Tips for growing cucumbers "Masha F1": how to get a good harvest in winter

Cucumber is the most common vegetable planted by gardeners. Therefore, breeders are trying to breed more varieties with universal characteristics. One of these achievements was the hybrid Masha f1. It has excellent taste, disease resistance and other positive qualities.

Description

Masha f1 is a Dutch hybrid from MONSANTO HOLLAND B. V. It was entered into the State Register of Russia in 2000 without specifying the region, that is, cultivation is possible throughout the country. The hybrid is grown in open ground or in a greenhouse-type shelter.

Masha f1 is distinguished by super early maturation. The first fruits can be expected 40-45 days after the emergence of the shoots.

Bushes of medium size with limited shoot formation, which facilitates the formation of lashes. The leaves are also small, green and dark green in color. In knots from 3 to 7 ovaries. The type of pollination is parthenocarpic, that is, self-pollinating.

reference... Humanity has been feeding on cucumbers for more than 4500 thousand years.

Pros and cons

Cucumbers Masha f1 are the best of many first generation hybrids. Their main advantages:

• early maturation;
• limited branching;
• resistance to many diseases and pests;
• beautiful and even shape of gherkin type fruits (medium-sized);
• long-term fruiting;
• good taste and density retention during preservation;
• the possibility of transportation without loss of taste.

Minuses:

• weak cucumber aroma;
• hard skin of the fruit;
• can outgrow and lose quality if the crop is not harvested on time;
• the fruits cannot be used for seeds, because they are hybrid and will not pass on their qualities to a new generation when replanted.

Fruit characteristics and yield

The size of the cucumbers is 8-10 cm, the diameter is from 3 to 3.5 cm. The weight is about 100 g. The shape is cylindrical. The color is dark green. The skin is dense, large tuberous. The taste is soft, without bitterness.

The yield is high. Up to 15 kg of cucumbers are harvested from 1 m² in greenhouse conditions. In open ground, the indicators are slightly less - 11-12 kg.

How to grow

To grow high quality Masha f1 cucumbers, you need to take into account the nuances of selection and sowing of seeds and further care of the plants.

Preparation, sowing seeds and growing seedlings

For planting a hybrid, it is important to choose the right place and prepare the soil. Consider a few tips:

• choose a sunny place, without drafts;
• Prepare the soil with a low acidity level and a high humus content;
• in the fall, add manure to the ground.

Before sowing, the seeds must be processed, but the manufacturer of Masha f1 took care of this and applied the pesticide "Tiram" to them to suppress the spores of fungal diseases. The germination rate of the hybrid is 95%.

For seedlings, seeds are sown in separate pots to avoid picking, which cucumbers do not like. The soil can be taken ready-made, universal type - it is suitable for any vegetables. Sold in a store.

The seeds are planted in a container, deepening by 1 cm. Then they are covered with foil and placed in a warm, bright place. Watering is carried out as the topsoil dries up. Lighting is left for 10-12 hours, if necessary, use special lamps. You can take the usual one, setting it so that the light falls on the seedlings.

Important! Do not place the seedling containers close to each other. The close location contributes to the development of diseases: powdery mildew, black leg.

Fertilize cucumbers 1-2 times before planting in the ground.1-2 weeks before placing the seedlings in a permanent place, they are gradually hardened.

Good cucumber seedlings have the following properties:

• strong bush 25-30 cm high with short internodes;
• 5-6 leaves of dark green color;
• age - no more than a month after germination;
• there is a branched root system.

It is undesirable to transplant seedlings from soil to soil. After that, the plant is sick for a long time and lags behind in development. The ideal option is cultivation in peat-distilled cups or peat tablets. These cucumbers grow better after transplanting.

Masha f1 is a thermophilic hybrid. It is necessary to plant it in open ground taking into account the weather conditions - in late May or early June, when the weather is warm and frosts are not expected. In extreme cases, they acquire a covering material to cover young plants.

The soil should also be warm. In insufficiently heated soil, the seeds will not sprout, and the seedlings will slowly grow or die.

The planting scheme is as follows: the distance between the rows is 70 cm, the seeds are laid out in the grooves after 10 cm.When the first leaves appear, the plantings are thinned out, leaving 20 cm between them.

Attention! Do not plant Masha cucumbers in places where groundwater is close.

Potatoes, tomatoes, legumes, cabbage, or onions are considered good precursors to cucumbers. And cucumbers do not tolerate beets and zucchini, because they draw out all the useful substances from the soil.

Hybrid bushes are formed into 1 stem. Each bush is tied to the trellis with a rope. All lateral processes, whiskers, lower and drying leaves are removed. In the first 4 nodes, the ovaries are also torn off, in the next 4 they leave a leaf and 1 ovary. Then, in 10-12 nodes - 2 leaves and ovaries, and in the next 10-15 nodes, 3 leaves and ovaries are left.

Fertilizers and watering

Cucumbers Masha f1 need watering, weeding, loosening and feeding. The beds are watered in the morning and evening, while the sun is not very warm. This will allow the plant roots to absorb more moisture.

Water for irrigation is defended so that it becomes warm and free of chlorine. Then the soil is loosened to saturate with oxygen. At the same time, weeding is carried out. Loosening carefully, trying not to touch the roots.

Fertilize the hybrid Masha f1 with a solution of mullein and ash or special mineral complexes for feeding vegetables, following the instructions. For the first time, fertilizer is applied when 2 leaves appear on the sprouts. The next 2 dressings are made with a difference of 2 weeks.

In the greenhouse

Masha f1 is perfect for greenhouse conditions. In order to harvest a good harvest of cucumbers in the greenhouse in winter, create the necessary microclimate.

There must be heating. But it takes a lot of moisture, therefore, in order to humidify the air, they put containers with water, wash the floor and walls.

In winter, the sun does not warm, natural lighting is weak, so it is necessary to use electric lamps - without them growing is impossible. They are immediately placed low above the seedlings, and then, as they grow, they are raised higher.

Seeds are planted at a temperature of 25 ° C. After germination, the temperature is maintained at 15 ° C during the day, 12 ° C at night. Seedlings are fertilized and watered 2 times a day.

Seedlings are planted in a greenhouse at a temperature of 25 ° C. The distance between the plants is 20 cm, and between the rows - 90 cm. During the day, the greenhouse is ventilated. The temperature should not be allowed to drop below 10 ° C, otherwise the plants will cease to bear fruit.

For well-being and quick formation of ovaries cucumbers need feeding 1 time in 2 weeks... Before flowering, the plants are watered 2 times a week, and after watering is carried out every other day. But if the leaves start to fade, you need to water it right away.

Important! In the greenhouse, cucumbers are grown only on a trellis.

On the windowsill

Since the Masha hybrid is self-pollinating, it can be grown in the winter at home. The container for planting should be voluminous - at least 5 liters per plant.

Tips on how to properly grow cucumbers on a windowsill in winter:

• the window sill or balcony should be located on the south, east or west side, but not on the north;
• on cloudy days, you need to illuminate the cucumbers with fluorescent lamps at least 2 hours a day;
• the optimum temperature for growing is 21-23 ° C;
• you need to water regularly, spray the entire plant once every 7 days;
• fertilize with mineral fertilizers once a week;
• turn the pot with the plant so that it receives light from all sides;
• when pulling the stems, they need to be tied up;
• prevent drafts and cold, glue all the cracks in the window frames.

Prevention of diseases and pests

Hybrid Masha is able to withstand some diseases, but not all, so it is important to disinfect on time.

Diseases:

1. Powdery mildew... It is characterized by the appearance of white bloom on the leaves. Colloidal sulfur and "Isofen" are used for treatment.
2. Anthracosis... Its difference is brown spots on the leaves and stems. Before planting, the soil is watered with Bordeaux liquid to reduce the risk of disease.
3. Root rot. It can attack cucumbers at any age. In diseased plants, the stem gradually becomes thinner and dies. Compliance with agricultural techniques serves as prevention. Sick bushes are destroyed, and garden tools are treated with disinfectants.

The plant is attacked by the following pests:

1. Spider mite. The heat-loving insect appears on all vegetables grown in the greenhouse. From folk remedies, an infusion of potato tops is suitable (1-2 kg insist in 10 liters of water for 3 hours). Of the chemicals, the safest remedy is Keltan. Sprayed in the evening when the soil is wet.
2. Whitefly... It can be recognized by its sooty mold-like coating. They get rid of the pest with the chemicals "Aktara" or "Kinmix". But after processing, you need to wait 10-12 days for the safe use of cucumbers.

Reviews of gardeners

Reviews of this hybrid are mostly positive. Many people note its early ripening and good yield. Among the negative qualities, thick skin and faint aroma were noted.

Natalia, Krasnodar: “Masha's cucumber hybrid is very reliable. I have been growing them on my site for several years in a row and I don't know any problems. They grow well and bear fruit well. Suitable for eating and preserving with tomatoes. "

Nina, Chelyabinsk: “I buy the seeds of such cucumbers every year and plant them first in peat pots and then in a greenhouse. The fruits are medium-sized, beautiful, as in the photo on the package. Perfect for preservation, as the skin is dense. They taste sweet, but we like it. "

Mikhail, Astrakhan: “For the first time after setting the fruit, I spray the plant with the preparation“ Ovyaz ”and then 2 times until the end of the season. They grow until frost. There are a lot of cucumbers: enough for salting and to distribute to friends. "

Conclusion

Masha f1 is a leader among varieties and hybrids of cucumbers in terms of characteristics and description. Its merits were appreciated by many gardeners - both amateurs and experts. It is also ideal for growing in winter in a special greenhouse or at home on a windowsill.

Providing the plant with proper care, you are sure to get a large harvest of delicious and crispy cucumbers in summer and winter.