Among the wide variety of hybrids of Dutch selection, there is one interesting specimen - cucumber Alex f1. In 2007, it was included in the state register of plants of the Russian Federation for cultivation in closed and open ground in all regions of the Russian Federation.
Characteristics of the variety
An early-ripening parthenocarpic hybrid that does not require pollination by bees. Flowering type: female. It takes 40 days from the first shoots to harvest. Plants are indeterminate, medium-sized and wiry. From 1 to 3 cucumbers are formed in the leaf axils.
Description of the fruit: finely lumpy green in color; when gherkins are harvested, they reach a size of 70–90 grams, with a size of 9–11 centimeters.Short yellow stripes and dense pubescence are visible on the surface.
Zelentsy are dense, there are no voids when cut. The seeds are small, the taste is sweet cucumber without bitterness. The yield is about 5 kilograms per 1 square meter of cucumber planting with proper care.
The variety is intended for universal use. Suitable for fresh consumption and pickling. They are not resistant to overgrowth. When harvested, 94% of the fruit retains its presentation.
Positive qualities of cucumber Alex
When growing the variety in their garden plots, gardeners noted the following positive qualities of the bush and fruits:
- early ripeness;
- high yield;
- excellent taste;
- resistance to many diseases;
- good commercial quality;
- versatility in use.
Such results can be achieved if you grow cucumbers according to the rules for caring for plants.
Sowing seeds
Since the seeds undergo pre-sale preparation and processing, they do not need to be soaked before sowing. Cucumbers of the Alex f1 variety are grown by planting seeds in beds and germinating seedlings.
In the first case, you need to make sure that there is no frost after sowing the seeds. If you need to get the harvest earlier, then the seeds are planted at home as seedlings, and then, when good weather arrives, they are transplanted to a permanent place of growth. With this growing method, the crop ripens two weeks earlier than expected.
Before sowing seeds, the soil must be disinfected once by watering the bed with boiling water with the addition of potassium permanganate, and then covered with film for a week. Only after these manipulations can you be sure of the safety of the plants.
Growing cucumbers
Alex is grown in the same way as other varieties; no special measures are required. Characteristics of caring for cucumber plants:
- watering;
- weeding;
- fertilizer;
- timely harvesting of fruits.
Watering is carried out at the root; late blight can be caused in a greenhouse if you pour water on the leaves of the plant. In beds when grown horizontally, watering at the root is problematic, so they pour water from a watering can onto the entire bush. Only the procedure should be carried out in the early morning or late evening, when the sun is not shining. Otherwise, the plants will get sunburn and die.
Weeding is done as the grass grows; this procedure is also important to perform. If there is a lot of grass on the cucumbers, then all the nutrients will go into the weeds, leaving no food for the cucumbers.
Fertilizing is carried out to saturate the soil, and then the plants, with minerals. Without nutrition, plants will grow poorly and produce a meager harvest. Typically, fertilizing is done three times per season with mineral and organic fertilizers:
- The first time after the seedlings reach two weeks of age.
- The second time is when the cucumbers bloom and form ovaries.
- The third time, when the fruits ripen.
The most popular types of organic fertilizers:
- humus;
- chicken or cow manure;
- compost.
These fertilizers feed the soil for better plant growth. It is important not to overfeed the soil; if the concentration is high, the soil will burn out and nothing will grow on it for several years.
Mineral fertilizers used for fertilizing:
- urea;
- superphosphate;
- ammonium nitrate;
- ammophos;
- potassium salt.
These fertilizers are used to fertilize the soil and pour the diluted mixture onto the bushes using a sprayer.
Thanks to its qualities, the Alex cucumber receives positive reviews from all over Russia. Here's one of them.
Tamara Vladimirovna: “I have been growing the Alex variety since its birth, the taste has not changed. It grows well both in the garden and in the greenhouse. The harvest is always good, the fruits are all the same, beautiful. I advise everyone to try Alex’s cucumber, you won’t regret it.”
