The variety of vegetables grown on the site depends on the wishes of the summer resident. When planting a crop, many vegetable growers are faced with the problem of selecting a suitable variety. Cucumber Metelitsa F1 is suitable for those who want to get a harvest as early as possible.
What is a variety?
By studying the description, the summer resident decides whether the cucumber is suitable. A feature of the species is limited lateral shoots.
Bush:
- Parthenocarpic.
- Ripens within 36–37 days.
- Flowers are female.
- The ovaries are bunched and contain 3-4 cucumbers.
Cucumber:
- Color: dark green with white stripe.
- Shape: cylindrical.
- Length: 7–8 cm.
- Weight: 65–70 g.
- Taste: without the bitterness characteristic of the plant.
Growing and care
The crop is planted in 2 ways; in cold regions, Metelitsa cucumbers are recommended to be planted in seedlings. For this, a special soil mixture is prepared. It consists of:
- 1 part sand.
- 1 part of the top layer of soil.
- 2 parts humus.
The seed sowing depth is 1.5 cm. It is recommended to use peat pots; they decompose in the ground, providing additional nutrition for young plants.
Proper care of seedlings consists of:
- Watering. The seedlings should not be overwatered, but they should not dry out either.
- Maintaining temperature conditions. After germination, the temperature should not drop below +17⁰С.
- Feeding. Use complex fertilizers with a predominance of nitrogen at least 2 times.
- Lighting. Growing seedlings need sunlight 14 hours a day; if there is insufficient daylight, additional lamps are installed.
Planting seeds in the ground is carried out during the absence of night frosts, the ground temperature is +15–17 ⁰С. The holes are filled with a nutrient mixture, humus, and a small amount of wood ash is added.
The planted seeds are covered with film, so they germinate faster.
Cucumbers like daily watering, take warm water. The procedure is carried out in the evening. To retain moisture, the beds are mulched or loosened. Hilling provides oxygen access to the roots. In addition, it protects against pest attacks.
Adult plants should be fed 5–6 times per season, alternating organic fertilizers and minerals.
Species immunity
As the characteristics of the variety show, Metelitsa cucumbers are resistant to:
- Powdery mildew.
- Downy mildew.
To avoid infection and death of a healthy plant, cucumbers are treated for prevention against all diseases common in the region. This is done before the ovaries begin to form, if chemicals are used. Folk remedies are used constantly.
Use in home cooking and advantages of the variety
The versatility of the fruit is confirmed by the summer residents themselves. Cucumbers are canned, salted and all known preparations are made for the winter. When fresh, it is used for preparing salads and table decorations.
The advantages of the variety are:
- The presence of a large number of female flowers.
- Unpretentiousness.
- The versatility of the fruit.
- Disease resistance.
- Tolerance of excess moisture.
- Limiting side shoots.
The absence of negative qualities in any variety increases its popularity among most varieties.
What do summer residents say about Metelitsa cucumbers?
Before buying new seeds, a vegetable grower looks for reviews. The characteristics prescribed by the manufacturer are confirmed or refuted in their comments by gardeners who planted this variety on their site.
- Natalya: “It didn’t work out the first time. There were a lot of flowers, but no ovaries at all. Disappointed."
- Alexander: “I tried to grow Metelitsa on the plot, I was attracted by the promises of early ripening of cucumbers. Based on the results of the season, a decision will be made on the future fate of the variety.”
Metelitsa cucumbers will delight their owners with their taste. In addition, cucumbers are distinguished by their unpretentiousness and ability to tolerate waterlogging in the soil.
