Cucumbers Aquarius: reviews, photos, characteristics

Cucumber Aquarius is a non-hybrid variety bred by breeders of the All- 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 Caucasus region.

Description of the Aquarius cucumber variety

Cucumber Aquarius belongs to the determinant half-bolt type. It reaches a height of 1 m, then growth stops. The variety is early ripe, 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. Extra and subsequent as the growing season is removed. The plant is not densely leafy, open type. Cucumber Aquarius belongs to the varieties of a new generation, created for cultivation in open ground, cultivation in a greenhouse is possible. Low crops for growing in a protected area are unprofitable.

The Aquarius cucumber variety does not belong to parthenocarpic hybrids, this is another reason why it is difficult to grow a crop in a greenhouse. The plant forms flowers of different sexes, insect pollinators are needed for fruiting.

External description of Aquarius cucumbers shown in the photo:

1. Shoots of the first order of medium thickness, pubescence is intense, the pile is long, prickly. The structure of the shoots is rigid, not brittle, light green with a gray tint. Usage is high.
2. The leaves are large, five-lobed, fixed on long thin petioles. The leaf plate is rough, slightly corrugated, with hard veins. The edges are finely serrated.
3. The root system of the Aquarius cucumber is fibrous, not deepened, and has grown to the sides. The root circle is small – within 25 cm.
4. The variety blooms with single, heterosexual, simple flowers of a bright yellow color. Like all pollinated crops, it has 15% empty flowers. All female flowers produce ovaries.

A varietal feature of cucumber is the uneven ripening of greens. The fruits of the first collection are larger, the latter have a smaller mass. The duration of fruiting is long, the first harvest is carried out in July, the growing season ends at the end of August. The fruits, when biologically ripe, do not increase in size, do not turn yellow, there is no acid in the taste. Changes concern the peel, it becomes more rigid.

Description of Aquarius Cucumber Fruit:

• 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 towards the top with longitudinal light lines to the middle of the fruit;
• tuberosity is rare, the main location is on the lower part, irregularities are rounded, finely pubescent;
• the peel is glossy, without a wax coating, thin, durable;
• the pulp is white, juicy, without voids, the seeds are large in small quantities.

The variety is grown mainly in a summer cottage or personal plot, 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 moisture deficiency, there is no acid after overripe. Fruits of a standard size, suitable for canning as a whole. The peel tolerates thermal processing well. There are no voids in the pulp, the surface after a hot marinade slightly brightens. After cold pickling, cucumbers are elastic, dense, crispy. Cucumbers are consumed fresh, used as a component in assorted vegetables.

Pros and cons of Aquarius cucumber varieties

Variety Aquarius is a relatively young culture, but quite popular among vegetable growers in the Central region of Our Country. 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 picking;
• high gastronomic assessment;
• universal purpose;
• good yield for a medium-sized bush;
• suitable for salting as a whole;
• unpretentious in care.

The minus of the variety can be called the presence of barren flowers and increased demands on watering.

Optimal Growing Conditions

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, taking into account that the cucumber reacts poorly 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 does not respond well to stagnant moisture.

The site is prepared 3 weeks before planting:

1. The bed is dug up.
2. If the soil is acidic, lime or other alkaline agents are added.
3. Remove weeds and roots.
4. Make superphosphate, compost and saltpeter.

Cultivation of Aquarius cucumbers

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. Pre-grown seedlings shorten the growing season before fruiting. When growing seedlings, harvesting begins 2 weeks earlier. The generative method of propagation (planting seeds in the ground) is suitable for regions with a milder climate.

Direct planting in open ground

Before starting work, the planting material of the Aquarius cucumber is wrapped in a damp canvas and placed in the refrigerator for a day. Then disinfection is carried out in a solution of manganese. Placed on the site when the soil has warmed up to +12⁰ C. If there is a risk of frost after growth, the cucumbers are covered. For central Our Country, the approximate landing time is the second half of May.

Sequencing:

1. Holes are made to a depth of 2,5 cm.
2. Three seeds are laid, covered with soil.
3. After the formation of the third leaf, the cucumbers are thinned out, 1 seedling should remain.

Seedling cultivation

Culture does not tolerate transplantation 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, along with the container, the seedling is determined in the hole. Sowing of the material is carried out around mid-April, after 25-30 days the cucumbers are ready for planting in the ground.

Planting Aquarius seeds:

1. A nutritious soil mixture is prepared from equal parts of sand, peat and compost.
2. They fall asleep in containers, planting material is deepened by 1,5 cm, watered.
3. Expose containers with cucumbers in a room with a constant temperature (20–22⁰ C) and good air circulation.
4. 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 top dressing

The irrigation regime depends on seasonal precipitation, the main task is to prevent waterlogging and drying of the soil. Moisturize cucumbers in the evening or in the morning, so as not to provoke the appearance of burns on the leaves.

Top dressing of Aquarius cucumber is necessary for normal development and fruiting:

1. After the formation of shoots of the first order, urea is added.
2. After 21 days, fertilize with potassium, phosphorus, superphosphate.
3. After 2 weeks give organic.
4. During fruiting, cucumbers are fed with nitrogen-containing fertilizers.

After 10 days and until the end of fruiting, mineral fertilizers are applied with an interval 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 stepchildren 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 the top, the variety does not grow above 1 m.

Protection against diseases and pests

Aquarius resists almost all infections well. Anthracnose infection is possible. For preventive purposes, crop rotation is observed, weeds are removed, and cucumber bushes are treated with Trichodermin or copper sulphate in the spring. At the first signs of the disease, colloidal sulfur is used. Only the caterpillar of the Whitefly moth parasitizes on the Aquarius cucumber. Destroy the pest with the insecticide “Commander”.

Productivity

The shade-tolerant, frost-resistant variety of Aquarius cucumbers begins to bear fruit in mid-July. Photosynthesis of a plant does not depend on the degree of illumination and temperature conditions; a sharp decrease in temperature or heat does not affect the yield. The only condition is constant watering. The Aquarius cucumber bush is of medium height, during the fruiting period it produces 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 ripe variety of a 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.

Reviews about cucumbers Aquarius