Content
It is difficult to find a cultivar with ideal characteristics. Cucumber Arctic is very close to this definition, since it meets high requirements in agricultural technology, taste, and uniqueness of use. Reviews of the benefits of the variety indicate the possibility of growing a plant in different climatic conditions.
Description of cucumbers Arctic F1
Cucumber Arktika F1 (another name Arena F1) is a hybrid of Korean selection adapted to the climatic conditions of Russia. The plant is powerful, with a branched root system. Refers to indeterminate, that is, not requiring pinching. All ovaries are on the main stem. Cucumber Arctic F1 reaches a height of two meters, well leafy, covered with small thorns, has short internodes. In the axils of the leaves there are antennae, with the help of which the plant clings to the support. Leaves are cordate, five-lobed, slightly pubescent, bright green, covered with a waxy coating that protects against pests and low temperatures. Their size differs and depends on the growing conditions - moisture, soil fertility, illumination.
The flowers are yellow, located in the axils of the leaves. Up to three female flowers are formed in each internode of a cucumber variety Arktika.
Description of fruits
Zelentsy of the Arctic variety have a cylindrical shape, the length of the cucumber is 10 - 12 cm, the diameter is about 4 cm. The skin is strong, has elasticity, and is of medium thickness. The fruit is bright green, without stripes, with small, often spaced tubercles, black thorns. The pulp is firm, juicy, of medium density, without voids. The taste of cucumber Arktika F1 is rich, delicate, with a pronounced aroma. There is no bitterness. The seeds remain in the stage of milk maturity, there are few of them. The Arctic hybrid is used fresh and for preparations for the winter - pickles and marinades.
The main characteristics of the variety
The Arctic cucumber, a selection of the South Korean company NongWoo Bio, belongs to the parthenocrapic hybrids. The seeds have been tested and entered into the State Register of Varieties of the Russian Federation. The variety is certified as acclimatized to the conditions of Russia.
The Arctic belongs to early maturing hybrids, thanks to which the variety is used in industrial cultivation.
The plant has high immunity and resistance to pests.
The Arctic is a self-pollinating variety that easily tolerates temperature changes, especially a cold snap. The fruits are set and formed without the participation of insects, which is especially important in greenhouse growing conditions. Cucumbers have a high keeping quality and transportability.
The drought resistance of the Arktika variety is average, the soil must always be in a moist state. Excessive overheating and waterlogging can lead to the death of the cucumber root system.
Yield
The Arktika variety belongs to the early ripening varieties. The period from emergence to the beginning of fruiting is 35 days. It can take up to 42 days if conditions are unfavorable. Cucumber productivity is high due to closely spaced internodes and bundle fruiting. In each internodes, up to three female flowers are formed, and then high quality greens. The plant is able to regenerate, i.e. re-form the ovary on the lower part of the stem. Not all varieties have this property.
The first harvest of cucumbers in heated greenhouses can be obtained in early May, then regularly throughout the season.
Pest and disease resistance
When carrying out breeding work on the Arctic variety, much attention was paid to the resistance of the plant to diseases. The hybrid has high immunity, it resists well the most common diseases - cladosporium, brown spot, ascochitosis, tobacco mosaic, powdery mildew, fusarium. There is a high resistance of cucumber to pests - aphids, whiteflies, spider mites.
Pros and cons of the variety
Among the advantages of the Arctic variety:
- high productivity;
- the possibility of growing cucumbers in closed and open ground;
- good transportability;
- keeping quality of fruits;
- plant resistance to fluctuations in air temperature;
- immunity of cucumbers to diseases and pests;
- the possibility of re-bearing in one season (regeneration);
- excellent taste;
- versatility of use.
The disadvantages of the variety include:
- thick skin of the fruit;
- inability to collect seeds.
The peel, which is considered to be thick, promotes long-term storage and transportation of cucumbers over long distances.
Growing rules
In order to get a harvest already at the end of April, a seedling method of growing is recommended. For this purpose, sowing of seedlings of the Arctic variety is carried out at the end of February. The transplant is carried out after three weeks in a heated greenhouse. The plant is tied to a trellis. Cucumber is a demanding and responsive plant to fertilizing and watering. They must be timely and periodic. Daily watering and feeding during fruiting bring a positive result.
For growing Arctic cucumbers in the open field, both the seedling method and sowing directly into the ground are used. Sowing and planting dates depend on climatic conditions.
