A new, but promising variety of cucumbers, “Shosha”, which has managed to win the hearts of many gardeners.

Cucumber is a very popular product. Almost every gardener grows it. Summer residents pay special attention to new hybrids, among which Shosha stands out. This plant brings a plentiful and high-quality harvest. Smooth and beautiful cucumbers do not leave anyone indifferent.

Description of cucumbers

The Shosha hybrid was bred by Russian breeders from the “Partner” agricultural company. The crop shows good yield when grown in greenhouse conditions, but it is also successfully cultivated in open ground. The plant is medium-sized. The main stem reaches 1.5–2 m. Shosha develops a powerful root system and short lateral shoots.

Distinctive features

In appearance, cucumbers have the same shape. On their surface there are characteristic tubercles with small spines. The fruits of the plant have an excellent presentation.

Composition, properties, benefits, calorie content

Cucumber perfectly quenches thirst. This vegetable contains about 90% structured water. The remaining 10% contains useful minerals and vitamins: A, B1, B2, C, E, PP, H. Cucumber also contains:

• calcium;
• starch;
• fructose;
• glucose;
• phosphorus;
• carotene;
• sodium;
• potassium;
• iodine;
• magnesium.

In addition, the vegetable contains folic, caffeic and ascorbic acids.

Calorie content per 100 g of product – 15 kcal:

• proteins – 08;
• fats – 0.1;
• carbohydrates – 3.0.

Characteristics

Hybrid Shosha has a female type of flowering. The plant pollinates itself, which makes it easier to grow crops in greenhouse conditions.The shape of the flower is in the form of a crown, the color is bright yellow. One node produces up to four fruits. The foliage is green and medium in size.

The lumpy fruits are slightly pubescent, have a thin peel, without bitterness. The pulp is light green. The length of the vegetable is within 10 cm, the diameter is about 4 cm. One cucumber weighs 40–60 g. The fruits have small and delicate seeds.

The first greens ripen within 40 days after germination. With proper care, Shosha produces 12–14 kg of yield per 1 square meter. m.

How to grow Shosha cucumbers yourself

The Shosha hybrid is grown both by seedlings and by direct sowing in the ground.. The first option gives higher yields. The culture performs well in greenhouse conditions. But with any sowing method, the seeds are disinfected in a weak solution of potassium permanganate for 20–30 minutes.

Seedling method

To grow seedlings, seeds are sown in separate containers with soil in early April.. Before sowing, the seed material is germinated. To do this, the grains are wrapped in damp cotton cloth and moistened as they dry.

Before germination, keep the container with soaked seeds in a warm room with a temperature of at least +25 °C. Sprouts appear on the second or third day. After this, they begin sowing.

Important! Cucumbers do not tolerate diving well. Therefore, the seeds must be sown in individual containers.

For growing seedlings, prepare nutritious, loose and moisture-absorbing soil. To do this, mix the following components:

• clean river sand (1 part);
• turf soil (2 parts);
• humus (3 parts).

After emergence, cucumbers are promptly moistened with warm water.. Water is used from wells, rainwater, or tap water. Replant to a permanent location when the threat of frost has passed.The seedlings will be approximately 25–30 days old.

Direct sowing into the ground

Cucumber is a heat-loving crop. Its seeds begin to germinate at a temperature of at least +15 °C, so spring sowing in open ground is carried out in beds insulated with manure.

Sowing time: from early to mid-May, depending on the region. The grains are deepened into the soil by 1 cm. When seedlings appear, 30–40 cm are left between the plants. The remaining seedlings are replanted if desired. To do this, seedlings are dug up with a clod of earth and planted in pre-prepared holes.

Important! For 1 sq. m no more than three plants are planted. With this planting scheme, Shosha gives higher yields.

Step-by-step cultivation and care

The main care for Shosha cucumbers is to regularly moisten the soil. If the weather is hot, plants are watered every day. Cucumbers have a shallow root system, so the soil under the bushes is not allowed to dry out completely. The culture is moistened with warm water.

The yield of cucumbers is negatively affected by the formation of soil crust. This leads to oxygen starvation of plants. Therefore, after watering, be sure to loosen the soil. The soil is also mulched with a layer of humus or peat. Organic matter retains moisture well and serves as an additional source of nutrition.

Fertilizers are combined with soil moisture. Cucumbers are fed once every 10–14 days with mullein infusion with the addition of ash and “Superphosphate”. The first fertilizer is applied before the plants flower.

On a note. Cucumbers have a tendency to accumulate nitrates, so nitrogen fertilizers are used in moderation.

The Shosha hybrid develops long and powerful lashes, therefore, as the crop grows, it is tied to a trellis.The supports are installed after the first full leaf appears.

To obtain high yields, bushes are formed: All side shoots in the first three to four leaf axils are removed. If this is not done, the plants will spend vital energy on the development of green mass.

As a result, the crop will begin to bear fruit late and the yield will decrease significantly. The side shoots are removed when their length reaches 4-5 cm. Further regrowth is not allowed. The longer the stepsons, the worse the crop tolerates their removal.

Features of cultivation and possible difficulties

The site for planting cucumbers is chosen in a place where there are no drafts. To protect plants from gusts of wind, sunflowers or corn are planted around the perimeter. These crops are sown in the last ten days of April in two or three rows with an interval of 25 cm. Such protection grows quickly and creates a beautiful natural fence.

The soil for planting cucumbers is prepared in advance. In the southern regions, the vegetable is grown in partial shade, and for more northern regions with cool summers, a sunny area is chosen.

