How to grow cucumbers "Harmonist" and why they are good

Cucumber hybrid in the first generation Harmonist is suitable for planting in warm regions of the country and central Russia. In the northern regions, it gives an excellent harvest in greenhouses and hotbeds. Sweet taste without bitterness even in the tail, small seeds inside, high transportability - you will learn about these and other advantages of the Harmonist from our article.

Description of the cucumber hybrid

Hybrid Harmonist is self-pollinated, it does not need the help of bees and other insects. It is grown both in greenhouses and in the open field.... Early ripe vegetable: growing season - 40 days.

Medium height, not higher than 160 cm. Leaves are dark green, medium size. Up to four shoots are formed in one node.

Distinctive features

it parthenocarpic hybrid, that is, it has an exclusively female type of flowering. Among the external differences - the presence of white fluff and thorns throughout the fruit area. Inside there is a small amount of seeds unsuitable for planting.

Composition, properties, benefits, calories

The calorie content of a cucumber is 13.5 kcal per 100 g of product... 95% consists of water, which flushes the kidneys, participates in the elimination of harmful substances, heavy metal salts and toxins from the body.

Cucumber also contains:

• beta carotene;
• vitamins A;
• B vitamins (B1, B2);
• vitamin C;
• vitamin PP.

Contains minerals such as:

• zinc;
• copper;
• potassium;
• manganese;
• iron;
• iodine;
• chlorine;
• sodium;
• phosphorus;
• folic acid.

Cucumber is the leader among vegetables in fiber content... Its dietary fiber gently cleanses the intestines, without provoking inconvenience, improves peristalsis.

Regular consumption of fresh cucumbers in food has a positive effect on the state of the thyroid gland, prevents the formation of cholesterol plaques on the walls of blood vessels, and prevents cardiovascular diseases.

Specifications

The size of the bushes does not exceed 1.6 m, female flowers predominate, lateral branching is moderate. Leaves are medium-sized, dark-herbal shade. Up to four shoots are formed in one node.

The shape of the fruit is cylindrical, the characteristic weight is up to 110 g. The length of one cucumber reaches 10 cm, the diameter of the fruit is 5 cm. The peel is dark green, the presence of spots or light blurred stripes located on a quarter of the fruit is possible.

Taste qualities are high: pulp is soft, crispy, sweet, juicy. The number of seeds is small. Suitable for both fresh consumption and blanks. Perfectly retain their taste during canning and heat treatment.

The yield of this hybrid is quite high. On one square. m grows to 13 kg.

How to grow yourself

Cucumber Harmonist is suitable for growing in any region of the Russian Federation... The crop is obtained both in greenhouses and when planted in open ground. Productivity depends on proper planting and subsequent care.

Reference! In the northern and central regions, cucumbers are not planted in open ground with seeds. Frozen roots rot, resulting in complete or partial loss of yield. Therefore, it is better to transfer already strengthened seedlings to the ground.

Planting by seed and seedling method

Planting seeds for seedlings begins in late April and ends in mid-May.... They are germinated in peat containers, which are placed in the ground together with the seedlings.For seedlings, highly nutritious soil is used, which includes turf soil, humus and peat in a ratio of 1: 2: 2 with the addition of 0.5 part of coarse river sand.

For the purpose of disinfection, it is recommended to steam the soil for 45 minutes in a cloth bag or spill it with a solution of potassium permanganate at the rate of 3 g per 10 liters of water. Seedlings are transplanted into open ground after sufficient heating of the soil, and into closed greenhouses - after the appearance of three leaves.

Attention! Since the Harmonist is not a cucumber variety, but a hybrid, it will not work to collect the seeds on your own. The material will have to be bought - and preferably from a trusted manufacturer.

Directly sowing seeds in open ground is carried out according to the scheme 50:50 see in late May - early June. The optimum soil temperature for germination is at least + 25 ° C.

Growing in stages and care

Planting seeds step by step:

1. Filling the containers with soil two thirds, good water spillage. The water is defended for 2-3 days before planting and heated before watering.
2. In moist soil, grooves are made into which seeds are sown to a depth of no more than 2 cm, then they are sprinkled with earth. Glasses are wrapped in foil.
3. Germination conditions are similar to greenhouse conditions. The first shoots will appear in four days.
4. The film is removed, and the seedlings are placed for three days in temperature conditions not less than + 16 ° C and not more than + 18 ° C. Before disembarkation, daytime temperatures range from 21-23 ° C, night-time - 18-19 ° C.

Crop care includes obligatory regular watering, ensuring the rapid growth of seedlings. The picking of seedlings is also carried out when the first three leaves appear.

Transplanting seedlings into open ground is carried out on the 26th day after the appearance of the first shoots.

