How to grow cucumbers "Courage" on your site and why they are good
No vegetable garden is complete without a patch of crispy and prickly cucumbers. Many gardeners prefer to grow hybrids, since the latter are characterized by increased resistance to disease and unpretentious care. The Courage hybrid is no exception; from year to year it shows stable and high yields. The taste and appetizing appearance were appreciated by all housewives and chefs. Consider the description of the Courage variety in detail.
The content of the article
Description of cucumbers
Courage is a hybrid showing high yields in all climates.... In cold regions, the vegetable is planted in greenhouses or hotbeds, in regions with a temperate and warm climate, it bears fruit well in open ground.
Distinctive features
The vegetable has a developed root system and strong stems. The leaves are large, with a classic green color. The crop ripens in 40-45 days from the moment of planting. Summer residents prefer to grow cucumbers in seedlings, which has a positive effect on the amount of harvested vegetables.
Properties, benefits, calorie content
90% of the vegetable consists of water, which removes toxins from the body and cleanses the kidneys. The product contains vitamins of group B, A and C, fiber, magnesium, iron, phosphorus, calcium.
Regular consumption of the vegetable cleanses the intestines, has a beneficial effect on the condition of the thyroid gland. Fresh cucumbers prevent the occurrence of cholesterol plaques and prevent cardiovascular diseases.
Vegetables are indispensable for those who follow the figure, because 100 g of cucumber contains only 15 kcal.
Important! In the presence of chronic intestinal diseases with cucumbers, you need to be careful. It is recommended to consume them in moderation. It is better to peel the cucumbers before use.
Specifications
The bushes of the hybrid are branched, there are many leaves. In the process of ripening, the bushes are formed in order to get as much yield as possible. The fruits themselves are medium in size, oval and elongated. Vegetable weight 120-140 g, surface - with small thorns.
The pulp is light green, juicy, few seeds. The taste of the hybrid is juicy and fresh. On one bush, 25-30 cucumbers grow at the same time.
How to grow a hybrid yourself
Gardeners grow Courage in two ways: seedlings and seeds. Let's consider each of them and identify the distinctive features of crop care.
Seed planting in open ground
This method is suitable for gardeners from warm regions with hot summers and fertile soil. Heavy seeds are selected for planting.
It is better to purchase material from trusted manufacturers with a good reputation. In the fall, the beds are prepared in advance.
Suitable precursors for gherkins are legumes, onions, or cabbage. They dig up the earth by 10-15 cm, clean it of debris and weeds. Peat or humus is introduced into the soil.
In April, the soil is dug up again, ash or sawdust is added. Fertilizers make the land more nutritious and fertile.
Important! Before planting, the seeds are disinfected with soda. For 1 liter of water there are 10 g of powder. The material is soaked in the resulting solution for 24 hours. A solution of succinic acid also gives an excellent effect. For 1 liter of water you need 15 ml of acid. Processing time is 18-25 hours.
The distance between the holes should be at least 50 cm. The seeds are placed in the grooves to a depth of 3 cm. 4-5 seeds are placed in each hole and sprinkled with loose earth on top.After 10 days, the seedlings are thinned out, the distance between the shoots is reduced to 40 cm.
Planting seating
In addition to disinfected seeds, seedlings require a suitable container. The plant is planted in wooden boxes, flower pots, plastic cups, kefir bags. Experienced gardeners purchase special peat capsules. The container is made of environmentally friendly material, easy to use and inexpensive. Peat tablets take up little space, they are placed on the windowsill in the pallet.
The soil for seedlings is also prepared in advance. For this, land from the garden is used, mixed with manure and ash. Before planting, the soil is disinfected with a manganese solution or aloe juice. The seeds are placed in pits and sprinkled with earth, then watered abundantly with warm water. The optimum temperature for seedlings is 28 degrees Celsius. As soon as the first shoots appear, the temperature is lowered to 18 degrees. Water the seedlings every 5 days.
Growing and care
First of all, the watering regime is observed.
Drying out the soil negatively affects the taste of the vegetable, which acquires a bitter and watery taste. Water the beds with warm water, since cold water leads to the formation of gray rot and to inhibition of growth. To retain moisture, the soil is mulched, that is, straw or fresh cut grass is added to the beds. Before watering, the soil is loosened so that it becomes more nutritious and airy. Loosening depth no more than 10 cm, so as not to damage delicate and fragile roots.
The hybrid needs nutritious feeding. Experienced summer residents alternate mineral and organic fertilizers.
During the flowering period, yeast is introduced into the beds (a pack of yeast is dissolved in 10 liters of water and left to stand for 3 days). Top dressing stimulates the growth of cucumbers, improves taste.
After 2 weeks, chicken manure is introduced, which is rich in zinc, potassium, iron, copper and zinc. Use top dressing 2-3 times per season.
Features of cultivation and possible difficulties
In the process of growing, summer residents are faced with such a problem: a lot of large leaves and few fruits. Due to the excessive foliage of the bush, the cucumbers do not have enough sunlight, which is why they stop growing and lose their elasticity.
The formation of a bush will help to correct the situation: remove too large leaves, leaving the petioles. It is necessary to regularly inspect the cucumber beds and remove too large leaf plates.
