned in shape
- Fruit taste: excellent, no bitterness
Cucumber Rodnichok is a famous hybrid, the work on which was carried out in Soviet times on the territory of modern Moldova. But over several decades, none of the cucumber varieties developed by outstanding breeders have become more in demand and popular. Its cultivation is successfully carried out in the Russian regions in open ground, hotbeds and greenhouses.
Breeding history
The originator of the variety is the Transnistrian Research Institute of Agriculture, located in Tiraspol. The culture was developed by A. Mashkov, a breeder who devoted several years to obtain a unique hybrid with valuable properties. His work was appreciated at its true worth: Rodnichok entered the state register of breeding achievements, but this is not the main thing. The seed material of the hybrid is not cheap, but for several decades it has been bought not only for commercial cultivation, but also for their own needs.
It is included in the State Registers of Russia and Belarus. The variety is versatile in use, unique in taste and hardiness, even when compared to the latest varieties grown using innovative technologies. In the entire post-Soviet space, this is one of the most famous and demanded varieties, and its name serves as an excellent recommendation even for those who are just starting their agricultural activities.
Description of the variety
The unique properties of a hybrid are a list of advantages that are invariably listed, describing the features:
- yields that exceed those of many known varieties of cucumbers;
- great taste of fruits with an unlimited area of application: from eating fresh to preservation as part of gourmet assorted foods;
- presentable appearance, long-lasting marketability, the ability to carry transportation over great distances;
- immunity to high air temperature, storage time in appropriate conditions;
- resistance to known diseases and ease of care.
The only drawback of the variety, according to gardeners, is its hybridity. This means that seed material cannot be obtained at home: it has to be purchased annually from agricultural firms. The technology for obtaining seeds is somewhat more complicated than that of hybrids, which are less in demand among the consumer, so buying seeds is not a cheap pleasure. However, those who are engaged in commercial cultivation know very well that every penny invested will return a hundredfold. In a greenhouse on a trellis, you can get up to a quarter of a centner from each square meter.
Characteristics of the appearance of the plant and zelents
Varietal hybrid Rodnichok can be easily distinguished from other plants of this popular species by their external features:
- the main lash is long, but the vegetative mass is not abundant, and side shoots are formed in a maximum of 5 pieces;
- the flowers of the plant are predominantly female, pollinated by bees, but barren flowers are practically absent, therefore, an indeterminate plant has a high yield;
- long lashes with shoots make it possible to use them as productively as possible when located on supporting structures and trellises (spreading is an equally effective method, but it creates certain difficulties for the owners in harvesting and less ventilation of numerous fruits).
In greenhouse conditions, a lash is formed by pinching the side branches, but not all gardeners do this. Reviews about Zelentsy are invariably excellent. They grow short (no more than a decimeter), a beautiful green shade, calibrated in weight up to 0.1 kg, regular cylindrical shape. They can be unmistakably distinguished by their rare dark spines on a smooth surface with small tubercles. At the stage of ripeness, the variety is also determined by light stripes that do not reach the tail, which are located symmetrically and give the fruits an additional decorative effect.
Purpose and taste of fruits
Cutting through each greenery, you can find a dense pulp filled with juice, in which there are no voids or flaws. The crunchy cucumber exudes a delicious aroma, has a persistent aftertaste, is sweet and does not acquire a bitter aftertaste even when overripe.
It is appreciated for its versatility. The fontanelle with the same success can be:
- eat fresh, cut into monosalads and into prefabricated dishes with other vegetables;
- pickle and salt;
- put in assorted vegetables and gourmet canned food for the winter.
Some sources say about the tendency of buyers to purchase it for eating fresh: the fruits are not sold at the most affordable price, and the content of useful components, vitamins and minerals in them is higher than in other varieties. Some shoppers eat fresh cucumbers for the prevention and treatment of chronic diseases.
Maturation
The main advantage of Zelentsy as a product intended for sale is its even, small size. The cucumbers on the counter are an attractive sight for any customer. The advantage in commercial cultivation is considered to be undulating ripening: fresh fruits can be constantly supplied. The variety is early, bears fruit in 40-48 days after the first leaves appear. Zelentsy can be on the whip for quite a long time, without overripe and without acquiring bitterness.
Yield
The variety is still in the lead in the yield rating, because it gives about 5 kg per plant in the open field, and from 15 and more in greenhouses and greenhouses. The same size of zelents is an indisputable advantage, which is in second place after performance. It also became the reason that Rodnichok is still considered the best variety for commercial profit.
Growing and care
Like any hybrid variety, the Rodnichok cucumber is very picky about watering (it must certainly be regular), responsive to the introduction of fertilizers into the soil. Seeds from the originator are produced in 2 types: simple and coated (colored). The latter are a little more expensive, but they save the gardener from preparatory manipulations: disinfection, soaking and other things.
High immunity eliminates some common diseases, but when grown outdoors, the soil for sowing should be prepared in the fall. Covering crops with agrofibre or film, they can be protected from recurrent frosts, and at the same time, germination can be accelerated. From fertilizers, the plant will need phosphorus, potassium and nitrogen.
The use of the seedling method will accelerate germination and facilitate adaptation to specific climatic conditions. However, most summer residents are sure that the seedling method in this case makes the costs of growing even more significant: acquiring fertile soil, maintaining temperature and lighting, especially in a greenhouse, is not the cheapest pleasure.
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.
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.