Early maturing hybrid of cucumbers "Hector" for open ground

The fruits of the first generation hybrid Hector retain a spicy cucumber aroma for a long time, which makes them especially valuable. With these cucumbers, the culinary possibilities know no limits: the hybrid is used not only in home cooking, but also in public catering chains.

Read our article about how to grow a hybrid, what its features and advantages are.

Description of cucumbers Hector f1

The culture was created by Dutch breeders. Hector is one of the few hybrids known throughout the world and has gained widespread respect. The hybrid was included in the Russian State Register in 2002. Designed for growing in open ground.

Distinctive features

The culture is bushy, with a predominantly female type of flowering; there are few male flowers. Pollinated by bees. The lateral processes are poorly developed, which allows for the full formation and ripening of fruits.

Attention! Hybrids have numerous advantages over pure varieties. Breeders incorporate only the strongest aspects of the parent crops into the genes of hybrids. Therefore, they are resistant to diseases and better tolerate adverse weather conditions.

Properties, benefits, calorie content

The beneficial properties of cucumber are undeniable: it contains numerous microelements and vitamins necessary for the human body. Due to its low calorie content, it is used in various diets for weight loss. The vegetable is indispensable in cosmetology, as it improves the natural turgor of the skin, helps cleanse pores and lightly whiten the skin.

Reference! Facial cosmetics based on cucumber juice are gentle and suitable for the sensitive area around the eyes.

Scientists have determined the presence of structured water in cucumber. Structured water flushes the kidneys, removing toxins and waste, and improves immunity. The only drawback is that cucumbers should be used with caution by people suffering from chronic kidney disease.

This is interesting! Cucumber is 95% genetically similar to melon.

Plant characteristics

The bush is determinate, low-growing, height 75-80 cm, leaves are large, dark green, not prone to yellowing. Plants easily adapt to the vagaries of the weather and are resistant to temporary decreases in temperature, which makes it possible to grow crops throughout the Russian Federation.

Reference! Determinate – translated from Latin means limited. The stem of such plants grows to a certain length and stops growing.

Hector is characterized by increased resistance to diseases of the pumpkin family, and is practically immune to powdery mildew and cucumber mosaic virus.

Ripening time early, fruiting occurs 28-32 days after sowing the seeds.

The productivity is high, from 1 m², placing 5-7 seedlings, 4-6 kg of fruits are harvested.

Fruit characteristics

The length of the ripe fruit is 10-12 cm, average weight is 100 g. The color is dark green, the skin is wrinkled and lumpy. The taste is expressive, with a sweetish tint, without bitterness, The pulp is dense, juicy, and has a characteristic cucumber aroma.

Ripe vegetables are used universally: they are used for preparing fresh dishes and for winter preservation.Since vegetables have a light spicy aroma, they not only perfectly complement the taste of dishes, but also combine with other vegetables.

Cucumbers can withstand transportation and long-term storage without losing their presentation.

How to grow a hybrid yourself

The hybrid can be grown in seedlings and without seedlings. However, when planted in the ground, it will not be possible to harvest an early harvest.

Direct planting of seeds into the ground

The soil for cucumber beds is prepared 2-3 weeks before sowing: it is dug up and fertilized with peat and humus.

Seeds are placed in grooves 2 cm deep with the nose up, since this method of sowing promotes faster germination seeds. It is advisable not to use beds in which plants of the pumpkin family previously grew. This is due to the fact that cucumbers belong to the same family and for full development they need substances that previous crops have already taken from the soil.

It is not possible to prepare seeds for sowing from hybrid crops yourself. But purchased seeds, as a rule, do not need additional processing, since the manufacturer takes care of the quality himself.

Regular seed material is light cream in color. If the package contains grains of other colors (orange, blue, green), it means that they have been prepared and enriched with useful substances. If the grains are light, then disinfection will have to be carried out. This is done simply: place the seeds in a weak solution of potassium permanganate (dissolve 1 g in 100 ml of water) for 20 minutes, then rinse with running water.

The constant air temperature should be at least +21 °C, and the soil should be warmed to +16-17 °C. At lower temperatures, seed material may die in the soil.After sowing, the soil is moistened with warm, settled water from a sprayer.

Sowing seeds for seedlings

Preparation of seed material for sowing is the same as for open ground. Planting containers and home-prepared soil are disinfected. You can plant in peat pots, eggshells. The main thing is that the planting container is separate for each seedling.

Reference! The root system of cucumbers is extremely vulnerable, so they are spared from transplanting into beds and picking.

The soil is prepared from garden soil, humus and dry sawdust in a ratio of 2:2:1. A little wood ash is added as fertilizer. Disinfect with a hot solution of potassium permanganate, and fill the planting containers two-thirds with disinfected soil.

Sow to a depth of 2 cm, sprinkle with soil on top, lightly moisten with warm, settled water from a spray bottle, cover with film and leave in a bright room at a temperature of +22-24 °C.

