Cucumber variety Competitor
The competitor is an old bee-pollinated variety of cucumber of medium early ripening, obtained at the State Scientific Institution "Crimean Experimental Breeding Station". The period from emergence to fruiting for spring planting is 45 - 50 days, with summer planting - 29 - 30 days.
In 1980, the variety was added to the state register of the Russian Federation. Approved for use in the North Caucasus region (Krasnodar and Stavropol Territories, Rostov Region, the republics of Dagestan, Adygea, Ingushetia, Chechen, Kabardino-Balkarian, North Ossetia-Alania). Recommended for growing in open ground and temporary film shelters.
Competitor cucumber plants are powerful, slightly branched, with a long main stem. The length of the stalk is 5 - 7 cm, which makes harvesting easier.
When shaping, blinding is carried out (all stepsons and ovaries are removed) in the first 3 - 4 leaf sinuses of the main lash. This allows the plant to form a strong root system and gain green mass. In the 5 - 6 knot, only 1 - 2 ovaries are left, removing the stepsons. Starting from 6 - 7 knots, ovaries and lateral shoots are left, pinching them after 1 leaf. In the upper tier, the lateral shoots are pinched after 2 - 3 leaves, depending on the thickening of the plantings. When the plant reaches the horizontal trellis, the main stem is wrapped around it 2 - 3 times, then lowered down by 50 - 80 cm and pinched.
Fruits are oval-cylindrical, ribbed, large-lumpy, small (9-12 cm long, weighing 70-100 grams). The skin is green, with blurred white stripes of medium length. Frequent pubescence. The thorns are black. The pulp is dense, crispy, aromatic. Average yield - 3 - 5 kg / sq. Meter.
The variety is resistant to bacteriosis, olive spot, powdery mildew and downy mildew (downy mildew). Plucked fruits do not turn yellow for a long time. With a lack of moisture, the greens begin to taste bitter.
These cucumbers are very good in salted and pickled form, which is confirmed by numerous reviews of gardeners, however, fresh and in salads, they are just as highly valued.
Cucumber advantages Competitor: inexpensive seeds, excellent fruit taste.
The disadvantages include: thick skin, overgrowth of not harvested fruits in time, harsh seeds.
The competitor is an excellent variety of versatile early cucumbers. They sprout well, but I still soak. I do this: pour boiling water for 30 seconds, then wrap it in gauze soaked in cold water. In this way, they hatch very quickly. They grow literally 1.5 - 2 months before the first fruits. Want some early cucumbers? - Plant the seeds in pots in the spring, and when they pick up color, plant them along with a clod of earth. If without a coma, then they do not take root well or may die. The palatability of the fruit is 10 points out of 10. The size is medium, there are rarely voids inside. With a lack of fertilizer, they yield ugly. They love care and good watering.
Cucumber Competitor perfectly takes root when planting seedlings. I sow the seeds in peat cups, and as soon as the seedlings are ready for planting in open ground, I just plant them right in the cups, I first remove the bottom of the cup. In order to have a good harvest, I always pinch the top of the lash. This procedure avoids empty flowers, and there will be a lot of ovaries.The yield of this variety is very good, not only for me, but also for all my relatives. I try to grow nitrate-free cucumbers, and so far I can do it. Lightly salted cucumbers from this variety are crispy, eat and still want to.