Cucumber Artist F1

Among the new modern hybrids of cucumbers, a variety with a beautiful sonorous name – “Artist f1” stands out very much.

Cucumber “Artist” was bred by breeders of the Dutch company Bejo (Bejo Zaden BV). The task of scientists was to create a hybrid that would give an early harvest and did not require pollinators. Both parameters are fully manifested in the hybrid. The topic of our article is a description of the Artist f1 cucumber, reviews about it and a photo of the plant.

Characteristics and description of the variety

For those who first decided to plant the Artist variety of cucumbers on their site, it is very useful to familiarize themselves with its characteristics. The main parameters that are of interest to vegetable growers:

1. Fruit ripening period. Cucumber “Artist f1” is an ultra-early variety, so even the most impatient summer residents will be satisfied. Zelentsy are ready for harvest 35-40 days after planting.
2. Plant type. According to the description of the variety, cucumbers “Artist” are indeterminate or unlimited in growth. Therefore, they require tying and forming a bush.
3. pollination type. The hybrid belongs to parthenocarpic, which indicates the self-pollination of the variety. It can be successfully grown in film greenhouses, on a balcony and, of course, in open ground.
4. Bush characteristics. The plant is vigorous with medium branching. Flowers are female. The leaves are dark green, large.
5. Productivity. Subject to the requirements of agricultural technology from 1 square. m plantings of cucumber varieties “Artist” collect up to 9 kg of delicious fruits.
6. Fruit. Cucumber greens “Artist f1” are distinguished by a peculiar characteristic feature. Their peel is covered with large frequent pimples. The shape of the fruit is cylindrical, the size is small (12 cm), weight is about 100 g. The pulp is without bitterness, crispy and fragrant.

   

7. The use of greens is universal. Cucumbers are equally good fresh and canned.

According to the reviews of those who planted Artist f1 cucumbers, the plant is fully consistent with the description.

Advantages and disadvantages

The best way to group the advantages and disadvantages of the variety of cucumbers “Artist” is to help the reviews of farmers.

Among the advantages of a hybrid, they distinguish:

• ultra-early ripening of cucumbers;
• duration of fruiting;
• excellent germination of planting material;
• lack of yellowness on ripe cucumbers;
• high productivity;
• resistance to common mosaic, cladosporiosis, powdery mildew;
• tolerance of the hybrid to the lack of lighting;
• high-quality presentation that allows you to grow cucumber “Artist” for commercial purposes;
• cucumber resistance to drought and heat;
• high recovery ability after drying;
• the versatility of eating cucumbers.

Cucumbers “Artist” – a very worthy variety in terms of its characteristics, but also has some disadvantages:

1. Yield indicator. Subject to agricultural technology, 8,5 kg are collected from the ridges per 1 sq. m. Many vegetable growers believe that this is an average figure. Dutch hybrids are able to produce more fruit from the same area.
2. The exactingness of cucumbers to the feeding schedule.

It is easier to consider such disadvantages as the distinctive characteristics of the Artist cucumber. A competent approach to cultivation agrotechnology allows you to completely eliminate them.

Seedling growing algorithm

The technology for growing cucumber varieties “Artist f1” is identical to the procedure for other hybrids. Begin sowing seeds of cucumbers in February. The exact date is calculated taking into account the climate of the region, weather conditions, recommendations of the lunar sowing calendar for the current year. Grow a variety of cucumbers in two ways:

• seedlings;
• direct seeding into the ground.

Grown in comfortable conditions, cucumber seedlings will allow you to harvest earlier, and the plants will be stronger. In any case, you will need high-quality cucumber seeds.

According to the description and varietal characteristics, the Artist cucumber belongs to the hybrids of the first generation. Therefore, seeds will have to be purchased annually. It is best to buy Dutch cucumber seeds “Artist”. They have undergone a complete pre-sowing treatment and are distinguished by a high percentage of germination. If it is decided to plant the seeds of cucumbers of an unknown manufacturer, then full or partial pre-sowing preparation can be carried out. For this:

• carry out the rejection of unsuitable – empty or damaged seeds of cucumbers;
• disinfect planting material in a solution of potassium permanganate for 15 minutes;
• harden by changing temperatures;
• soak cucumbers for sprouting.

To plant prepared cucumber seeds, you need to prepare the soil and containers for seedlings. The most optimal composition for cucumbers “Artist”, according to summer residents, contains 2 parts of humus and peat and 1 part of sawdust. In addition, vegetable growers apply mineral fertilizers per 10 liters of the mixture – nitrophoska (30 g) and wood ash (40 g). The composition is mixed, calcined, spilled with a disinfectant solution and poured into containers for seedlings.

