Dutch hybrid cucumber "Cedric", recommended for growing in greenhouse conditions

The Cedric f1 cucumber appeared on the market recently, but has already gained popularity among gardeners due to its high productivity and long-term fruiting in greenhouse conditions. The fruits have an attractive presentation and excellent taste without bitterness. Immunity to major crop diseases makes caring for bushes easier. When cultivating, it is important to apply fertilizing in a timely manner, regularly water the plants, and observe the temperature regime.

Description of the hybrid

Hybrid Cedric f1 was bred by Dutch breeders of the Enza Zaden company. The culture was included in the State Register of Russia in 2015. Cucumbers are recommended for cultivation throughout the country, in greenhouses and greenhouses in spring and summer (in autumn and winter - in heated greenhouses).

Peculiarities

Indeterminate bushes require shaping and tying to a trellis. The plant is medium-branched, with a female type of flowering and a powerful rhizome. 2–4 ovaries are formed in one node.

The culture is highly productive and therefore needs constant feeding mineral complexes. Fruits set even in unfavorable conditions (during fluctuations in average daily temperature, lack of sunlight).

The photo shows Cedric the cucumber.

The table shows the main characteristics of the hybrid:

Composition and properties

Nutritional value of cucumbers (per 100 g):

• calorie content - 14 kcal;
• proteins - 0.8 g;
• fats - 0.1 g;
• carbohydrates - 2.5 g;
• water - 95 g;
• fiber - 1 g.

Table of vitamin and mineral composition:

Benefits of fruits for the body:

• normalization of water and electrolyte balance;
• relief from heartburn;
• replenishing the deficiency of minerals and vitamins;
• improvement of digestive function;
• normalization of the thyroid gland;
• removing excess fluid from tissues;
• whitening freckles when applied externally;
• lowering cholesterol levels.

Agricultural technology

The crop is grown by seedlings and by direct sowing into the ground.Caring for plantings involves frequent loosening, weeding, sufficient watering, and the application of organic and mineral fertilizers. The hybrid is resistant to major crop diseases, which greatly facilitates its cultivation.

Planting by seed

Cucumbers are grown on fertile, loamy and loose soils. Crop rotation is difficult to maintain indoors. More often, plants are simply swapped from year to year. Under such conditions, the soil is quickly depleted and pathogenic microflora accumulates. Farmers replace the top layer of soil with a new one, but this procedure requires labor and money.

Simplifies the sowing task green manure. Legumes, white mustard and oilseed radish restore soil fertility. Oats fill the soil with nitrogen, potassium and phosphorus and inhibit the development of nematodes.

In the fall, the soil in the greenhouse is dug up and green manure is sown. The green mass is growing rapidly. Within a month, the plants are mowed down and buried in the ground. To accelerate decay, water with a solution of the Baikal-EM preparation.

Seeds do not need disinfection, since all Dutch-made planting material undergoes pre-treatment. Sowing is carried out at the end of May or at the beginning of June. The air temperature should warm up to at least +20 °C, the soil temperature - to +16 °C.

A bayonet shovel is used to dig up the area. The beds are formed 70 cm wide and 20 cm deep. Peat, sawdust and chicken droppings (10 l/1 m²) are added for feeding. Use a rake to level the surface and lightly press it down. A 2-3 cm depression is formed in the middle, into which a hot solution of potassium permanganate is poured for disinfection.

Seeds are planted to a depth of 2-3 cm, at a distance of 25 cm from each other, lightly pressed into the soil with the palm of your hand.Moist soil is poured on top and covered with agrofibre to protect against frost.

Planting by seedlings

Sowing seeds for seedlings is carried out in mid-April. Use 500 ml peat containers or 10x10 cm cassettes. The container is filled with a moist soil mixture of 2 parts soil, humus and 1 part river sand.

The seeds are planted one at a time, to a depth of 1.5 cm. Polyethylene is pulled over the top and taken to a dark place. The optimal temperature for rapid germination is + 27 °C.

After the sprouts appear, the shelter is removed and the containers are placed on the windowsill on the south side of the house. During the first 5 days, the temperature is gradually reduced: during the day - to +15...+18 °C, at night - to +12...+14 °C. This prevents the seedlings from being pulled out.

The seedlings are watered with warm, clean water once a week.

After the appearance of 4 true leaves, the seedlings dive into the greenhouse. The soil is prepared in the same way as for direct sowing. Planting pattern: 20x60 cm, 3 bushes per 1 m². The roots are hilled up, lightly compacted and watered generously.

