A detailed description of the April cucumber variety and tips for growing

Cucumber hybrids are increasingly gaining the respect of gardeners. Breeders are trying to increase yields, resistance to diseases and pests, and facilitate the care of vegetables. The April cucumber variety is no exception.

The Aprelsky F1 variety owes its appearance to Soviet breeders. This variety was entered in the state register a long time ago - in 1977. Was bred by the Manul firm. However, now it is not the only manufacturer. At the international exhibition in Germany, breeders received a gold medal for the excellent taste of the fruit. April cucumbers are suitable for growing in areas from the 1st to the 7th light zone, and this is, one might say, all of Russia.

Why is the variety interesting?

The main feature of this variety of cucumbers is the ability to grow indoors, in particular on a windowsill or a warm balcony. It is kept as an ordinary houseplant, in the summer it is taken out to the balcony. With good care, it gives the expected yield. However, for cultivation, you need to buy cucumber seeds every year.

Description of the variety:

Appearance

Bushes grow short, medium-branched, lateral branching is limited, mainly female flowering type. Although the variety is parthenocarpic, the yield is increased if the bushes are pollinated by insects. Plants grow up to 25 cm long - limiting the growth of lateral shoots is very convenient when grown indoors.

Zelentsy have an average length of 12-22 cm, weight up to 300 g. The shape of the fruit is cylindrical, the color is green, ranging from rich, bright to darker with light stripes (both options are considered the norm). The surface is slightly ribbed, rarely covered with tubercles of medium convexity. The skin is thin and shiny. Harvesting is recommended at least once every 2-3 days. Otherwise, the skin begins to coarse. At the same time, the fruits themselves slow down growth, do not increase in size.

Pros and cons of the variety

Like any other vegetable crop, April cucumbers have advantages and disadvantages that must be considered when choosing a variety for planting.

Advantages:

• does not need insect pollination;
• early maturity;
• indoor cultivation;
• amicable maturation;
• high productivity;
• ease of care;
• resistance to major diseases of cucumbers.

Disadvantages:

• friendly fruiting in the first month is an inconvenience in using such a large number of cucumbers;
• fear of white rot.

The last drawback is perhaps the most significant. However, if you follow the precautions, you can appreciate the benefits of the April variety.

Planting seeds

Taking care of April cucumbers is easy. You can grow in a greenhouse, a greenhouse, under a low film greenhouse, on a balcony or on a windowsill.

Before planting seeds, it is imperative to subject them to processing. The scheme of actions is approximately as follows:

1. sorting;
2. selection of seeds with defects;
3. etching;
4. disinfection;
5. germination;
6. hardening.

This guarantees a high-quality harvest with proper plant care.

The April variety is planted with already germinated seeds or ready-made seedlings. Sowing for seedlings is done about 30 days before planting in the soil. This is usually done in April. The seeds are placed at a depth of 1 cm to obtain seedlings. If the seeds are planted directly in open ground, the planting depth is 2 cm.

It is very important to loosen and water the upper layers of the earth after sunset. Top dressing is carried out once a week after these procedures. The first fertilizers are applied 14 days after planting the seeds.

Growing features

There are several nuances that must be observed when growing April cucumbers. This will significantly improve the quality of the crop.

So that the bushes of the plant form correctly, trellis structure is created... The main stem is fixed, then the secondary branches and lashes are straightened. The first 3-4 leaves are then removed so that the shoots go in different directions. The higher the shoot grows, the longer it should be. Lateral shoots are also pinched, at about the 3-4th node. These principles of shrub formation are identical for any growing method.

Special attention is paid to temperature conditions. During the day, the temperature favorable for this variety of cucumbers is from +20 to +28 ℃, during flowering - +26 ℃. At night, the optimal temperature range is from +16 to +20 ℃, during flowering - +24 ℃. If the temperature drops, the plant begins to slow down its growth. With a decrease to +10 ℃, development completely stops. In the range from +6 to +8 ℃, the plant dies. If the temperature of +15 ℃ persists for a long time, the bushes begin to ache and quickly die.

Experienced gardeners have found out that in order for the yield to be consistently high, regular feeding is necessary according to a certain scheme - in 4 stages.

1. Fertilizers are applied 14 days after planting the seeds.
2. Top dressing (root and foliar) is carried out when the first flowers appear.
3. Mandatory fertilizer during the fruiting period is urea.
4. As soon as the formation of ovaries begins to complete, the roots are fertilized with soda, and the plant is sprayed with hay infusion, watered with urea at the root.

If you do not feed, the yield decreases, the appearance and taste of cucumbers suffers. They can become lethargic and soft, their shape suffers - the fruit takes on a twisted appearance.

Since April cucumbers are poorly resistant to white rot, it is necessary to regularly inspect the plants. All damaged or diseased areas are removed and thrown away from the cucumber planting site. The whips, leaves and greens themselves can get sick. All plants in the garden must not be infested.

Reviews of gardeners

If we compare the reviews of gardeners, we can conclude that the taste qualities of cucumbers really correspond to those stated. With proper care and regular feeding, the harvest is stable, which allows you to enjoy juicy and tasty greens during the season. At the same time, it is noted that it is still necessary to monitor the manifestations of white rot, to take measures to prevent and eliminate this disease. Novice gardeners note the ease of caring for the plant.

If the purpose of growing cucumbers is fresh use, and not for conservation or pickles, this hybrid is quite consistent with the declared qualities.Photos of Zelentsov confirm the description of the variety. April cucumbers are somewhat similar to Zozulya - both externally and in terms of other characteristics.