Unpretentious cucumber "Lilliput f1" that does not require pollination and gives a rich harvest
Every gardener wants to grow his own, the most fragrant and crunchy cucumbers “right from the garden”. So that the result does not disappoint, experienced summer residents are advised to purchase proven, well-proven varieties and hybrids. One of these cultures is Lilliputian f1.
In this article, you will learn what are the benefits of this hybrid and how to grow it properly to get the maximum yield.
The content of the article
Description
The parthenocarpic hybrid Lilliput f1 of the Gavrish seed company was included in the State Register of Breeding Achievements of Russia in 2008, zoned for growing in greenhouse conditions in the middle zone.
Distinctive features
Cucumbers Lilliput f1 are distinguished by medium branching and a predisposition to the formation of lateral determinant processes. Leaves are medium in size, ranging from green to dark green.
Fruit growth is slow, which is genetically inherent. If the cucumber is not removed from the lash in a timely manner, it retains its length within 7-9 cm and begins to grow in breadth, does not turn yellow for a long time, but the growth of new ovaries is inhibited.
Gherkin type hybrid, early maturing: the period from germination to the beginning of fruiting is less than 1.5 months. It has only female flowers that do not require insect pollination.
Universal application: fresh and prepared. It tolerates transportation well, keeps fresh for a long time.
Composition, properties, benefits, calories
Cucumber has a unique composition - it consists of 95% structured water, which is extremely beneficial for the body. It has a caloric content of only 15 kcal per 100 g of product, contains 0.8 g of proteins, 0.1 g of fat, 2.8 g of carbohydrates.
Cucumber is rich in beta-carotene, vitamins A, B, C, PP, trace elements: potassium, magnesium, phosphorus, chromium, folic acid. Record holder for fiber content, useful for patients with atherosclerosis, coronary heart disease, obesity.
Specifications
Hybrid Lilliput f1 is a medium-sized, branching bush with small foliage. There are 7-10 ovaries in each axil of the leaf. Fruits 8-9 cm in size, gherkin type, large tuberous, with white thorns.
The weight of a cucumber is 80-100 g, it does not outgrow with rare harvesting. The vegetable has a green color at the petiole, gradually brightens towards the tip, has small stripes. The shape of the cucumber is elongated, cylindrical.
Cucumber tastes excellent: thin skin, juicy, crispy flesh without bitterness.
Fruiting begins at the end of June. The yield is 7-10 kg per m².
How to grow yourself
The Lilliput cucumber is not difficult to grow on your own, given the proposed recommendations.
Landing
Cucumbers Lilliput f1 are grown by seedlings or direct sowing into the ground. When growing seedlings, it is recommended to plant each seed separately in a peat or plastic cup with a retractable bottom, since the plant does not tolerate picking well. The soil can be bought or prepared independently: sod earth, humus and sand are mixed in a ratio of 3: 2: 1.
Fertile soil is disinfected with "Fitosporin" or by heating in the oven. Seeds are sealed to a depth of 1-2 cm. Immediately after germination, the seedlings are placed in the brightest possible place, the thermal regime is maintained at 22-25 ° C. In the middle lane, planting seeds for seedlings should be done in mid-April.
The seedlings are planted in the greenhouse when the weather is warm.When planting, they try to injure the delicate root system of the cucumber as little as possible.
The soil in the greenhouse should be fertile, rich in organic matter, and moisture-retaining. The cucumber doesn't like heavy, acidic soil.
Sometimes gardeners make a "warm" bed, digging a foundation pit 50-70 cm deep and place manure, cut grass, and various plant residues on the bottom. When rotting, the mixture gives off heat.
When sowing cucumber seeds directly into the ground, they are buried 1-2 cm, planted according to the 30x50 cm scheme. It is believed that cucumbers grown from seeds are stronger, but the start of fruiting is postponed.
Care for cucumbers in the greenhouse
Cucumbers require regular, abundant watering, but without stagnant water. Greenhouse ventilation is required. The favorable temperature for growing is 25-27 ° С during the day, 18 ° С at night. At temperatures below 15 ° C, the cucumber does not grow. In the event of late return frosts in the greenhouse, additional arcs with covering material have to be installed.
It is necessary to regularly feed the cucumbers with organic, mineral fertilizers. Timely weeding and loosening to a shallow depth is required so as not to damage the roots.