Plastic containers with a retractable bottom or individual cups are suitable for growing cucumbers.

Plants do not welcome transplanting, so it is desirable to reduce the degree of injury to the roots during transplantation. The container is disinfected with a solution of potassium permanganate and filled with soil, leaving 1 cm to the edge of the side.

1-2 seeds are placed in each container. If cucumber seeds were germinated, then tweezers are used so as not to break off the sprouts. Lightly sprinkle with earth, cover the crops with a film and place the containers on a windowsill or other bright place.

Water the soil as the top layer dries, but moderately and with warm water.

As for the temperature indicators for cucumber seedlings, until shoots have appeared, it is necessary to maintain a level of +23 ºC … +28 ºC. After seed germination, the indicator is reduced to +20 ºC … +22 ºC.

Main points of care:

1. Watering with settled warm water 1-2 times a week. When watering, make sure that water does not fall on the leaves of the cucumber. If there are a lot of heating devices in the room, they additionally humidify the air.
2. thinning. When planting 2 or more seeds in one container, leave the most powerful sprout. The rest are cut with scissors so as not to harm the root system of the remaining seedling.
3. Feeding. Until the moment of planting in open ground, 2-3 dressings of seedlings of the “Artist” cucumber are carried out. The first is needed in the phase of the appearance of a real leaf and consists of a set of mineral fertilizers – ammonium nitrate (7 g), potassium sulfate (8 g), superphosphate (15 g).

   

   This amount is dissolved in a bucket of water and a little infusion of bird droppings is added. The second time they prepare food for the cucumber in the phase of the second true leaf, the third time – 14 days after the first feeding. In both cases, a double dose of the components is taken for the same amount of water.

4. Highlighting. It is necessary in the first months of winter, when the seedlings of the “Artist” cucumber do not have enough daylight.
5. Pick. They try not to dive seedlings of pumpkin crops. But if sowing is carried out in a common box, then picking is carried out for plants aged 6-7 days and very carefully.

When 4 true leaves appear on the cucumber seedlings, they are ready for planting in the ground.

Sowing in the ground

When sowing cucumber in open ground, be sure to prepare the soil in advance. They dig, apply mineral fertilizers, remove weeds. According to the description of the “Artist” cucumber variety, when sown in the ground, at first it is required to cover from possible frosts (see photo).

The earth at this time should warm up to +15 ºC, and the air temperature up to +22 ºC. The seeding depth of cucumber seeds is 2 cm and the distance between them is 10 cm.

Landing in the ground and rules of care

The variety of cucumbers “Artist” is considered stress-resistant. Plants quickly adapt to a new place. Naturally, subject to careful transplantation and soil preparation. Basic care consists of:

1. Loosening and weeding ridges. At the same time, they make sure not to touch the root system of cucumbers, which is located close to the surface.
2. Bush tying. According to reviews, Artist f1 cucumbers branch strongly, so they are tied up, as in the photo.

   

   This helps the branches not to tangle and ventilate, and the plant to avoid fungal diseases. At the same time, the side branches of cucumbers are pinched at a height of 0,5 m, and the main stem – at 2 m.

3. Glaze. It is very important to maintain a schedule for watering cucumbers during the period of fruit set and fruiting. Cucumbers are 80% water, and without sufficient watering, the crop will be of poor quality. “Artist” withstands short-term drought, but does not tolerate cold water. Water the bushes under the root with settled warm water.
4. Top dressing. This point must be observed carefully. For the “Artist” variety, nutrition is very important, during the growing season it will be necessary to carry out up to 5 dressings. The first is needed in the phase of the appearance of true leaves. This is when sowing cucumber seeds immediately into the ground. Composition, as when feeding seedlings. Then the compositions alternate – mineral ones are replaced by organic ones. The variety of cucumbers responds well to feeding with infusions of bird droppings or mullein, adding ashes to the ridges. According to summer residents, foliar feeding of Artist cucumbers with Terraflex, Plantafol, Isabion, Megafol preparations gives a good effect (see photo)

   

5. Bush formation, especially in a greenhouse. The plant is formed into one stem with pinching the top. This makes it possible to regulate the growth and fruit formation on the lashes of cucumbers.
6. Timely harvest. An important point for culture. If you are late with the collection of fruits, then the yield of cucumbers will decrease significantly.

Reviews

A great help to novice farmers is provided by photos of “Artist” cucumbers, a description of the variety and reviews of experienced summer residents.

Useful video for vegetable growers: