A popular among summer residents hybrid of cucumbers "Khrustik" with juicy crunch and excellent taste

Cucumber hybrids have earned the love of gardeners due to their yield and resistance to the most dangerous diseases of the pumpkin family. They do not need careful care, ripen quickly and have an attractive presentation. Among the most popular hybrids is the Chrustic cucumber.

Description of cucumbers

Khrustyk f1 is a hybrid that was bred in the early 2000s by Moscow breeders. The crunch is suitable for growing in a greenhouse or outdoors under a film... In the open field, the result will be better, since this hybrid is characterized by the formation of many lashes.

Crunchy is generally thermophilic: it is preferable to grow it in the southern regions of the country. In colder climates, yields may drop and plants will become sick more often.

This is an early hybrid of cucumber, from the appearance of the first shoots to the beginning of fruiting, it takes about 44-48 days.

Important! The Khrustik hybrid is parthenocarpic. The fertilization process takes place without the participation of male pollen and bees.

Distinctive features

The culture has the following distinctive features:

1. The plant itself is powerful and develops quickly.
2. Does not suffer from such diseases typical of cucumbers as powdery mildew, cucumber mosaic or root rot.
3. Loves sunlight.
4. Friendly germination for a period of 7 days.

Composition, properties, benefits, calories

When used correctly and in moderation, cucumbers only bring health benefits.are sometimes used in the treatment of diseases. Most of the cucumber (95%) is structured, healthy water. In addition to it, the composition includes potassium (141 mg per 100 g), iodine, calcium (23 mg per 100 g), magnesium (14 mg per 100 g), vitamins of group B, necessary for the well-coordinated work of the heart, and a whole list of minerals:

• sodium;
• fluorine;
• molybdenum;
• aluminum;
• cobalt;
• zinc;
• copper;
• manganese;
• chlorine;
• chromium.

Substances found in cucumbers stimulate digestion and improve bowel motility. In addition, cucumbers, due to the large amount of fiber, contribute to the elimination of harmful substances and toxins from the body.

Because of their low calorie content, cucumbers are considered a diet food., and their use is encouraged if you need to lose weight. 100 g of cucumber contains only 14 kcal, so feel free to add this healthy vegetable to your diet.

Specifications

Branched bushes, not limited in growth. Fruit length can reach 10 cm and weight up to 110 g... The leaves of the cucumber are large, dark green in color. The fruits of Khrustyk have an oval-cylindrical shape, slightly pointed at the tips. The peel is thin, dark green in color. White stripes and bumps can be seen on the surface of the cucumbers.

The taste of cucumber is soft, has no bitterness... The fruits are fragrant and sweet. For its juicy crunch, the hybrid got its name. Any gardener will be pleased with the fact that up to 11 kg of harvest can be obtained from one bush.

Photo - cucumber Khrustyk f1.

How to grow yourself

Since the hybrid is quite thermophilic, its it is recommended to grow in warm and sunny regions of the country... Gardeners of the northern regions can also grow Khrustik, but they should choose the most protected from drafts and sunny places for planting and use film shelters.

Attention! Give preference to those places in the garden where the shade takes no more than 2 hours from daylight hours.

The bushes grow branchy, so you need to plant plants according to the 50x50 scheme... Closely planted bushes will not yield enough crops.

Planting by seed and seedling method

You can plant Khrustik both with seedlings and immediately into the ground... The seedling method accelerates the harvest by 1-2 weeks.

Direct way:

1. Planting begins in late spring, mid-May.
2. The soil must be prepared before planting seeds. It should be loose, moist, breathable. Aeration can be achieved with sawdust.
3. Direct sowing is only possible in well-warmed soil. Its temperature should not be lower than +12 ° C.
4. The seeds are dipped into prepared pits 2-3 centimeters deep. The landing pattern is 50x50.
5. Then the soil is covered with a film on top until the first shoots appear.

To accelerate the growth of plants, planting is used in seedlings.:

• Seedlings are planted in open ground at the end of May.
• 20-30 days before planting in open ground or greenhouse, seeds are sown in separate pots or a common container.
• The sprouts are then planted on the light side of the plot and kept at a comfortable temperature of about 25 ° C.

About other cucumber hybrids:

Hybrid "Merenga", resistant to diseases and weather conditions

Review of the hybrid of cucumbers "Satina"

Cucumber "Lutoyar F1", bringing a rich and early harvest

Growing and care

As soon as the first shoots appear, the film can be removed from the ground in the daytime. At night, the cucumbers are covered until the air temperature stabilizes.