Among the basic rules for growing a variety:
- the need for pre-sowing seed treatment;
- correct soil preparation;
- timely removal weeds;
- watering with warm water;
- alternation of dressings (nitrogen, organic, phosphorus-potassium);
- periodic planting and harvesting.
Sowing dates
In order to calculate the timing of sowing seeds, planting cucumbers of the Arctic variety in a greenhouse and in open ground, you need to follow a simple rule. The seedlings are ready for planting at the age of three weeks. To do this in mid-April, sowing must be done at the end of February. In open ground under cover with a film or non-woven material in the middle lane, you can plant seedlings of plants in mid-May. Consequently, sowing seeds for these purposes is carried out in the third decade of April. Without shelter, cucumbers of the Arctic variety can be planted after the threat of frost has passed, that is, after June 10, which means sowing in mid-May. Depending on the climatic conditions of the region, the sowing time may be shifted.
Site selection and preparation of beds
To choose the right place for planting in the Arctic in the open ground, you should be guided by the following rules:
- for cucumbers, areas protected from northern winds are suitable;
- in the southern regions, it is worth choosing flat places so that there is no burnout;
- avoid lowlands and hollows;
- give preference to sunny places;
- close groundwater has a detrimental effect on the condition of the root system of plants.
The ideal precursors for cucumbers are legumes that enrich the soil with nitrogen. Planting is possible after rye and wheat, permissible after tomatoes and cabbage.
The soil for growing cucumbers of the Arctic variety must be fertile and loose, have excellent throughput and absorption capacity. The best options for seedlings are humus, sod soil or a combined substrate of peat, humus and soil. To prepare the soil, a number of activities should be carried out:
- remove all vegetation;
- check the acidity of the soil;
- carry out a complete disinfection;
- dig up the soil;
- form beds of medium height.
How to plant correctly
The Arctic cucumber seeds need to be prepared for sowing - calibration, disinfection, hardening, bubbling. You can simplify the procedure by purchasing already processed seeds.
It is better to use peat tablets, cups, cassettes as containers for future seedlings of Arctic cucumber varieties. Peat containers allow you to make the transplant painless, since the culture does not like picking. The soil mixture is prepared as follows: mixed in equal parts manure compost, sod soil and vermiculite, add a glass of ash, a teaspoon of urea and a tablespoon of nitrophoska. After mixing the components, fill the container with the mixture and pour it over with hot water. A cucumber seed is planted in each container to a depth of 2 cm and the pots are placed in a warm place. After the emergence of shoots, the plants are transferred to a lighted place without drafts. Care consists in timely watering with warm water, additional highlighting in cloudy weather, feeding and hardening.
Before planting seedlings in a greenhouse, it is worth preparing the soil: make beds up to 35 cm high and 80 cm wide, fertilize the soil with potassium sulfate and wood ash, superphosphate and urea. Cover the prepared ridges with foil to retain moisture. Several rows of wire can be pulled to support the cucumbers. On the day of planting, you need to make holes at a distance of 60 cm from each other in a checkerboard pattern. Their depth should correspond to the height of the seedling pots. The soil around the plant can be mulched with peat or sawdust to cotyledonous leaves. About 4 plants are planted per square meter.
If the greenhouse is not heated or the cucumbers are grown in the open field under a temporary shelter, then the "warm bed" method can be used.
Follow-up care for cucumbers
To obtain the maximum yield in the first turn, the dressing of the Arctic cucumber is carried out on a leaf. Spraying should be carried out with complex micro- and macro-fertilizers together with potassium humate. The best time for foliar feeding of the plant is the first half of the day. During the second turn, root top dressing is carried out with potassium nitrate.
In the greenhouse, constant conditions must be maintained: temperature 22 - 28 ⁰С (during the day) and 18 - 20 ,С at night, humidity - 80%. Watering is carried out every other day, during the fruiting period - every day (morning and evening). The best option is drip. After watering, the soil requires loosening, and the greenhouse needs aeration. The root system of the cucumber is close to the surface, so loosening must be done with care. Variety Arktika is indeterminate, does not require pinching, fruits are formed on the main stem. The plant must be tied to the trellis carefully and in time. Caring for it and harvesting is not laborious processes.
If signs of disease are detected, they are treated with special means.
Conclusion
Cucumber Arctic is a Korean hybrid grown in industrial greenhouses in Russia, but hobbyists rarely use it. The characteristics of the variety, the characteristics of cultivation, its positive qualities deserve more attention from the gardeners.
