Cucumber variety Hummingbird (F1)

Breeders create amazing varieties of vegetables, which can be cultivated not only in a garden bed or in a greenhouse, but also at home, for example, on balconies or loggias. These varieties include the hummingbird cucumber, which surprises with abundant fruiting, regardless of the method of cultivation. The novelty was announced in 2010 by the Manul Seed Breeding and Seed Company LLC. In the same year, the species was entered into the State Register of Breeding Achievements of Russia and received admission in all regions of the country. The best results were shown in spring film unheated greenhouses, therefore it is recommended for growing in greenhouses in personal subsidiary plots. But the plant also showed good performance in the open field in regions with a temperate and warm climate. During its short history, the variety managed to acquire fans not only in Russia, but also in Moldova and Ukraine. It is a hybrid, therefore it is labeled F1.

Description

The plant is of an indeterminate type, the State Register describes it as weakly growing. But in greenhouses, the height of the main stem of a cucumber can reach 2.5 meters, and the bushes themselves are much more powerful. At the same time, a rather weak branching is noted in Hummingbirds. Although there are many lateral shoots in the variety, they are short, determinant type. Average leafiness. The leaves are small, green, long-petiolate, with a slightly wrinkled surface. The leaf plates are located horizontally relative to the soil surface. The internodes of the main lash are very short, this allows a large number of ovaries to form, as a result of which the yield increases. The flowering type is predominantly female. In each axil of the leaf, mainly from 4 to 5 ovaries are formed (according to the State Register). The originators in their description call the number of ovaries from 2 to 8 - 10 in the bosom, reckoning the hybrid as a superbeam crop. Despite the large number of ovaries in the bunch, all cucumbers ripen, since the hummingbird fruiting occurs sequentially.

The zelents of the variety are short, gherkin type, 5 - 8 cm long, in cross section - 3.0 - 3.7 cm, fusiform, on a long stalk. Fruit color is bright, green, with short light stripes. The surface is with barely noticeable ribbing, medium-tuberous, the frequency of the tubercles is moderate, the pubescence is light, of medium density. The pulp is dense, crispy, tender and juicy, does not even contain traces of bitterness, the aroma is present. The taste is good, sweetish. The seeds are very small, at the stage of milky ripeness, practically not felt during consumption. Cucumber mass 60 - 80 grams.

Characteristics

• The Hummingbird hybrid belongs to the early maturing species. From the emergence of full shoots to the start of picking cucumbers, it takes 43 to 48 days. If the sowing dates are observed, the crop ripens in June, and the harvest can continue until September;
• during the entire growing season, the plant surprises with increased fruit formation. Therefore, despite the small weight of zelents, the total marketable yield of the variety is quite high. The state register indicates 11.0 - 13.0 kg per 1 square meter;
• the variety has a fairly strong immunity. Good resistance to cladosporiosis, common field mosaic (BOM1), powdery mildew and tolerance to downy mildew are noted;
• the fruits are not prone to overgrowing, so there is no need to worry about the need for a daily harvest. Although it is advisable to collect ripe cucumbers on time - every other day, so as not to delay the ripening of the emerging ovary;
• belonging to parthenocarpics makes the culture completely independent of pollinating insects. The hummingbird is able to tie a crop on its own, regardless of the weather and growing conditions;
• the transportability of zelents is quite high, keeping quality is also good, subject to storage standards;
• the way of use is universal. Cucumbers are good in salads, used for canning and pickling. True, there are reviews that the fruits of this variety become soft in seaming.

Agrotechnics

Our hero provides vegetable growers with a wide range of growing methods. In addition, hummingbirds can be planted directly by seeds in the ground or seedlings. Therefore, the timing of sowing or planting will be different. So, in an unheated greenhouse, seeds or 25-day-old seedlings are planted from 15 to 20 May. Outdoors - from 1 to 5 June. These terms are suitable for central Russia. In the southern regions, sowing or planting is carried out earlier - in April and May. The planting density, depending on the location, is different. In protected ground, it is recommended to plant 2.5 - 3 bushes per 1 square meter, the density in an open bed may be slightly higher - 4 - 5 plants per the same area. Cucumber care is standard, including timely watering, feeding, weeding and loosening. Do not miss the moment when the plant needs to be tied to a support or trellis. Form the cultivar into 1 stalk using the standard scheme.

The hummingbird is good because it can be used for growing in the spring-summer turnover on balconies, loggias and verandas. For one plant, a small container with a volume of 5 - 6 liters is required. Care also does not differ in features, except for one nuance. A small volume of soil dries out much faster when the temperature rises, so the plant will have to be watered more often. Use only warm water to moisturize so that the roots of the cucumber are not shocked. In cooler regions, gardeners have successfully grown crops in a barrel filled with compost, where the plant is warm and has enough nutrients.

The Hummingbird hybrid is a very interesting, one might even say versatile culture. It is suitable not only for gardeners, but also for city dwellers who also want to grow vegetables with their own hands. An unpretentious and disease-resistant variety will not take long for a grower, even a beginner. And he will certainly thank him with a rich harvest of delicious cucumbers, which are good both in their natural form and in canned form. There were no significant shortcomings in the variety, except for the need for a garter and plant formation. Another unpleasant nuance is the need for the annual purchase of cucumber seeds.