Eggplant Nutcracker F1

Eggplant has long been included in the list of the most popular crops for growing in summer cottages. If ten years ago it was quite easy to choose a variety, now it is more problematic. Breeders constantly offer vegetable growers new, improved hybrids and varieties of eggplant, which bear excellent fruit even in the Northern regions.

Eggplant “Nutcracker F1” is worthy of the attention of gardeners. In a very short time, the hybrid has gained popularity due to its characteristics. Consider the features of growing eggplant seedlings “Nutcracker F1”, as well as the agrotechnical requirements of the plant. To do this, let’s get acquainted with the description of the variety and photo of the Nutcracker F1 eggplant.

Description and characteristics

For eggplant, summer residents have their own requirements. The variety needs a high-yielding and universal use. Both useful characteristics are fully expressed in the Nutcracker F1 hybrid, which explains its popularity. After all, you can’t call culture completely unpretentious. If you grow eggplants from seeds yourself, you will have to spend more time and effort. To get to know the hybrid better, let’s start with a description of the parameters of the plant:

1. Ripening period – early ripening.
2. The height of the bush depends on the growing conditions. In the open field, the Nutcracker F1 eggplant grows no more than 1 m, and in the greenhouse it can reach a size of 1,5 m and above. The plant is semi-spreading, requires a feeding area of ​​​​at least 1,2 square meters. m.
3. The leaves are quite large, almost regular round in shape and a beautiful dark green hue.

   

4. Forms a lot of ovaries, which contributes to long-term fruiting.
5. The fruits are spherical and pear-shaped, 14-15 cm long with a glossy surface. The weight of one eggplant is 240-250 g. Record holders reach a weight of 750 g.
6. The taste is without bitterness, the flesh of the fruit is white.
7. The seeds are very small and you will have to buy them annually, the Nutcracker F1 eggplant is a hybrid.
8. Productivity from 1 square. m area is 20 kg of marketable fruits. The norm from one bush is 5 kg, with proper care it rises to 8 kg.
9. Regular and long fruiting.
10. Perfectly tolerates transportation, even over long distances.
11. Lightness is increased. During storage, the skin and pulp retain elasticity.
12. Universal use. According to culinary experts, Nutcracker F1 eggplant is suitable for cooking first and second courses, appetizers, salads, canning and freezing.

And the reviews of vegetable growers indicate that the result is fully consistent with the description of the Nutcracker F1 eggplant variety.

Growing methods

Eggplant is a culture that requires increased attention. They have a long growing season, so the method of cultivation directly depends on the climatic conditions of the region. If the summer is short, then the difficulty increases. Grow eggplant in two ways:

• reckless;
• seedlings.

The first will be justified only in the southern regions with stable weather. In other regions, it will be more reliable to grow eggplant seedlings, and then transplant the plants to a permanent place. Some gardeners prefer open ground, others prefer a greenhouse. What influences the choice of soil? At the time of sowing seeds and planting seedlings. If the Nutcracker F1 f1 eggplant is planned to be grown in a greenhouse, then the planting dates will be earlier than for open ground. The agrotechnical requirements of the “Nutcracker F1a” in both cases are almost identical, only the greenhouse version requires careful maintenance of temperature and humidity.

Growing seedlings

The seedling method is considered the most acceptable for growing eggplants in Our Country. Nutcracker F1 eggplant is no exception. The hybrid takes root well and gives the crop on time if the sowing dates are not violated. It is the calculation of the timing that plays an important role in the cultivation of eggplant seedlings “The Nutcracker F1”. If the seedlings sprout too early, then by the time they are planted in the ground, they will stretch out, which will negatively affect the further development of plants. If you are late, then the Nutcracker F1a seedlings will have to be planted later. Accordingly, the yield will be lower or the fruits will not reach the desired ripeness by the time of harvesting.

Date of sowing seeds

According to the description of the Nutcracker F1 eggplant variety, seedlings are planted in a permanent place at the age of 65-70 days. It takes another week before the first shoots appear. Total 75-80 days. It is better to plant seedlings in open ground no earlier than mid-June, in the southern regions and in the greenhouse – in the second half of May. Previously, seedlings should not be transferred to a permanent place. Eggplant hybrid “Nutcracker F1” loves light and warmth. At air temperatures below + 20 ° C, pollination of flowers does not occur and fruits do not set on the bushes. Below + 15 ° С, already formed buds and ovaries fall off. Therefore, it is undesirable to hurry with the transfer of plants to the ground.

