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Cucumber Aquarius is a non-hybrid variety bred by breeders of the All-Russian Research Institute of Seed Production. In 1984 it was zoned in the Central Black Earth Region, in 1989 the culture was included in the lists of the State Register. The variety is intended for cultivation in the Middle Volga and North Caucasian regions.
Description of the Aquarius cucumber variety
Cucumber Aquarius belongs to the determinant semi-stem type. It reaches a height of 1 m, then growth stops. The variety is early maturing, the fruits ripen in 45–52 days. Cucumber Aquarius forms 2-4 stems of the first order, 3 of them go to the formation of a bush. Excess and subsequent ones are removed as the growing season. The plant is not densely leafy, open type. Cucumber Aquarius belongs to the varieties of a new generation, created for growing in the open field, cultivation in a greenhouse is possible. Small crops for growing in a protected area are not profitable.
The Aquarius cucumber does not belong to parthenocarpic hybrids, this is another reason why cultivation in a greenhouse is difficult. The plant forms flowers of different sexes; pollinating insects are needed for fruiting.
External description of the Aquarius cucumbers shown in the photo:
- Shoots of the first order of medium thickness, intense pubescence, long, prickly pile. The structure of the shoots is tough, not brittle, light green with a gray tint. The formation is high.
- The leaves are large, five-lobed, fixed on long thin petioles. The leaf plate is rough, slightly corrugated, with rigid veins. The edges are finely serrated.
- The root system of the Aquarius cucumber is fibrous, not deepened, growing to the sides. The root circle is small - within 25 cm.
- The variety blooms with single, heterosexual, simple flowers of a bright yellow color. Like all pollinated crops, it has 15% barren flowers. All female flowers give ovaries.
The varietal feature of the cucumber is the uneven ripening of zelents. The fruits of the first collection are larger, the latter have a lower mass. The duration of fruiting is long, the first harvest is carried out in July, the growing season ends at the end of August. Fruits, upon reaching biological ripeness, do not increase in size, do not turn yellow, acid is not present in the taste. The changes concern the peel, it becomes more rigid.
Description of fruits of cucumber Aquarius:
- oval-oblong shape;
- length - 14 cm, diameter - 4.5 cm, weight - 110 g;
- the surface is light green at the base, a yellowish spot is formed at the apex with longitudinal light lines up to the middle of the fruit;
- tuberosity is rare, the main location is on the lower part, irregularities are round, finely pubescent;
- the peel is glossy, without a wax coating, thin, strong;
- the pulp is white, juicy, without voids, the seeds are large in small quantities.
The variety is grown mainly in a summer cottage or a personal plot; it is rarely used for commercial purposes.
Taste qualities of cucumbers
According to the varietal description and according to the reviews of vegetable growers, the Aquarius cucumber is juicy, fragrant sweet. Bitterness does not appear with a lack of moisture, there is no acid after overripe. Fruits of a standard size, suitable for canning as a whole.The peel tolerates thermal processing well. No voids appear in the pulp, the surface after the hot marinade brightens slightly. After cold pickling, the cucumbers are firm, firm and crispy. Cucumbers are consumed fresh, used as a component in assorted vegetables.
Pros and cons of the Aquarius cucumber variety
Variety Aquarius is a relatively young culture, but quite popular among vegetable growers in the Central region of Russia. This is one of the few representatives of the species that does not stop growing at a temperature of +12 0C. Along with frost resistance, cucumbers of this variety have many advantages:
- resistance to infections and pests;
- early ripening and long period of fruit collection;
- high gastronomic score;
- universal purpose;
- good yield for a medium-sized bush;
- suitable for salting as a whole;
- unpretentious in care.
The disadvantage of the variety is the presence of barren flowers and increased demand for watering.
Optimal growing conditions
The Aquarius cucumber variety is a light-loving plant that feels comfortable in a periodically shaded area. They place the culture on the south or east side, take into account that the cucumber does not react well to the north wind. The composition of the soil is chosen neutral, fertile with good drainage. Cucumber Aquarius requires frequent watering, but at the same time reacts poorly to stagnant moisture.