Basic rules of care:

1. Plants need timely loosening and weed removal.
2. Watering should be regular. It is best to use water warmed in the sun.
3. Remove the lower leaves to reduce moisture.
4. Top dressing is applied strictly under the root of the cucumber, 2-3 times a month, in turn with mineral and organic fertilizers.
5. For better illumination, the plants in greenhouses are tied up and put into one stem.
6. The lighting is optimized with a mirror or foil opposite the seedlings.
7. Remember to humidify the air. Place a bucket of water near the plants or use a spray bottle.

Features of cultivation and possible difficulties

When growing, pay special attention to irrigation technique cucumber... The peculiarities of watering are that Khrustyk needs to be actively watered during the period of ovary formation and at the initial stage of fruiting. After that, the number of waterings is reduced.

Gardeners recommend using root dressing... To achieve ventilation of the rhizomes, the lower leaves of the plant are removed.

Typical diseases and pests, resistance

The hybrid is renowned for its resistance to popular cucumber diseases... He does not suffer from diseases such as cucumber mosaic or root rot. One of its few shortcomings is that it does not resist powdery mildew very well.

As for pests, Khrustik is not protected from them in any way.... Here are the most common pests:

1. Spider mite... Light yellow or white spots on the leaves, which subsequently occupy the entire leaf, causing it to dry, are considered a sign of a spider mite. It appears frequently on cucumbers. Another sign is a thin web intertwining foliage. In parallel with the weaving of the web, the tick pierces the leaf of the plant and drinks its juice. The insidiousness of the tick lies in the fact that due to its small size, about 1/2 mm, it is almost impossible to notice it with the naked eye.
2. Melon aphid... An adult aphid hibernates on weed leaves. In the spring and until the end of summer he lives there. Then, with the help of ants, the pest moves to the back of the plant leaf.

Harvesting and application of the crop

To ensure a rich harvest, in the first stage of fruiting, pluck ripe cucumbers as often as possible.

Due to its mild taste, Khrustyk cucumbers are consumed fresh, added to salads or okroshka.They are great for pickling and tomato fillings. Experts consider the hybrid to be the best for salting and preservation..

Advantages and disadvantages

Among the advantages of a hybrid, gardeners and breeders note the following:

• ripens early;
• does not lose its presentation for a long time;
• has excellent taste;
• high yield - with proper care from one bush - up to 11 kg of yield per sq. m;
• practically does not form barren flowers;
• resistant to viral diseases;
• resistant to sudden changes in temperature.

The hybrid has several disadvantages.:

• due to excessive light-lovingness, Khrustyk is difficult to tolerate the shade;
• sensitive to drying out of the soil;
• susceptible to attack by pests, easily affected by aphids and spider mites;
• since this is not a variety, but a hybrid, self-collection of seeds is excluded.

Reviews

Many gardeners plant Khrustyk and happily share their successes in growing it:

Evgeniya, Moscow: “I have been planting cucumber Khrustik for 3 years already. I like it very much both fresh and salted. It is always sweet and crunchy. I collect small fruits. Even if they outgrow, they remain crispy with small seeds. Bear fruit abundantly. The ovaries are arranged in bunches. Usually I collect every other day, this stimulates the growth of new ovaries. The seeds have 100% germination for all three years. This year, too, out of 10, all 10 have sprouted. I sow dry seeds. Part - for seedlings in pots at the end of April, part - in warm beds in early May. Cucumber Crisp is disease resistant. And even in unfavorable conditions, with a cold snap and sharp temperature changes, it gave a harvest ".

Olga, Bryansk: “With the arrival of the cold August nights, all the cucumbers in the open field got sick and gradually died. Khrustik was also sick, and he also caught a spider mite, but I removed the diseased leaves, and he grew new ones. So it bore fruit until early October. True, in the fall I already looked after him badly and did not feed him. The cucumber has excellent taste, there was no bitterness, the greens are small and did not outgrow. I was pleased with both the taste and its resistance to adverse conditions. Since the seeds are not harvested from the hybrid, I bought it again this year. ".

Conclusion

Due to its unpretentiousness in planting and care, the hybrid is deservedly considered one of the most beloved among gardeners. It grows well both in the greenhouse and in the open field. Its early ripeness is especially appreciated in regions with short and cold summers. The crisp will delight you with a rich and high-quality harvest.

The taste qualities of Khrustik also cannot be ignored - the cucumber is suitable for salads, okroshkas, pickles, and in jars it remains as crispy as fresh.