Read also:

Early ripe cucumber hybrid "Connie f1", disease resistant

Early ripe hybrid of cucumbers "Gunnar"

Universal variety of cucumbers "Real Colonel"

Phased planting of seedlings:

1. Soil preparation, which includes watering, loosening and fertilizing.
2. Up to 6 plants are planted in the holes on 1m².
3. The planting is covered with a frost protection film. It is removed when a stable temperature regime is established.

Important! Together with the seedlings, supports for cucumber lashes are immediately installed near each bush.

Caring for the plant at this stage is timely shading during the period of active sun in the first few days after disembarkation.

Features of cultivation and possible difficulties

The hybrid is picky about wateringcarried out as the soil dries. In hot areas planting watered twice a week or more, depending on the air temperature.

Spraying the leaves leads to burns, so water is brought under the root in the evening. In the morning, the soil should be loosened to prevent crust formation and improve air circulation.

Attention! Cucumbers are moisture-loving, but too abundant and frequent watering will lead to decay of the bushes.

Top dressing is done no more than five times per season... In the flowering phase, cucumbers require the introduction of chicken droppings. It is diluted with water 1:20. During active fruiting, liquid manure is applied in a ratio of 1:20.

To increase yields use complexes of mineral fertilizers, including double superphosphate (20 g) and ammonium nitrate (15 g). The powder is diluted in 10 liters of water and is also applied at the root. Before that, the earth is watered, and after that it is loosened.

Be sure to tie cucumbers to the trellis to ensure full air circulation and an even distribution of sunlight. The formation of growing bushes is required, which implies the removal of 3-4 leaf sinuses along with shoots and ovaries. The removal of stepchildren stops at a height of 60-80 cm, only the ovaries are left in this interval. Upon reaching a height of 1.5 m, the growth point is removed.

Diseases and pests

The hybrid is resistant to infectious diseases, but during the period of active fruiting, the plant organism is depleted and becomes vulnerable to fungal diseases. To strengthen cucumber bushes, use an infusion of bread crusts and onion peels.

The most dangerous disease for this hybrid is powdery mildew... As a preventive measure, the bushes are treated with ash infusion two to three times during the growing season. Resistant to diseases such as cladosporia, root rot and peronosporosis.

Harmonist can be harmed by insects such as whitefly, spider mite and rootworm nematode. The nematoda can be removed from the beds by planting legumes nearby.

Reference! Procedures such as disinfecting the soil in autumn, removing weeds, and freezing greenhouses in winter reduce the likelihood of a pest infestation.

Spider mite appears when crop rotation is not observed, excessive air humidity and overgrowing of beds with weeds.

Harvesting and application of the crop

Harvesting begins 40-45 days after germination... The vegetables are harvested regularly to prevent the fruits from overgrowing.

It is used in cooking both fresh and canned. The accordion player preserves and conveys taste well even when preserved.

Advantages and disadvantages

The main benefits of the Harmonista cucumber include:

• resistance to common infectious diseases;
• early maturity;
• long fruiting period;
• abundance of the harvest;
• high taste;
• lack of bitter taste;
• long-term storage and suitability for long-distance transport;
• undemanding in care.

Disadvantages of a hybrid:

• loves moisture, but roots rot from its excess;
• when grown in open ground, the fruits are often deformed;
• there is a risk of a decrease in the number of cucumber ovaries due to overgrowth;
• the inability to use the seeds of the fruit as planting material.

Reviews

Most gardeners love the taste and yield of the vegetable.... In addition, summer residents note that cucumbers easily tolerate an invasion of pests, which is not typical for all varieties of cucumbers.

Lyubov Ivanovna, Krasnodar Territory: “I heard about Harmonist cucumbers in the store (the woman asked the seller about the availability of seeds). I asked what kind of cucumbers they were, I had never heard of them. The woman replied, “We ate them all summer and stocked up for the whole winter. Plant! You will not regret!". After such an answer, I simply had to grow them in my garden. From the photo on the bag with seeds, they seemed ugly to me, and the name was a little embarrassing. But since she decided to plant it, it's time to act, especially since they were so praised. Acted according to the annotation on the pack of seeds. The result is excellent - and no illnesses for the whole summer ".

Victoria, Barnaul: “In April I planted the Harmonist hybrid on seedlings, after 25 days I transplanted the seedlings into open ground. Watered once a week, in extreme heat 2-3 times. I picked the fruits every day so that the plant does not waste energy on ripe vegetables. They tasted sweet and crunchy, with no bitterness even on the tail. The seeds in the fruits are small, so they are practically not felt. They really liked me and my whole family, so I was not disappointed in them, but on the contrary. She treated them to neighbors in the country and advised them to buy and plant them. I have already bought seeds for the next planting and I hope that they will continue to delight us with their abundance and taste ".

Conclusion

Harmonist cucumbers are an ideal choice for both beginners and experienced gardeners. This hybrid is resistant to most diseases. The main components of the future harvest are care and proper cultivation. Follow the minimum maintenance rules and harvest.