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Cucumber Dolomit is an early ripe hybrid of high yield. Gherkin-type fruits are excellent for pickling and pickling. They ripen in 5-6 weeks, so you can even grow them by direct sowing in the ground. Agricultural technology is simple, while it is worth considering that the culture needs enhanced watering.
History of occurrence
Cucumber Dolomit is a hybrid of the first generation (F1), obtained on the basis of the Dutch agricultural company Nenhems BV The author of the variety is Andreas Gertz. Recommended for cultivation in closed ground (greenhouses, greenhouses), as well as in open beds. Not included in the register of breeding achievements. At the same time, the hybrid has spread to almost all regions.
Description of cucumbers Dolomit F1
The bush of Dolomite cucumbers is open, moderately branched, of medium vigor. The leaves are deep green, medium in size. Indeterminate bushes – grow without restrictions throughout the season.
Dolomite cucumbers have a regular cylindrical shape, a surface with small tubercles, slightly ribbed. The mass of greens is on average from 80 to 100 g. The crop is harvested in the form of mini-gherkins – pickles (3-5 cm long) and classic gherkins (5-8, often up to 10-12 cm). The skin is thin. On the surface there are white stripes up to half of the fruit. The spikes are light, there is a layer of pubescence.
The pulp of Dolomit cucumbers is not bitter, crispy, and has a pleasant sweetness. The fruits are juicy, used fresh, excellent for canning in the form of pickles and pickling.
Characteristics of Dolomit cucumbers
Like many other hybrids, Dolomit cucumbers are distinguished by good resistance to adverse weather conditions, many diseases and pests. The variety quickly recovers from drought, even if watering was irregular, rarely suffers from infections. Bloom type: female. The hybrid does not need pollination, so it can be grown in closed greenhouses.
Cucumber yield Dolomit
Cucumbers of the Dolomit variety are quite productive – at a normal planting density from 1 m2 get 5-6 kg of fruit. Accordingly, 500-600 kg can be collected from each hundred square meters. The fruits are transportable – after harvesting, they can be transported to the place of sale or processing.
The yield of Dolomit cucumbers reaches 6 kg per square meter
Ripening and flowering time
Dolomit cucumbers are early hybrids – 38-40 days pass from the moment of emergence of seedlings to the state of technical ripeness. Therefore, the variety can be grown not only by seedlings, but also by direct sowing in the ground. Flowering occurs at the end of May – the first half of June.
Disease and pest resistance
Hybrid Dolomite is characterized by good resistance to major diseases:
- cucumber mosaic virus;
- olive blotch;
- powdery mildew.
With proper care, the culture is rarely affected by insects. If watering is excessive, the greens may rot (especially if greenhouses are rarely ventilated). Therefore, you need to monitor the volume of water, periodically inspect the plantings. If aphids, spider mites and other pests are found, they are treated with infusion of wood ash, tobacco dust, garlic cloves, mustard powder and other folk remedies.
If there are too many insects, you need to spray a solution of any of the products once: Inta-Vir, Match, Biotlin, Aktara, Confidor, Vertimek.
Advantages and disadvantages
The Dolomite variety is valued by summer residents for its very good taste, pleasant pulp texture. This is one of the rare varieties of cucumbers that have a pleasant sweet note. Caring for the culture is simple, which is especially important for beginner gardeners.
The undoubted advantage of the Dolomite hybrid is the pleasant taste and presentation of cucumbers.
Pros:
- stable and high yield;
- early ripeness (only 1,5 months);
- drought resistance;
- transportability;
- simple agricultural technology;
- pollinators are not required;
- excellent option for salting and pickling;
- immunity to many diseases.
Cons:
- seeds have to be constantly bought, because it is a hybrid.
Planting Dolomite Cucumbers
Since Dolomit cucumbers are early maturing varieties, they can be grown by direct sowing in the ground, even in regions with a short summer. If you plan to get an early harvest, planting seedlings is also allowed.