Important! Falling ovaries and yellowing of cucumbers - a sign of an excess of water or dressing. Most often this happens with a tight fit. To eliminate the problem, the beds are sprinkled with wood ash. The tool removes excess moisture from the soil and reduces acidity.
It is better to water and feed Courage in the early morning or evening, after sunset. Otherwise, sunburn will appear on the leaves. Before watering, the water is heated in the sun, in large tanks or buckets. It is important to direct the water directly under the root, bypassing the leaves and stems, otherwise the risk of developing fungal infections and viral diseases increases.
Diseases and pests
Even the most disease-resistant hybrids get sick from time to time. Cucumber Courage is no exception.
The most common diseases are:
- Powdery mildew appears as a white coating on the leaves. The causes of infection lie in high humidity, improper care. For prophylaxis, spraying with an ash solution, Bordeaux liquid, potash fertilizers is used. If you do not take action in time, the leaves will dry out, the cucumbers will stop growing. An effective remedy for the fight against powdery mildew is the preparation "HOM".
- Cladosporium Is a brown olive spot. It develops rapidly in rainy and cloudy weather. The source of infection can be soil, weeds, seeds. To prevent disease, gardeners water the beds only with warm water, follow the rules of crop rotation. In the fight against cladosporiosis, funds "Fundazol" or "Oxyhom" help.
- When infected with gray mold, leaves, stems and fruits are covered with a light gray bloom... Bacterial disease occurs due to an excess of minerals and due to low temperatures. If the disease has just appeared, then the bushes are treated with "Rovral". For a more serious fight against gray rot, Bordeaux liquid or the drug "Bayleton" is used.
From pests on cucumber beds, a gall nematode will attack. Small worms are difficult to see with the naked eye. The pest damages the roots, which causes the entire plant to dry out. Sterilization of the soil and treatment with a solution of copper sulfate help to fight the worm.
With improper care in the beds, you can find a bear, whitefly, aphids. To avoid their negative effect, experienced gardeners follow the rules of crop rotation, take care of the plant in time, and fertilize the soil.
Harvesting and application of the crop
Cucumbers are harvested in June. Harvesting is done regularly, without waiting for the outgrowth of the fruit. Every 2-3 days, summer residents inspect the beds and pluck elastic small cucumbers. It is better to pick the fruits in the morning or evening, at which time they become firm.
Cucumbers are cut with scissors or pruners, but some gardeners harvest with bare hands. It is important not to get scratched, because the surface of the hybrid is slightly prickly. The stalks must remain on the whips. Leaves and stems must not be plucked or twisted.
Important! Fresh cucumbers do not store for a long time. It's best to eat or process them right away. A regular refrigerator helps keep vegetables tasty. The optimum storage temperature is 6-8 degrees Celsius, air humidity is from 85% to 95%.
Delicious cucumbers are prepared pickles for the winter, vegetable light salads, sandwiches and snacks. Housewives experiment with the product and even prepare cold soups from cucumber.
Interesting! A popular recipe for cucumber, mint and yogurt. All ingredients are mixed in a blender, seasoned with salt and pepper. Cold soup fits perfectly into proper and dietary nutrition.
For a sweet dish, use cucumber, vanilla, and ginger. This makes a great cooling snack.
Advantages and disadvantages of the variety
The Courage hybrid has many advantages: juicy taste, unpretentious care, high and stable yield. Cucumbers are resistant to diseases and pests, suitable for growing in any climatic zone.
Vegetables are versatile in use, good both fresh and after heat treatment. They have a lot of useful vitamins and minerals, they form the basis of a correct and healthy diet.
Of the shortcomings, it is noted that you need to buy seeds every year. Many summer residents complain about the high cost of seeds of the Courage f1 hybrid. The rest of the hybrid has no significant disadvantages.
Reviews
Many farmers have already tried to grow Courage cucumbers on their land.
Lilia, Ufa: «Early ripening cucumbers Kurazh I are planted for the third year in a row. I like their appearance, crunchy taste. For maintenance, they only require regular watering and loosening. Twice a season I feed them with ash and droppings. "
Maria, St. Petersburg: “I prefer to grow only hybrids. They rarely get sick, which is important for the climate of my region. I am happy with the harvest, 2-3 kg are harvested from 1 bush. I recommend landing. "
Elizaveta, Kurgan: “I didn't like the courage that the bushes need to be formed. Many large leaves have grown in the garden, and the cucumbers themselves are small, it is difficult to find them among the foliage. Compared to other hybrids, Courage seemed to me the most whimsical. "
Read also:
How to deliciously prepare Chinese cucumbers for the winter: recipes and tips.
Conclusion
The Courage hybrid is recommended for growing beginner gardeners. Planting and care does not require special knowledge. Cucumbers love organic food, such as ash or dung.
Before planting, the soil is sterilized, and the seeds are soaked in a solution of succinic acid. Bushes should be at a distance of 40-50 cm from each other, no less. Pick vegetables slightly unripe. Cucumbers are indispensable in cooking, because in addition to taste, they also bring benefits: they cleanse the body of cholesterol and help to lose weight.