Cucumbers Early bird F1: variety description, photo, reviews of gardeners

Cucumber Early bird is a hybrid with a very high yield (up to 14 kg per square meter) and excellent taste. Fruits of universal purpose, suitable for salting, pickling, they are consumed fresh. Ripen 1,5 months after germination.

History of origin

Cucumber Early Bird is a hybrid of the first generation (denoted by F1), bred by a team of breeders (Skachko V.A., Borisov A.V., Sayapina K.Yu., Krylov O.N. and others) on the basis of the seed company “Manul” ( Mytishchi, Moscow region). The culture was included in the register of breeding achievements in 2015.

Cucumber adapts well to different weather conditions, due to which it is approved for cultivation in most regions:

• middle lane;
• the Volga region;
• Chernozem region;
• southern regions;
• Northwest;
• The Urals;
• Western and Eastern Siberia;
• Far East.

Description of cucumbers Early Bird

Cucumbers of this variety are indeterminate – the bushes grow throughout the season. The stem gives several branches, flowering type: female. Each node has two or three small flowers of a typical yellow color. The leaves are small, deep green. The fruits are short, cylindrical, green in color. The surface is medium-tuberous, there are thorns.

Zelentsy early bird have excellent taste, juicy pulp. Suitable for fresh consumption and for various preparations (salting, pickling). A variety of salad – can be used to prepare various vegetable snacks.

Characteristics of cucumbers Early Bird

Early bird cucumbers are cold-resistant, while they are recommended to be grown in greenhouses and under film shelters, with the exception of the southern regions, where planting seeds or seedlings in open ground is allowed. The hybrid is resistant to many diseases, gives a stable crop. It was for this that many summer residents managed to appreciate him.

Cucumber yield Early Bird

The yield index for cucumbers is very high. If grown in film greenhouses, then at an average planting density, 14 kg can be removed from one square meter.

The first harvest can be harvested within a month after germination.

In terms of maturation, the hybrid belongs to early ripening (early). The first early bird cucumbers are ready to eat within 35-40 days after germination. Fruiting goes amicably, which facilitates harvesting. Two waves can be distinguished – the first is abundant and the second is residual (at this moment, greens appear mainly on lateral shoots).

The shelf life is also good – you can keep it in the refrigerator for about two weeks. Since the harvest is plentiful, you should immediately prepare containers for preservation.

Disease and pest resistance

The early bird, like many other hybrid cucumbers, has good resistance to a number of diseases:

• cucumber mosaic;
• cladosporiosis;
• powdery mildew;
• peronosporosis.

However, early bird cucumbers can suffer from late blight and fusarium. Often, diseases are associated with improper pre-sowing preparation and excessive moisture. Therefore, the seeds should be treated on the eve of planting (if the manufacturer did not do this), and watering should not be abused.

In summer, crops can suffer from whiteflies, aphids and other pests. Therefore, planting cucumbers early bird should be periodically inspected. If necessary, they are processed using folk remedies (infusion of garlic, onion peel, mustard powder, tobacco dust, wood ash). In extreme cases, use “Decis”, “Ephoria”, “Inta-Vir” and other chemicals.

Advantages and disadvantages

Despite the fact that the early bird hybrid was bred several years ago, it has already managed to spread among summer residents. These cucumbers are valued for their excellent taste and good yield. Fruits of “convenient” size, suitable for conservation. Therefore, reviews about the culture are mostly positive, it is recommended for growing more than 80% of gardeners.

The average length of the fruits of the Early Bird is 8–10 cm

Pros:

• excellent taste;
• high yield;
• early ripening;
• friendly fruiting;
• cucumbers are not prone to overgrowing;
• hybrid self-pollinated;
• resistance to adverse weather conditions;
• can be grown in most regions;
• attractive presentation;
• immunity to a number of diseases.

Cons:

• prone to late blight and fusarium;
• may suffer from whiteflies, aphids;
• cultivation mainly under film or in a greenhouse;
• planting material has to be bought every year, since it is a hybrid.

Peculiarities of growing

Cucumber seeds Early Bird are planted mainly for seedlings. But due to the early ripening in most regions, direct sowing in a greenhouse or under a film is also possible. Terms depend on the method of cultivation and on the climatic features of the area:

1. For seedlings, seeds are sown in the first half of April.
2. Cucumber seedlings Early bird are transferred to the greenhouse in mid-May, 25 days after germination.
3. Sowing seeds in the greenhouse falls on the first days of May.
4. Sowing under film shelter – mid or second half of May.

Sowing in open ground

It is allowed to plant seeds of cucumbers under a film or in a greenhouse. At the same time, the soil and air should warm up to at least 15 degrees (at night not lower than 10 degrees). You can check this by burying the thermometer to a depth of 10 cm and holding it there for 10-15 minutes.

When preparing cucumber seeds for planting, they need to be held for two hours in a fungicide solution, then put overnight in a growth stimulator (Baikal, Agat, Epin or other means). For growing seedlings, use universal soil or garden soil with peat, compost and sand (2: 1: 1: 1).

The algorithm for planting cucumber seeds is as follows:

1. Level the surface of the bed.
2. Dig several holes 3 cm deep. Maintain an interval of 30–40 cm between them.
3. Plant two seeds in each hole.
4. Cover with foil with holes.
5. After a few days, remove the weak seedling, leaving one seedling in each hole.
6. Feed with complex fertilizer, for example, “Kemira”.
7. Water periodically to keep the surface layer of soil always moderately moist.

Planting seedlings

Cucumber seedlings are grown in plastic or peat pots. It is allowed to do this in a common container, but in this case you will need a pick after the appearance of two true leaves.

Seedlings are best grown in separate cups.

Technology for planting and caring for cucumber seedlings Standard early bird:

1. Plant two seeds at a depth of 3 cm.
2. Pour from a spray bottle.
3. Cover with foil.
4. Put in a warm place (temperature 24-26 degrees).
5. After germination, remove the film.
6. Feed cucumbers Early bird “Mortar”, “Kemira” or other complex fertilizer.
7. Start tempering two weeks before transplantation.
8. Transfer to the greenhouse in mid-May (planting according to the scheme 30 * 50 cm).

Care instructions

Cucumber care Early bird standard. To get a good harvest, it is necessary to water the bushes, fertilize, form bushes. The main actions are:

1. Watering is done at least twice a week, while trying not to flood the soil. Water must be settled. It should be poured only under the root, avoiding getting on the leaves, stems and flowers of cucumbers.
2. Top dressing is applied every 10 days (3-4 times for the entire period). It is advisable to alternate complex mineral fertilizers (dosage according to the instructions) with organic matter (mullein 1:10, litter 1:20, infusion of cut grass).
3. Early bird cucumber bushes are not very tall, but they should be tied up to a low trellis, guiding growth upwards. All lower leaves are cut off.
4. The formation of bushes is very simple: all shoots, including side shoots, are left, since they will give the second wave of the crop.
5. Loosening the soil is carried out after watering. Periodically do weeding.
6. As a protection against pests and to maintain a normal microclimate, you need to lay a layer of mulch, as well as spud bushes, forming small earthen ridges.

Bushes need to be tied to the trellis

Conclusion

Cucumber early bird are early ripe. Therefore, the culture can be grown not only by seedlings, but also by direct sowing into the ground. Fruiting is friendly, and the yield is very high. Thanks to this, it will be possible to get a lot of cucumbers even in a cool summer.

Gardeners reviews about cucumbers Early bird