When shoots appear, the film is removed and the containers are placed on the windowsill to receive the required amount of light.

Water moderately as the top layer of soil dries out from a shallow watering can with warm, settled water. After watering, surface loosening is carried out, creating the necessary conditions for the passage of oxygen to the roots.

After the appearance of 2 true leaves, apply the first fertilizing: 10 g of nitrate, 20 g of superphosphate and 10 g of potassium sulfate are dissolved in 10 liters of water. Fertilizing is combined with watering or fertilizer is applied immediately after watering to the moist soil.

Before planting in the ground, carry out a second feeding, dissolving 50 g of superphosphate and 20 g of potassium sulfate in 10 liters of water.

Transplantation and further care of cucumbers Hector f1

Planting pattern: 25 cm is the distance between holes, 45 cm is the distance between rows. No more than 7 seedlings are placed per 1 m². Before transplanting, the seedlings are moistened and moved to a new location along with the old lump of earth.

There is no need to bury the seedlings; it is enough to sprinkle the roots of the young plants. When planting deeply, there is a possibility of root rot.

Reference! According to the rules of crop rotation, the best predecessors of cucumber crops are lettuce, cabbage and green manure.

Caring for Hector seedlings is no different from other crops and comes down to moderate watering, loosening and weeding the beds.

Water twice a day, morning and evening, with water not lower than +20 °C. After watering, the beds are loosened and weeds with roots are removed so that they do not interfere with the healthy growth of seedlings.

To retain moisture in the beds, they are mulched with straw. In addition, mulch prevents the appearance of new weeds.

A full range of minerals and organic matter are used as fertilizers. Fertilize at least 3 times throughout the season, alternating the application of minerals with organic compounds. All fertilizing is combined with watering.

Features of care and possible difficulties

Low-growing bushes do not require mandatory formation. Molding can be done as desired. To do this, remove no more than 5 side shoots and pinch the main stem as soon as it reaches 70 cm.

The plant is so unpretentious that it develops well and bears fruit in dense planting conditions.

Diseases and pests

The hybrid genes contain good resistance to such dangerous diseases as powdery mildew and cucumber mosaic. The culture is also protected from many other viral diseases.

When plantings are dense, the likelihood of developing fungal infections increases.By following simple preventative measures, you will protect your plants from diseases. Preventive measures include:

• moderate and timely watering with warm water;
• loosening and weeding of beds;
• mulching;
• ventilation of closed structures;
• control over moisture levels and temperature conditions.

If affected by the fungus, the leaves and stems are sprayed with Fundazol or Topaz.

Reference! “Fundazol” and “Topaz” are therapeutic and prophylactic drugs classified as fungicidal.

Using a soap solution and nettle infusion will help avoid pest invasion. A soap solution effectively protects seedlings from aphids, and decoctions of strong-smelling herbs will prevent whiteflies from entering the beds.

Harvesting and application

Harvesting is carried out once every 2-3 days. As cucumbers outgrow, their skin becomes rougher, which negatively affects their taste. Therefore, during the fruiting period, timely harvesting of fruits is important.

Ripe cucumbers are used universally due to their unique taste. They are suitable for preparing fresh dishes and go well in winter preparations: pickles, marinades, canned food.

Advantages and disadvantages of a hybrid

Positive properties of Hector cucumbers:

• cultivation in 2 ways - direct planting in the ground and seedling method;
• adaptation to any weather conditions;
• possibility of breeding in any region;
• unpretentious care;
• increased resistance to diseases;
• high productivity;
• excellent taste of fruits;
• universal application;
• presentation and the possibility of quick sale.

The disadvantages of this variety include:

• coarsening of the peel as a result of overgrowth;
• impossibility of independently collecting seeds.

Reviews

There are many positive reviews about the culture.Hector has fans who consider it an indispensable crop in their area.

Svetlana, Nizhny Novgorod: «I plant a few, 10 bushes each, but always with cucumbers. The seedlings do not get sick, they remain healthy all season, the leaves do not turn yellow. I make salads, side dishes from the fruits, marinades And pickles. All the dishes are just finger licking good!”

Julia, Tver: “For me, this is not just a hybrid that produces excellent vegetables, but also a cosmetic product. The taste of fresh cucumbers is so unique that for years now I haven’t dared to plant any other variety in my garden. Moreover, in winter preparations, the fruits also retain their taste characteristics. As for other qualities: Hector hybrid cucumbers are excellent for masks that promote facial skin rejuvenation.”

Conclusion

We can confidently recommend Hector f1 cucumbers to anyone who has a little time left for their summer cottage. This is exactly the kind of culture that they say “plant and forget.” The hybrid is characterized by stable immunity to diseases and a high fruiting rate.

The universal use of fruits makes it possible to prepare summer dishes and winter preparations. Hector cucumbers will pamper even those gardeners who are growing vegetables for the first time with a good harvest.