Features of cultivation and possible difficulties
The peculiarity of growing parthenocarpic hybrids is their pinching. In the axils of the first 4 sheets, the shoots are blinded, the next 5-6 - leave 20 cm and pinch, the next 5-6 - leave 30-40 cm and pinch.
In parthenocarpic hybrids, the bulk of the cucumbers is tied on the central trunk, so it is tied to a trellis.
Growing difficulties can arise for beginners when fertilizing.
If the foliage is light green, then the plant lacks organic matter.
If the foliage is large, dark green, the cucumber blooms poorly, then the plant is overfed with nitrogen, potassium-phosphorus mineral fertilizers should be applied.
The cucumber needs regular feeding during the entire growing season.
Reference! The lack of ventilation in the greenhouse and the thickening of the plantings (the hybrid branches heavily) can lead to the development of various diseases and the appearance of pests.
Diseases and pests of cucumber
Hybrid Lilliput f1 is genetically resistant to powdery mildew, downy mildew, olive spot, root rot.
With insufficient ventilation, contamination of the soil, watering with cold water, with temperature changes, the following diseases may develop:
- Peronosporosis - the leaves turn yellow, then spots appear, the plant gradually dries up. Treatment with whey or spraying with Bordeaux liquid with soapy water helps well.
- Cladosporium - brown spot, affects leaves and fruits. Develops when irrigated with cold water.
- Fusarium wilting - first, the lower leaves wither, gradually the process goes to the whole plant. The reason is fungus, which is often found in the soil. Helps "Trichodermin", which can be sprayed on plants or water the soil.
- Anthracnose - brown spots on the leaves, wet sores on cucumbers. Treatment is spraying with Bordeaux liquid.
The main pests of cucumbers in the greenhouse:
- spider mite - small, 0.3 mm in size, arachnid, which can be seen by small yellow dots on the leaves of cucumbers;
- whitefly - a white butterfly, 0.5 cm in size, its larvae carry a virus that covers the leaves with a sooty bloom;
- thrips - a small insect that causes significant harm to plantings.
The observed pests are fought with infusions of marigolds, garlic, onion husks and celandine together with green soap, which is sold in florist shops. If the infection has covered the entire greenhouse, they use insecticides "Aktara", "Fufanon", "Fitoverm", "Aktellik", biological products "Bitoxibacillin", "Nemabakt".
Harvesting and application of the crop
To get delicate small cucumbers, it is recommended to collect it every day or every other day during the season.Although the cucumbers of this hybrid remaining on the bush do not outgrow much, they draw off the plant's strength, and fewer new ovaries are formed.
reference! Hybrid Lilliput f1 - versatile and ideal for any kind of processing.
Advantages and disadvantages
The advantages of the hybrid include good taste and a small number of seeds in the fruit, early maturity, high productivity and ease of care. Lilliputian f1 is immune to many diseases of cucumbers. The fruits of the hybrid have an attractive appearance, are not prone to overgrowth, are versatile in use, and are well transported.
Disadvantages:
- when grown in open ground and over-pollination, non-standard fruits may appear;
- the bush branches strongly, it is necessary to form a bush by pinching;
- high cost of seeds, it is impossible to get your seeds from a hybrid.
Reviews
Gardeners characterize the Lilliput f1 as a hybrid that does not require special attention, fruiting in adverse conditions with a pleasant taste.
Tatiana, Arkhangelsk: “I always buy seeds of the Gavrish company, I thought better than the seeds of Zyatek and Mother-in-law, but I accidentally bought Lilliput f1. I was struck by this hybrid during fruiting: from the roots to the very top, it was strewn with cucumbers, as in the photo on the Internet. "
Stanislav, Barnaul: “I plant this hybrid all the time and call it lazy cucumbers. I rarely go to the dacha, watering often fails, but the cucumbers still grow beautiful and tasty. "
Natalia, Lipetsk: “We love cucumbers very much, we plant them every year. Bought for trial, attracted by the fact that pollination is not required. Cucumbers pleased: beautiful appearance, crispy pulp, not watery, thin skin. In salads it goes well with other vegetables - peppers and tomatoes. "
Conclusion
Cucumber hybrid Lilliput f1 is early maturing, unpretentious and high-yielding. The taste of the fruit can be assessed as "excellent". The hybrid is stable, even in cold summer it always yields. Planting a hybrid on your site can be advised to everyone, regardless of the level of training.