Tentatively determine the day of planting seedlings “Nutcracker F1a” using:

• recommendations of the lunar sowing calendar;
• weather forecast for the current year in the region (soil temperature not less than +20°С);
• growing conditions (closed or open ground).

Subtract 80 days from the received date and the day of sowing seeds of the variety is determined. The date is in the range from mid-February to the first decade of March. Of course, this is not the only condition. The further state of seedlings “Nutcracker F1a” depends on the quality of care.

Preplant seed preparation

First, eggplant seeds of the Nutcracker F1 variety are selected for sowing. All material prepared for sowing is soaked in water at room temperature. It is better to appoint this operation 3-5 days before the sowing date in order to have time to carry out all the preparatory work. Eggplant seeds that float to the surface are removed. Only those that have sunk in the water are left for sowing.

Selected suitable eggplant seeds “Nutcracker F1” are wrapped in damp gauze or cloth before sowing. The fabric is kept moist at all times. It is very good to use a biostimulant solution instead of pure water – potassium humate, “Zircon” or “Epin”.

The second preparation option that vegetable growers use is to change temperatures. For 7 days, the planting material is kept in the light during the day, and placed in the refrigerator at night.

Soil and container preparation

Eggplant seedlings “Nutcracker F1” need to prepare fertile high-quality soil. Many summer residents use ready-made soil for seedlings of vegetables, which they purchase in specialized stores. But, the majority of farmers prepare the soil mixture on their own. A common and well-established option:

• humus – 4 parts;
• sod land – 2 parts;
• river sand – 1 part.

Mix the ingredients and bake in the oven. Additionally, pour the mixture with a strong solution of potassium permanganate and freeze. Such careful preparation is necessary to protect the Nutcracker F1 eggplant seedlings from pathogenic bacteria and pest larvae in the ground.

The containers are chosen taking into account the fact that the seedlings will have to be transplanted. Therefore, it is good to use peat cups or plastic containers with a retractable bottom. This will save the roots of the Nutcracker F1a seedlings from injury. Rinse the container with a solution of potassium permanganate, dry and then fill with soil. Be sure to lay a layer of drainage on the bottom of the dishes.

Seed sowing

Moisten the soil with a spray gun, make recesses in which to place the seeds of the Nutcracker F1 eggplant. Before sowing, soak the seeds for 15 minutes in a fungicide solution for disinfection. Any of the drugs is suitable – Fitosporin-M, Ridomil-Gold, Trichodermin.

Deepen eggplant seeds no more than 1,5 cm and sprinkle with earth. Cover the container with polyethylene and set aside until shoots appear. During this time, you need to slightly open the crops and moisten the soil as needed.

Care of seedlings

As soon as the first sprouts are noticed, they remove the film and transfer the eggplant seedlings “The Nutcracker F1” closer to light and heat.

Optimally – a window sill. After a week, seedlings dive into separate pots if the seeds were sown in a common box.

When the first shoots of the Nutcracker F1 eggplant appear, the boxes are placed on a well-lit window sill, in heat. If sowing was carried out in a common container, the seedlings are picked – the sprouts are planted in separate small pots. At the same time, they make sure that the roots are not exposed, it is better to move the Nutcracker F1 eggplant seedling with an earthy clod. The plant is deepened to cotyledon leaves.

Further care for the seedlings of the Nutcracker F1 hybrid is to create optimal conditions for the development of plants. Necessary:

1. Track the length of daylight hours for seedlings. It should be 12-14 hours. This is a prerequisite so that the Nutcracker F1 eggplant sprouts are not pale and thin. Illuminate seedlings with special lamps.
2. Maintain temperature within a certain range. The first 7 days you need to provide seedlings “Nutcracker F1a” + 17 ° C, then raise to + 26 ° C during the day and + 16 ° C at night.
3. Properly water eggplant seedlings “The Nutcracker F1”. Water for watering seedlings is taken at room temperature. Water the seedlings regularly, but without waterlogging. It is best to water the seedlings in the morning. To ensure the drainage of excess water, the containers are placed on pallets.
4. Feed at the same time as watering. The first time you need to feed eggplant seedlings “Nutcracker F1” a week after transplantation. Organic substances are optimally suited – humus, mullein infusion. In the absence of organics, you can take the preparations “Mortar” or “Kemira-Lux” and apply according to the instructions.

When eggplant seedlings reach a height of 15-20 cm and have 6 true leaves, you can start planting at a permanent place of cultivation. All about eggplant seedlings:

Landing in the ground and caring for plants

The eggplant bed “Nutcracker F1” must be prepared in advance. The earth is fertilized, dug up. In the greenhouse, they are additionally treated with a hot solution of potassium permanganate. 2 weeks before the scheduled planting date, wood ash is added (1 liter of powder per 1 running meter).

Wells for plants are located at a distance of 60 cm or more from each other. In the greenhouse, it is better to plant the Nutcracker F1 hybrid in a checkerboard pattern. This is due to the structure of the bush. Eggplant “Nutcracker F1” has a spreading bush that needs enough space.

Plants are watered one hour before transplanting. Planted with deepening to cotyledon leaves and watered. It is good to immediately mulch the soil with humus or peat. More about planting seedlings:

Among eggplants, the Nutcracker F1 hybrid is less demanding than other varieties.

Plant care requires compliance with certain requirements:

1. Regular weeding and loosening of ridges. To reduce the number of weeds, the soil is covered with mulch. If it is noticed that the Nutcracker F1a roots are exposed, a layer of mulch is added. And loosen at least 1 time in 2 weeks. It is important to do this carefully so as not to damage the roots.
2. Watering. After planting in the ground, the seedlings are not watered for a week. The Nutcracker F1 loves water, but in moderation. If waterlogging is allowed, then the plants are affected by root rot. When growing in a greenhouse, it is necessary to regularly ventilate the room. Most of all, the Nutcracker F1 eggplant requires watering during the ripening period. If it is very hot, watering is repeated after 2-3 days. At normal temperatures, it is enough to moisten the plants in the evening once a week. Sprinkling for eggplant “Nutcracker F1” is contraindicated, drip irrigation would be ideal.
3. Feeding. The hybrid has a high yield, so top dressing should be done regularly. The first time the plants need food is 2 weeks after planting. It must contain nitrogen. Nitrogen is not added to the following top dressing, but potassium and phosphorus are added more. Top dressing is repeated with regularity once every 3 weeks. Complex fertilizers (“Master”, “Agricola”, “Hera”, “Novofert”) and folk compositions are well suited for this purpose. For top dressing, infusions of wood ash, nettle, bird droppings and mullein are used. If you want to feed the bushes on a sheet, then you can do this no more than 1 time per month.
4. Garter and shaping. Eggplant varieties “Nutcracker F1” require the formation of a bush. So that the fruits do not lie on the ground, the plant is tied to supports at 2-3 points. At a bush height of 35 cm, pinch the top. Then, 3-4 of the most powerful are selected from the side shoots, the rest are cut off to the point of growth. Some growers form a bush into one stem. This technique is best done in a greenhouse.
5. Removal of dry leaves and faded flowers necessary to prevent the spread of gray mold.
6. Bush load regulation. At the same time, 1-5 fruits are left to ripen on one eggplant plant “Nutcracker F6”.

If this is not done, then the crop will consist only of small eggplants.

Treatment for diseases and pests. According to vegetable growers, late blight, tobacco mosaic and root rot are dangerous for the Nutcracker F1 f1 eggplant. Of the pests – aphids and whiteflies. The most effective way to fight is prevention. It consists of observing crop rotation and accurately following the requirements of agricultural technology, from seed selection to harvest. This includes the distance between the bushes, formation, watering, lighting, treatment with drugs for the purpose of prevention.

If the disease could not be avoided, then the treatment is carried out no later than 20 days before harvesting.

Reviews

You can learn more about the Nutcracker F1 eggplant from the reviews of summer residents.