Diseases and pests

Shosha F1 has good resistance to diseases and pests, but due to unpredictable weather or excessive moisture there is still a risk of crop disease.

The most common diseases of cucumbers:

1. Gray rot. Dark spots appear on the stem, and a gray coating appears on the fruit. The affected areas are sprinkled and lightly rubbed with ash. Humidification of the crop is suspended - excess watering provokes and intensifies this disease. Also in the fight against gray mold, the drugs “Bayleton” or “Euparen” are used.
2. Powdery mildew. White or red spots appear on the leaves and stem.The affected areas are wiped with wood ash or removed. Plants are also sprayed with mullein solution or colloidal sulfur.
3. White rot. The fruits gradually become covered with white mucus and then begin to rot. In this case, the infected parts are removed or sprinkled with fluff lime. The disease appears due to excessive moisture in plants.
4. Root rot appears as dark spots near the roots. The stem begins to rot, which leads to the death of the roots. The disease is provoked by severe temperature changes, frequent rains or watering. The affected areas are allowed to dry and sprinkled with lime or ash. Plants are moistened only around the bushes. To prevent disease, the soil is disinfected with a solution of potassium permanganate.
5. Mosaic. Light or dark green spots appear on the leaves, then the foliage becomes deformed. Often the disease also affects the fruits. The disease enters through seeds or residues of previous crops. For prevention, grains and soil are disinfected with potassium permanganate. Sick plants are removed.
6. Olive spot. The disease manifests itself in the form of brown spots. Reasons: watering cucumbers with cold water, drafts or frequent rains. If the disease has affected the crop, the cucumbers are not moistened for five days and treated with Oxyx or Bordeaux mixture.

When growing cucumbers, vegetable growers often encounter pests, which greatly reduces yields. The most common insect pests:

1. Spider mite. With its appearance, the foliage becomes covered with small white spots and a thin cobweb. The size of the pest is approximately 0.5 mm. These insects are controlled with the biological preparations “Fitoverm” or “Aktofit”.
2. Whitefly. This is a small white midge that harms cucumbers.To get rid of it, weeds are regularly removed, the foliage is sprayed and washed with water, or the biological product “Boverin” is used.
3. melon aphid. Insects attack foliage, ovaries and flowers. The bushes begin to dry out and the leaves curl. The pest overwinters in the remains of vegetation. Aphids are destroyed with the biological product "Verticillin".

Harvesting and application

When the fruits reach the desired size and weight, they are carefully removed. Cucumbers on bushes should not be overexposed, as this will slow down the development of new cucumbers and weaken the plants. During the period of mass fruiting, the harvest is harvested every other day, especially if the hybrid grows on spread ridges.

Shosha cucumbers are mainly used for making fresh salads. Small green vegetables are great for pickling and home canning.

Advantages and disadvantages

Gardeners fell in love with the Shosha F1 cucumber for its many positive qualities. Advantages of a hybrid:

• gives an early harvest;
• has strong immunity;
• Fruiting takes a long time;
• planting and care do not require much effort;
• high yield (up to 12–14 kg of greens are harvested from 1 sq. m);
• grows well both in a greenhouse and in open ground, and even in small shade;
• versatility of fruit use;
• excellent taste;
• good presentation;
• transportability.

The hybrid has few disadvantages. These include:

• Seeds are not collected from Shosha F1 cucumbers for further sowing, since this is a hybrid, not a variety;
• demands on the garter;
• high cost of seeds.

Shosha has more positive qualities than disadvantages, which is why many summer residents prefer this particular hybrid.

Reviews

Gardeners who have already grown Shosha cucumbers, speak about them mostly in a positive way. This vegetable is cultivated in most regions of the country. Here are reviews from some summer residents.

Ekaterina, Moscow region: “In mid-April, I sowed Shoshi seeds in open ground, and by the end of May, cucumbers began to appear. The germination of the seeds is excellent, and many ovaries are formed. The gherkins taste wonderful, the skin is hard and crispy. Zelentsy have an excellent appearance, they are beautiful, as in the photo, one to one. I use these cucumbers for pickling and canning; they look very appetizing in a jar.”.

Natalia, Mtsensk: “I started gardening recently. I've never grown cucumbers before. The neighbors recommended Shosha. I chose the seedling method for the hybrid. It was transplanted to a permanent place in open ground in May. The cucumber bushes have grown almost two meters tall. I didn’t spend much time on the plants, only watered and weeded as needed. I fertilized it twice with mullein infusion. There were a lot of vegetables produced. Delicious cucumbers were eaten fresh and used for processing. Next time I'll plant even more. Hybrid Shosha is worthy of attention".

Valentina, Rostov-on-Don: “Last year I bought Shosha F1 cucumber seeds at a gardening store. I was pleased with the harvest; I have never had so many vegetables from a hybrid crop before. I grew both our hybrids and Dutch ones, but Shosha was ahead of them all on all counts. It is easy to care for the plantings. Small, smooth and crispy cucumbers have a sweet taste. There are many tubercles and spines, but they are not prickly. The children picked the fruits straight from the bushes, washed them and ate them right away. In general, my family and I really liked the Shosha cucumber.”.

Conclusion

Shosha cucumber is a popular early hybrid that is successfully grown both in greenhouses and in open ground.The cultivation technology of Shoshi is no different from the agricultural technology of other cucumbers.

Experienced summer residents prefer this hybrid for its high stable yield and good resistance to disease. Cucumbers do not have bitterness and retain their aroma and freshness for a long time.