The site is prepared 3 weeks before planting:
- They are digging up the garden bed.
- If the soil is acidic, add lime or other alkaline agents.
- Weeds and roots are removed.
- Superphosphate, compost and saltpeter are added.
Growing cucumbers Aquarius
According to the characteristics and description of the variety, the Aquarius cucumber is cultivated by the seedling method and planting seeds immediately on the garden bed. Pre-grown seedlings shorten the growing season before fruiting. When growing seedlings, harvesting begins 2 weeks earlier. The generative method of reproduction (planting seeds in the ground) is suitable for regions with a milder climate.
Direct planting in open ground
Before starting work, the Aquarius cucumber planting material is wrapped in a damp canvas cloth and placed in the refrigerator for a day. Then disinfection is carried out in a manganese solution. Placed on the site when the soil warmed up to +120 C. If there is a threat of frost after sprouting, cover the cucumbers. For central Russia, the approximate landing time is the second half of May.
Sequencing:
- Wells are made to a depth of 2.5 cm.
- Three seeds are laid, covered with soil.
- After the formation of the third leaf, the cucumbers are thinned out, 1 seedling should remain.
Seedling growing
The culture does not tolerate transplanting from one place to another. When growing seedlings, Aquarius cucumbers do not dive, but are immediately planted in a permanent place. Experienced vegetable growers recommend laying in small peat containers, together with the capacity, the seedling is determined in the hole. Sowing of the material is carried out approximately in mid-April, after 25-30 days the cucumbers are ready for planting in the ground.
Planting seeds of the Aquarius variety:
- A nutritious soil mixture is prepared from equal parts of sand, peat and compost.
- They are poured into containers, the planting material is deepened by 1.5 cm, watered.
- Put containers with cucumbers in a room with a constant temperature (20-220 C) and good air circulation.
- Lighting should be at least 15 hours a day; special lamps are additionally installed.
Seeds and young shoots of cucumbers are watered every evening with a small amount of water, complex fertilizers are applied before planting.
Watering and feeding
The irrigation regime depends on seasonal precipitation, the main task is to prevent waterlogging and drying out of the soil. Moisturize cucumbers in the evening or in the morning, so as not to provoke the appearance of burns on the leaves.
Feeding Aquarius cucumber is necessary for normal development and fruiting:
- After the formation of the first order shoots, urea is added.
- After 21 days, fertilize with potassium, phosphorus, superphosphate.
- After 2 weeks, organic matter is given.
- During fruiting, cucumbers are fed with nitrogen-containing fertilizers.
After 10 days and until the end of fruiting, mineral fertilizers are applied at intervals of one week.
Formation
They form a bush of the Aquarius variety with the first shoots, usually 3 stems are left so that the cucumber is not overloaded. You can leave 2 or 4 stems. When the stepsons grow up to 4 cm, they are removed. The lower leaves and shading fruits are removed from the bush. Throughout the growing season, the shoots are tied to a support. There is no need to break off the top, the variety does not grow above 1 m.
Protection against diseases and pests
Aquarius resists well to almost all infections. Anthracnose contamination is possible. For preventive purposes, crop rotation is observed, weeds, in the spring they treat cucumber bushes with "Trichodermin" or copper sulfate. At the first signs of illness, colloidal sulfur is used. Only the caterpillar of the whitefly moth parasitizes the Aquarius cucumber. They destroy the pest with the Komandor insecticide.
Yield
The shade-tolerant, frost-resistant variety of cucumbers Aquarius begins to bear fruit in mid-July. The photosynthesis of a plant does not depend on the degree of illumination and temperature conditions; the yield is not affected by a sharp drop in temperature or heat. The only condition is constant watering. Cucumber bush Aquarius of medium height, during fruiting gives about 3 kg of fruit. 1 m2 4–6 units are planted, the yield is 8–12 kg.
Conclusion
Cucumber Aquarius is a determinant early maturing variety of the half-stem type. A frost-resistant plant is cultivated in a temperate climate by planting in open ground. Fruits with good gastronomic characteristics, versatile in use, suitable for preservation in glass jars whole. The yield is high, the level of fruiting does not depend on weather conditions.
