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It is difficult to find a garden crop variety with ideal characteristics. Cucumber Arctic is very close to this definition, as it meets the high requirements in agricultural technology, taste, uniqueness of application. 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 is Arena F1) is a hybrid of Korean selection, adapted to the climatic conditions of Our Country. 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 spikes, has short internodes. In the axils of the leaves there are tendrils with which the plant clings to a support. The leaves are heart-shaped, five-lobed, slightly pubescent, bright green in color, covered with a wax coating that protects against pests and low temperatures. Their size varies and depends on growing conditions – humidity, 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 the Arktika cucumber.
Description of fruits
Zelentsy varieties Arktika 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 located tubercles, black spikes. The pulp is elastic, juicy, medium density, without voids. The taste of cucumber Arctic F1 is rich, delicate, with a pronounced aroma. Bitterness is absent. Seeds remain in the stage of milky maturity, there are few of them. The Arctic hybrid is used fresh and for preparations for the winter – pickles and marinades.
Main characteristics of the variety
Cucumber varieties Arctic – the result of selection by the South Korean company NongWoo Bio, belongs to parthenocrapic hybrids. The seeds have been tested and entered in the State Register of Varieties of the Federation. The variety is certified as acclimatized to the conditions of Our Country.
The Arctic belongs to early-ripening hybrids, due 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 cold snap. The fruits are tied and formed without the participation of insects, which is especially important in greenhouse growing conditions. Cucumbers have high keeping quality and transportability.
The drought resistance of the Arktika variety is average, the soil must always be kept moist. Excessive overheating and waterlogging can lead to the death of the cucumber root system.
Productivity
Variety Arktika refers to early maturing. The period from germination to fruiting is 35 days. It can stretch up to 42 days if the conditions are unfavorable. The yield of cucumber is high due to closely spaced internodes and bunch fruiting. Up to three female flowers are formed in each internode, and then high quality greens. The plant is able to regenerate, i.e., re-form ovaries on the lower part of the stem. Not all varieties have this property.
The first crop of cucumbers in heated greenhouses can be obtained already in early May, then regularly throughout the season.
Pest and disease resistance
When carrying out breeding work on the Arktika variety, much attention was paid to the resistance of the plant to diseases. The hybrid has high immunity, well resists the most common diseases – cladosporiosis, 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 yield;
- 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 repeated fruiting in one season (regeneration);
- excellent taste;
- versatility of use.
The disadvantages of the variety include:
- thick skin of fruits;
- inability to collect seeds.
The peel, considered thick, contributes to long-term storage and transportation of cucumbers over long distances.
Growing rules
In order to get a harvest at the end of April, a seedling method of cultivation is recommended. For this purpose, sowing on seedlings of the Arctic variety is carried out at the end of February. Transplantation is carried out after three weeks in a heated greenhouse. The plant is tied to a trellis. Cucumber is a plant demanding and responsive to top dressing and watering. They must be timely and periodic. Daily watering and fertilizing during fruiting bring a positive result.
For growing the Arctic cucumber in open ground, 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;
- proper soil preparation;
- timely removal of weeds;
- watering with warm water;
- alternation of dressings (nitrogen, organic, phosphorus-potassium);
- periodic garter of plants and harvesting.
Terms of sowing
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. 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. Seedlings of plants can be planted in open ground under cover with a film or non-woven material in the middle lane in mid-May. Consequently, sowing seeds for these purposes is carried out in the third decade of April. Without shelter, Arctic cucumbers 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, sowing dates may shift.
Choosing a place and preparing beds
To choose the right place for planting the Arctic in the open field, you should be guided by the rules:
- areas protected from northern winds are suitable for cucumbers;
- 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 state of the root system of plants.
Ideal predecessors for cucumbers are legumes, which enrich the soil with nitrogen. Planting after rye and wheat is possible, it is acceptable after tomatoes and cabbage.
The soil for growing cucumbers of the Arctic variety must be fertile and loose, have excellent throughput and absorption capabilities. The best options for seedlings are humus, soddy 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
The seeds of the Arctic cucumber must be prepared for sowing – to carry out calibration, disinfection, hardening, bubbling. You can simplify the procedure by buying already processed seeds.
As containers for future seedlings of the Arctic cucumber variety, it is better to use peat tablets, cups, cassettes. Peat containers make the transplant painless, since the culture does not like picking. The soil mixture is prepared as follows: mix equal parts manure compost, soddy 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 hot water over it. A cucumber seed is planted in each container to a depth of 2 cm and the pots are placed in heat. After the emergence of seedlings, 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 prepared ridges with foil to retain moisture. As a support for cucumbers, several rows of wire can be pulled. 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 cotyledon leaves. About 4 plants are planted per square meter.
If the greenhouse is not heated or cucumbers are grown outdoors under temporary shelter, then the “warm bed” method can be used.
Aftercare for cucumbers
To obtain the maximum yield in the first turn, top dressing of the Arktika cucumber is carried out on a leaf basis. Spraying should be carried out with complex micro- and macro fertilizers along with potassium humate. The best time for foliar feeding of a plant is the first half of the day. During the second rotation, root dressing is carried out with potassium nitrate.
Constant conditions must be maintained in the greenhouse: temperature 22 – 28 ⁰С (during the day) and 18 – 20 ⁰С at night, humidity – 80%. Watering is carried out every other day, during the fruiting period – daily (morning and evening). The best option is drip. After watering, the soil requires loosening, and the greenhouse requires ventilation. The root system of the cucumber is close to the surface, so loosening should be done with care. Variety Arktika is indeterminate, does not require pinching, fruits are formed on the main stem. The plant must be carefully and timely tied to the trellis. Caring for it and harvesting it are not labor-intensive processes.
If signs of disease are detected, they are treated with special means.
Conclusion
Cucumber Arctic is a Korean hybrid grown in Our Country in industrial greenhouses, but amateurs use it infrequently. The characteristics of the variety, the features of cultivation, its positive qualities deserve more attention from gardeners.
Reviews about cucumbers Arktika F1
