The April cucumber f1 has been in the top of the best hybrids for several decades and is not going to lose ground. Vegetable growers began getting acquainted with this variety back in 1977. The April F1 was quickly tested not only in greenhouses and beds, but also on the balconies of our country. Thanks to the weakly branched bush and general unpretentiousness, cucumbers feel great in pots on loggias and window sills, delighting with a decent harvest.
Currently, the seeds of the April f1 hybrid are grown and sold by most well-known agricultural companies in our country: “Gavrish”, “Manul”, “Altai Seeds”, “Demetra-Siberia” and others. Manufacturers give the following description of the variety:
- parthenocarpic (does not require pollination by bees);
- early ripening (45-50 days);
- universal - suitable for open and protected ground, growing on the balcony;
- high-yielding;
- medium-climbing bush;
- medium-sized cucumbers (length 15-25 cm, weight 200-250 g);
- does not overripe;
- tasty, juicy, without bitterness;
- resistant to diseases;
- friendly return of the harvest.
Growing
The April f1 cucumber variety was bred by breeders for cultivation in greenhouses. But over time, it was successfully tested in open ground and as a potted crop on the balcony. Reviews from vegetable growers about this variety of cucumbers are always the most positive. The parthenocarpic properties inherent in the hybrid allow plants to establish an ovary without the participation of insects. But it was noticed that with free access to bees, the yield of the April f1 variety improves significantly.
Seedling
April f1 cucumber is sown for seedlings about a month before stable heat is installed above +16-17 ℃. During this time, the bushes will have time to form 4-5 true leaves and a fairly powerful root. To do this, you need separate containers with a volume of at least 400 ml. It was noticed that growing April f1 cucumbers in smaller containers negatively affects the development of the root system and the plant as a whole.
The soil mixture is prepared from rotted manure, compost and peat with an admixture of wood ash.
To avoid many unwanted diseases, cucumber seeds are kept in a 1% manganese solution for half an hour. Then they are washed under running water and germinated for 1-2 days in a warm place on a damp cloth.
The seeds of the April f1 hybrid are buried 2-3 cm into the soil and watered with warm water. Before sprouting, it is better to cover the containers with film and maintain a temperature of 24-25 ℃.Then the film is removed and the temperature is reduced to 20-21 ℃.
Temperature
Cucumbers came to us from tropical rainforests, so caring for this crop is aimed at bringing conditions closer to natural ones. The temperature there almost always stays between 24-28 ℃. Therefore, cucumbers practically stop developing at +15℃, and die at temperatures below +10℃.
Seedlings should be planted in open ground no earlier than stable warm weather, and the seedlings must be covered with film.
The April f1 hybrid has some tolerance to changes in weather conditions. Already at 20-22 ℃ it is able to develop and bear fruit, and briefly tolerate drops to +16-17 ℃. At lower temperatures, it is better to grow April f1 cucumbers in protected ground.
Soil and fertilizing
The soil should always be moist, warm, light and maximally saturated with humus. Rotted leaves, sawdust, humus, compost, crushed peat mixed with garden topsoil and sand will create a familiar environment for cucumbers. Organic matter must be supplemented with mineral additives: ash 200 g per 1 m², complex granular fertilizers according to the instructions. Root depth of cucumbers small, so 30 cm of such soil mixture is enough.
Every 10-14 days the hybrid needs feeding. April responds well to alternating organic (infusion of mullein or bird droppings) and mineral fertilizers.
Bush formation
Hybrid April f1 can be grown without forming a bush, since the breeders have genetically weak branching. But to get the maximum possible harvest of cucumbers, it is better to tie the plants to trellises and form them in the form of an inverted Christmas tree.
The base of the hybrid bush should be sparsely leafed and without side shoots up to 5-6 leaves. This will ensure that the cucumbers are planted with normal ventilation and will protect against fungal diseases. The first inflorescences up to the sixth internode are removed, allowing the plant to take root and grow normally.
Next, the side shoots are pinched, first after 2 leaves, the next after 3-4. When the main branches of the April cucumbers reach the top of the trellis, they are secured and the growing point is cut off. Thus, you should get a powerful, unthickened bush that can withstand the difficult fruits of April.
It is better not to plant more than 3-4 plants per 1 m².
Watering
Cucumbers are sensitive to sudden changes in soil moisture, since the root system of the plants is on the surface and dries out very quickly.
A thick layer of mulch helps to avoid rapid evaporation of water and creates the necessary microclimate and aeration of the top layer. Chopped straw, rotted sawdust, and peat dust are suitable for this procedure.
Although cucumbers are a moisture-loving crop, watering depends on weather conditions. On cool rainy days, if you overdo it with watering, you can cause the plants to rot.
Important!
It is especially important to prevent overcooling of the root system of the bushes and use only warm water 23-24 ℃. On hot days, watering cucumbers is increased to 1-2 times a day, and it is even better to establish constant drip irrigation.
Pests and diseases
The general characteristics from seed producers indicate that the breeders included resistance to common diseases of this crop in the April f1 cucumber variety:
- cucumber mosaic virus;
- olive spot;
- tolerant to root rot;
- peronosporosis.
Infection of cucumbers with other diseases and pests can be prevented by using proper crop rotation and clearing the area of weeds and plant debris.
Important!
Do not plant plants from the pumpkin family in the same place for two years in a row..
April f1 cucumbers feel great in beds after cabbage, legumes, root vegetables, and herbs.
In greenhouses, when growing this crop annually, you will have to replace the soil and treat the entire interior of the structure with an antiseptic.
Harvest
Already 45-50 days after germination, April f1 will allow you to take the first sample of crispy cucumbers. The harvest ripens quickly, giving vegetable growers 7-12 kg per 1 m² in the first month. Even hybrid bushes grown on the balcony experience stable fruiting throughout the season. April f1 cucumbers do not ripen for a long time, patiently waiting in the wings.
The greens grow slightly spiky, large-tubercular, rich green in color with light stripes from the inflorescence. The pulp is tender, aromatic, without bitterness. The fruits of April f1 cucumbers are quite large, 15-20 cm, but smooth and fit well into a jar entirely when canned. In fresh salads, April cucumbers are also always at their best.