Cucumber Ecole f1: characteristics and description of the variety, cultivation with photo

Through the efforts of the breeders of the Dutch company Syngenta Seeds in 2011, a new cucumber hybrid Ekol f1 was launched on our market. The variety quickly got used to gardeners and gained popularity.

Small, crunchy, dark green cucumbers are great in preserves and fresh salads. The pulp is juicy, without voids, bitter taste is genetically excluded. The manufacturer gives a description of the Ecole f1 variety, characterizing it as:

• early ripe;
• temperature resistant;
• parthenocarpic;
• weak branching;
• high yield;
• not bitter;
• disease resistant;
• gherkin;
• crisp and juicy;
• suitable for protected and open ground;

Growing

As a result of the work of breeders, even in a small area, subject to agrotechnical recommendations, you can get a large stable crop of Ekol f1 cucumbers throughout the summer.

Seedlings

Ekol f1 cucumber hybrid seeds have excellent germination. But you can play it safe, soak and germinate first.

To form a developed root system of cucumbers, seedlings are planted individually in containers with a volume of 400-500 ml.Peat cups are ideal, since you do not need to get the plant out of them, damaging the root. If cucumber seedlings are grown in plastic containers, the earthen ball is released very carefully, trying not to break the integrity at all. Otherwise, the plant will stop its development until the root is restored.

Soil mix for seedlings

The soil mixture for planting cucumber seeds is prepared nutritious, light and loose. Crushed peat, rotted sawdust, humus are mixed in equal parts. For 10 liters of such soil, add 200 g of ash, 1 teaspoon of superphosphate, urea and potassium sulfate. This soil will cover the plant's nutrient needs for the first 2-3 weeks.

Temperature conditions

Cucumbers should germinate at 25℃ under the film. After 3-4 days, the film is removed and seedlings are provided with a lower temperature, about 20-21 ℃.This will allow the root of the plant to develop and the stems not to stretch. Light day is artificially extended with the help of backlighting. Water the seedlings of cucumbers with warm water, preventing the earthen clod from drying out.

At the age of two weeks, seedlings begin to harden. For another 7-10 days, Ecole f1 cucumbers are taken out into the fresh air during the day for 30-40 minutes. And the temperature in the room is reduced to 15-16 ℃.

At three weeks of age, plants should produce 3-4 true leaves and reach a height of about 20 cm. Now the hybrid seedlings are ready to move to a permanent place.

Shaping a bush

For the Ekol f1 cucumber variety, it is not necessary to bury the plant when planting seedlings in the ground. In the northern regions, it can even reduce yields. An earthen ball with a root is carefully, without violating integrity, transferred to a hole of the right size and immediately poured with warm water.

The first flowers of the hybrid will have to be sacrificed, before the appearance of 5-6 leaves, the ovary must be removed. The plant is not yet ready for full fruiting and cucumber stems will stop growing until the early ovary ripens.

Yellowed leaves are constantly cut off. This renews the plant and encourages fruiting.

The ovary at Ecole f1 is laid in bunches of 3-7 pieces, it does not need to be thinned out, the bush can pour several cucumbers at once.

Tie to trellises

Cucumber hybrid develops best on trellises. Tying allows you to place up to 5 roots per 1 square. M. without shading. There is no point in planting more. Plants will interfere with each other, ventilation will be disturbed, fungi and other diseases will start. Without tying up, the cucumber crop runs the risk of breaking thin lashes or rotting on wet soil.

The stem of the hybrid is not genetically limited in growth, therefore, when it reaches the top of the trellis at a height of 1.5-1.8 m, pinch the growth point. Side lashes grow moderately and usually do not cause trouble, if desired, you can pinch after 3-4 leaves.

Soil and top dressing

Preparing the soil for cucumbers involves adding plenty of humus, peat, compost, and some wood ash to garden soil.

The result should be a loose, light soil mixture rich in organic matter and minerals.

According to the description of Ekol cucumbers, the fruiting period is long, more than two months, the yield is high, therefore, even in prepared soil, fertilizing is indispensable. There should be at least four or five of them, two or three of which fall during the fruiting period.It is necessary to monitor the external signs of plant he alth and, if necessary, increase the amount of top dressing.

Cucumbers respond well to organic fertilizers. You can make infusions of bird droppings, mullein and nettle. Suitable mineral complex fertilizers, consisting of potassium s alt, ammonium nitrate and superphosphate.

Irrigation

One of the main conditions for a good harvest of Ekol f1 hybrid cucumbers is proper watering. It is not recommended to allow the earthen coma to dry out.

Warm water is watered plants once every two or three days in the morning or evening. On hot days, you need to control the condition of the soil. To create a favorable environment for earthworms and do without loosening, the soil is mulched with peat or sawdust.

Ecole diseases f1

When choosing a place for planting cucumbers, you need to consider that they grow best after the nightshade family, root vegetables, garlic and onions.If you do not alternate crops on the site for several years in a row, the plants will be infected with the same diseases and pests from year to year.

Ecole f1 variety is genetically resistant to serious cucumber diseases. It is not damaged by powdery mildew, olive blotch, and the cucumber mosaic virus is not terrible.

With proper crop rotation, proper watering and careful tying to the trellis, the risk of disease in the hybrid is very small.

Harvest

Reviews of gardeners about the yield of Ekol f1 cucumber varieties are the most positive, about 18-20 kg per 1 sq. m. Cucumbers ripen crispy and juicy already 40-42 days after germination. It is important not to miss the moment and pick the greens to full maturity. Cucumbers of this variety, which have outgrown the gherkin stage, “flank” very quickly, lose their aroma and elasticity.

It is advisable to harvest the Ekol f1 cucumber hybrid at least once every 1-2 days, in the morning or evening in the form of 5-7 cm pickles. It is better to cut the fruits with scissors without affecting the stem. You will have to wear gloves, cucumbers are quite spiked. Ecole f1 cucumbers are not stored for longer than a week, it is better to preserve freshly picked greens.

Conclusion

The characteristics of the Ekol f1 cucumber hybrid turned out to be quite promising. The variety is not suitable only for summer residents of the "weekend". Cucumbers require almost daily harvesting, otherwise they overripe and lose their taste. For canning crispy pickles and a summer table, these Dutch greens are perfect.

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