The Lastochka F1 variety was developed relatively recently, but positive reviews about its characteristics were not long in coming. Compared to the Competitor, Nezhensky, Far Eastern, which many gardeners grow under film and in the garden, the yield of this hybrid is almost 2 times higher.
The first Swallow cucumbers ripen 35 days after pollination and delight with excellent taste and delicate aroma. Fresh fruits are very beneficial for the body, since the liquid they consist of removes toxins and waste. Greens are rich in microelements, beta-carotene, vitamins C, A, B.They are used in salads, and it is impossible to refuse pickled and pickled cucumbers.
Type of fruit
Swallow is grown in Ukraine, Moldova, and the central regions of Russia. In the northern part of the country, the yield of the variety is slightly reduced. In the southern regions, the hybrid is sown directly into open ground when the ground temperature rises to 12 degrees. Flowers are pollinated by bees. Up to three dozen cucumbers ripen on one bush, possessing:
- cylindrical shape;
- surface with large tubercles;
- rich green color;
- thin skin;
- delicate taste;
- beautiful design.
In order not to wait for the first fruits, which grow up to 12 cm in length and weigh about 100 g, you can pick small cucumbers that look like gherkins.
Hybrid characteristics
Summer residents plant the plant in a film greenhouse, farmers grow it in the fields. In each node of the bush, 3 ovaries are formed; up to 12 kg of strong fruits with black thorns are collected per square meter.
Hybrid Swallow tolerates sudden changes in weather well and is not affected by:
- powdery mildew;
- cucumber mosaic;
- peronosporosis.
In order for a vegetable crop to reward you with a harvest, you need to have an idea of its characteristics and comply with the requirements for planting and care. Swallow, like other cucumbers, loves warmth, but this hybrid is adapted to the conditions of different regions and feels normal in open ground.
When is it planted?
Cucumbers are sown when the temperature of the top layer of the earth rises to 12 degrees. This usually happens in mid-May; in the middle zone, the plant is planted in the first ten days of June. In cold and wet soil, sprouts simply will not appear. When the heat is above 30 degrees, the culture slows down its development.Seeds are placed in 20 ml of soil, up to 6 bushes are placed per square meter.
The roots of cucumbers are located close to the surface; you cannot loosen the soil near them. To prevent the hybrid from getting sick, you should not plant it in an area where melons, carrots or beans previously grew. The culture takes root well in slightly darkened places.
Features of watering
In order for the Swallow hybrid to develop and bear fruit, it is necessary to create the correct moisture regime. If the soil gets too dry:
- Flowers are falling.
- The leaves are darkening.
- The ovary does not form.
With excessive watering, the amount of oxygen in the ground decreases, the plant turns pale, and there will be few cucumbers.
With sharp fluctuations in temperature and humidity, the fruits begin to taste bitter. After the rain, before the flowers appear, watering is stopped, then the green plants will begin to set together.
How to increase the yield?
Hybrid Swallow, like other varieties of cucumbers, needs feeding. To help the roots absorb nutrients faster, small channels are made around them. After planting, the soil is fertilized with potassium and phosphorus. These microelements contribute to the formation of cucumbers. To make more of them, the first ovary is cut off.
When the plant reaches 40 cm in height, the stepsons are removed. During flowering, the lower leaves are removed and the top is pinched. Girding the stems and alternating plantings of hybrids with varietal cucumbers helps to increase productivity.
With proper care, the Swallow will delight you with crispy and tasty fruits that are suitable for salads and pickles.