Seedbed method
Seeds are sown 21-25 days before transplanting into open ground. Dates depend on climatic conditions.
Region | Seeding for seedlings | Transplant into the ground |
Middle band | Second decade of April | Mid may |
South | Early April | Last days of April |
Ural, Northwest | End of april | The third ten days of May |
Siberia, Far East | First half of May | 1-10 June |
Dolomit cucumber seedlings are grown in the traditional way. The soil can be purchased at the store or use a soil mixture of garden soil with humus, sand and peat (2: 1: 1: 1). As a natural fertilizer, you can add a few pinches of wood ash. A few weeks before planting, the ground is put in a freezer or sterilized in an oven for 15–20 minutes (temperature 150 degrees).
Since the dive (transplantation) of seedlings of Dolomit variety cucumbers is poorly tolerated, it is better to plant the seeds immediately in individual containers – optimally in peat pots. Germination is very high (over 90%), so you can plant one grain at a time.
Growing instructions are standard:
- Four hours before planting, put the seeds in a weak solution of a growth stimulator, for example, Epin, Kornevin.
- Plant the seeds at a depth of 1-1,5 cm.
- Sprinkle with soil and moisten with a spray bottle.
- Cover with glass or film with small holes.
- Put in a warm place (25-27 degrees).
- After germination, remove the film, the temperature can be slightly lowered.
- A week before transplanting, harden seedlings of Dolomite cucumbers. To do this, they are periodically taken out to the street or to the balcony.
The best way to grow seedlings is in peat pots
Sowing in open ground
The timing of planting seeds in open ground in most cases falls on the second half of May. At this point, the soil should warm up to at least 12 degrees, which is easy to check by burying a thermometer in the ground for 10 minutes. Dolomit cucumber seeds are prepared in the same way, and sowing is carried out in grooves 2 cm deep.
The distance between rows should be 50 cm, and between adjacent plants – 40 cm. Per 1 m2 freely place 3-4 seedlings. At first, it is better to cover with a film and water regularly. This is especially important if, according to the forecast, there will be cool days in May.
If the soil is heavy, 1 kg of sawdust or sand is embedded in it for the same area.
Cucumber care Dolomit
Agrotechnics for growing Dolomite cucumbers is standard. Summer residents advise regularly watering seedlings, especially during the first week. Water is given at least twice a week, in the heat – three times, making sure that the soil does not erode due to excess moisture.
After watering, it is necessary to loosen the soil to a depth of 4 cm. At the same time, weeding is carried out, since weeds reduce productivity. To prevent their occurrence, you can mulch plantings with straw, sawdust and other natural materials.
Top dressing is applied regularly – up to six times per season with a frequency of 10 days. You can use organic and complex mineral supplements. If there is no litter or mullein, analogues are used: “Ideal”, “Fertility” and other compounds.
How to get a big harvest from Dolomite cucumbers
The largest crop of Dolomit cucumbers can be obtained when grown in a greenhouse. Along with this, you can use other methods:
- It is better to water cucumbers regularly. Water is taken not cold, but previously settled.
- In order to prevent waterlogging, you should not only observe the watering rate, but also ventilate the greenhouse, especially in the heat.
- Feeding is done every 10 days. At the same time, too much nitrogen cannot be used – otherwise the Dolomit cucumber bush will go green. It is better to use complex, balanced formulations.
- When growing, you need to pinch the main stem, stimulating the growth of side shoots.
- As soon as the whip grows to 40–50 cm, a garter is made.
- It is also periodically recommended to harvest Dolomit cucumbers, preventing the fruits from overgrowing.
Growing cucumbers in a greenhouse, you can achieve high yields
Conclusion
Cucumber Dolomite is one of the best hybrids. It is easy to grow, gives a stable harvest and practically does not suffer from diseases. The variety does not need pollinators. Care is quite simple – both experienced summer residents and novice amateurs can handle it.
Reviews of gardeners about cucumbers Dolomit F1