Reference! Cedric is grown in open ground in seedlings provided the soil is warmed to +16 °C. The method is suitable for southern regions.

Growing and care

Rules for caring for crops:

1. The temperature in the greenhouse is maintained at least +20 °C.
2. Bushes watered under the root with warm rain or settled water, organize a drip humidification system, combining water with mineral supplements.
3. Loosening and weeding are carried out regularly. Weeds are removed from the roots.
4. To maintain a high level of productivity, the bushes are formed and tied to a trellis.
5. During the growing season, plants are fed at least 5 times, alternating organic matter and mineral mixtures.

The table shows the diagram fertilizing cucumbers:

Features of cultivation and possible difficulties

The hybrid is hardy and quickly adapts to growing conditions. Parthenocarpic needs staking and proper shaping of the bushes:

1. The first 5-6 leaf axils are blinded (ovaries and shoots are removed).
2. In cloudy, cool weather, blinding is carried out at 7-8 knots.
3. The main stem is led to the trellis, removing the stepsons and leaving only the ovaries.
4. When it reaches the crossbar, the stem is wrapped around it, pinched after 3–5 leaves have formed, or thrown over the bar and the crown is pinched a meter from the ground.
5. The lower dry and yellow leaves are removed early in the morning.

Diseases and pests

Hybrid Cedric is immune to cladosporiosis, powdery mildew, and cucumber mosaic virus. For preventive purposes, a number of procedures are performed:

• greenhouses are fumigated with sulfur bombs in the fall;
• the ground is disinfected with copper sulfate (50 g of powder per 10 l);
• observe crop rotation, plant green manure;
• control the level of nitrogen in the soil;
• regulate indoor humidity;
• mineral fertilizers are applied in a timely manner.

The plant is susceptible to attacks by melon aphids, spider mites, whiteflies, and cucumber mosquitoes. The table contains the main signs of infection and methods of insect control:

Harvesting and application

Cucumbers are harvested every 3 days to preserve further productivity of the crop. The first fruits are harvested 40 days after the sprouts appear. The bushes bear fruit before the onset of cold weather.

The dense structure of cucumbers without voids and bitterness allows them to be used for pickling and pickling for the winter. Fruits with a sweetish crispy pulp are great for preparing seasonal salads and vegetable slices.

The harvest is stored in the cellar for about 2 weeks.During transportation, cucumbers do not lose their presentation.

Advantages and disadvantages

Advantages of a hybrid:

• early ripening;
• versatility of use in cooking;
• the fruits do not overgrow, do not barrel;
• resistance to major crop diseases;
• stress resistance;
• abundant fruiting;
• lack of bitterness in fruits;
• high transportability and keeping quality.

Disadvantages - the need for pinching and tying to the trellis.

Reviews

Hybrid Cedric appeared on the domestic seed market recently, but many gardeners have already tried it out:

Vladimir, Penza: «I grow cucumbers for sale. Last year I planted several new varieties and hybrids in the greenhouse, including Cedric. Cucumbers began to ripen 40 days after germination. I alternated organic matter and minerals for feeding. The bushes did not suffer from any disease and bore fruit steadily.”

Natalya, Engels: “I planted the hybrid through seedlings in the greenhouse. Seed germination is 100%. I didn’t give the seedlings enough light, watered them in moderation, and didn’t fertilize them with anything. She grew up healthy and strong. Cucumbers taste excellent, do not taste bitter, and are suitable for canning. When growing, it is important to form the bushes correctly and not shade them. Plants love warmth and sun.”

Andrey, Yelets: “I sowed the seeds directly into the ground in the greenhouse at the end of May. Flower ovaries began to appear after 35 days, the first fruits were collected after 50 days. The bushes were fed with organic and ready-made mineral fertilizers. Watered 2-3 times a week. The cucumbers do not outgrow, there are no voids inside, the seeds are small.”

Conclusion

Early ripening “Dutch” Cedric f1 is suitable for growing indoors and outdoors in spring-summer and autumn-winter rotations.The crop is undemanding in terms of soil composition, enjoys long-term fruiting, and stable immunity to major diseases. Cucumbers do not overgrow, do not barrel, and retain their presentation and taste for a long time.

Parthenocarpic does not need pollination by bees, so it is ideal for indoor soil. Compliance with pinching technology allows you to maintain fruiting at a high level.