Cucumber variety Athlete (F1)
The athlete is a medium-ripening cucumber hybrid, bred in 1999 by breeders of the Gavrish agricultural firm (Moscow). It is one of the most popular hybrids in greenhouse farms in Russia and the CIS countries. In 2002, the variety was included in the state register of plants of the Russian Federation for growing in greenhouses in extended circulation. Approved for use in the Central, Central Chernozem, North Caucasian, Volgo-Vyatka, North and North-West regions of Russia. The authors of the hybrid: S.F. Gavrish, V.V. Shevelev, A.E. Portyankin, A.V. Shamshina, G.P. Dodonov.
Variety Athlete bee-pollinated. From full germination to fruiting, 50-60 days pass.
Plants are indeterminate, vigorous (up to 3 - 3.5 m long), medium branched, abundant leafy, mixed flowering type (with a predominance of female flowers). The leaves are green, smooth, large, with irregularly serrate edges. On the central stem, from 9 to 15 female nodes are laid, in each of which 1 - 2 ovaries are formed. With the correct temperature and good illumination, both ovaries give fruit.
When forming, the first 5 - 7 (depending on the development of plants) leaf sinuses of the central stem are blinded (all ovaries and lateral shoots are removed). In the next two sinuses, only the lateral shoots are removed. In the next 5 sinuses, the lateral shoots are pinched on 1 leaf and 1 fruit, in the new 5 sinuses - already on 2 leaves and 2 fruits. After that, up to the horizontal trellis, all lateral shoots are pinched into 3 leaves and 3 fruits. Then the central stem is wrapped 2 times around the trellis and lowered to grow downward, pinching it through 1 - 2 knots, which stimulates the growth of lateral shoots. All ovaries that form along the horizontal trellis are removed, because they inhibit the growth of side shoots and leaves, which are necessary for protection from sunlight.
Cucumbers are cylindrical, with large tubercles and a thin elongated neck of medium length; outwardly similar to the fruits of the Relay hybrid, only shorter. The length of the greenery is 18 - 20 cm (the overgrown fruits reach 25 - 30 cm), the diameter is 3.5 - 4.5 cm, and the weight is 140 - 180 grams. The skin is dark green, with blurred white stripes reaching up to 1/3 - 1/2 of the fruit. Pubescence is rare. The thorns are white. The flesh is firm and crispy. The yield of marketable fruits is 25.6 - 27.1 kg / square meter (which corresponds to the indicators of the standard Relay variety). The maximum yield is 35 kg / m2. The output of marketable products is 88%.
A variety of salad type - used fresh.
The hybrid is resistant to powdery mildew. Differs in increased shade tolerance: plants easily tolerate a lack of light and changes in illumination due to good foliage and vigorous growth. After harvesting, the fruits do not lose their presentation and taste for a long time.
Advantages of the Athlete cucumber: very high yield, excellent taste of fresh produce, transportability.
Disadvantages: fruits outgrow quickly; in the heat, bitterness appears in the fruits, therefore, shading of the plants is required during such periods.
When grown in a winter-spring turnover in the third light zone, seeds are sown in the first decade of December, and seedlings are planted in the ground from the beginning of January.
