How to properly grow the Dutch hybrid cucumber “Trilogy f1” to achieve a good harvest
The Dutch hybrid cucumber Trilogy F1 appeared on the market recently. Its distinctive features are early fruiting, high yield and pleasant taste. In this article we will look at the characteristics of the hybrid, its advantages and disadvantages, as well as the features of its cultivation.
Description of cucumbers
Trilogy F1 is a young hybrid bred by the Dutch company Rijk Zwaan.. Zoned in the Central and Northwestern regions. First generation hybrid, refers to self-pollinating plants.
Fruit ripening occurs 39-41 days from planting. Trilogy F1 characterized as unpretentious, high-yielding and disease-resistant.
Distinctive features
Main characteristics of the hybrid:
- Stress-resistant. The yield is not affected by changes in temperature, humidity and other weather conditions.
- Parthenocarpic. Unlike varieties, the fruits of this hybrid do not require additional pollination. The plant produces female flowers that form ovaries in the axils of the leaves.
- Indeterminate. The shoots reach up to two meters in height, but do not grow in width.
- High yielding. Reaches 320-650 c/ha.
- Disease resistant.
- Highly transportable. The fruits can easily be transported over long distances. This quality allows Trilogy F1 to be grown commercially.
Composition and benefits
Cucumber contains vitamins A, B1, B2, B9 (folic acid) and C, iron, phosphorus, potassium, sodium, manganese, chlorine, chromium, copper, zinc, iodine, silver. Calorie content per 100 g of fresh vegetables is 18.4 kcal, salted - 11.2 kcal, pickled - 16.1 kcal.
The nutritional value:
- proteins – 0.7 g;
- carbohydrates – 3.9 g;
- fats – 0;
- water - 95-97%.
The substances that make up cucumber have such influence on the body:
- have a positive effect on the functioning of the thyroid gland - due to the content of 0.003 mg of iodine;
- restore metabolism;
- reduce the risk of stone formation in internal organs - thanks to the large amount of alkaline salts;
- normalize blood pressure - due to the high potassium content (147 mg).
Keep in mind, if you have stomach diseases, this is a direct contraindication to eating cucumbers.
Characteristics
The plant is low-growing with medium branching, with unlimited growth of the central trunk. Reaches 2 m in height or more. The fruits grow on the main trunk; the side shoots do not bear fruit.
Important! To slow down growth, it is necessary to pinch the shoots.
The hybrid is self-pollinating, so the flowering is stable and the yield is high. 3-4 ovaries may appear in one leaf axil.
The fruits are cylindrical and dark green in color.. Length - approximately 10 cm, weight - 60-80 g. The skin has spots and medium pubescence, the surface is finely tuberculate, the spines are white. Productivity reaches 320-650 c/ha.
Fruit have crispy, juicy flesh without bitterness. The skin is not rough, without much flavor. Harvesting occurs when the fruits take on the appearance of gherkins.
Hybrid universal in use. Cucumbers are great for eating both fresh and in canned.
Important! Trilogy is great for canning.
How to grow your own
The hybrid is grown by seedlings and seed methods. It grows well both in open ground and indoors. Plants do not like heavy soils, so they are planted mainly in sandy loam. Recommended ground temperature is +15-17°C.
Good predecessors - onions, carrots, peppers, cabbage. Do not plant cucumbers after pumpkin ones, as there is a high risk of infection with “family” diseases and pest invasions.
Planting by seeds and seedlings
Sowing by seedlings begins in mid-April. Due to poor tolerance to transplantation, cucumbers are sown immediately in separate containers. To grow seedlings, use light and moisture-absorbing soil with the addition of compost. After filling the vessel with soil, water it and place one seed in each one in the moist soil.
After this, cover with a 1-2 cm layer of soil. At first, watering is carried out carefully - it is recommended to use a spray bottle. The seedlings are removed to a warm, illuminated place where the temperature is maintained at +25-28°C, and covered with glass or film.
After the emergence of seedlings, the covering material is removed, and the temperature is lowered by about 10°C and left for five days.
Important! If this is not done, the seedlings will stretch out and be weak.
After 2-3 full-fledged leaves appear, the seedlings are planted in open ground.. This is done in early May, on beds prepared in advance, in rows. It is recommended to leave the distance between future bushes of the Trilogy F1 hybrid at 40-50 cm. The seeds are placed in moist soil to a depth of 1.5-2 cm and gently sprinkled with soil.
To maintain heat and retain moisture, the bed is covered with film. If you follow the rules of care, fruiting begins on average after 40 days after sowing.
Growing in stages and care
After sowing, plants require constant attention. Standard care includes:
- Timely watering. It is carried out in the evening, with warm water, once every three days.
- Weeding – as weeds grow.
- Loosening - between waterings.
- Feeding. Fertilizers are applied in liquid form and the procedure is combined with watering. The hybrid responds well to a solution of bird droppings and mineral complexes. During the growing season, Trilogy cucumbers are fed 5-6 times with an interval of two weeks.
In hot, long-lasting weather, shading material is used. Harvesting takes place from June to September.
Features of cultivation and possible difficulties
One of the features of a hybrid is its indetermination. Therefore, many inexperienced gardeners have difficulties with the correct formation of plants, which has a great impact on the volume of the harvest.
First of all, the main shoot should be tied to a trellis, the side stepsons should be removed, leaving only the ovaries. At a height of up to 50 cm from the ground, not only the side shoots are cut off, but also the ovaries.
When the central shoot grows to the trellis, it is carefully wrapped around it and pinched after 50-100 cm, leaving 2-3 side shoots in the nodes at this interval. The remaining shoots of the first and second order are pinched after the fourth leaf. The plant regulates the number of ovaries on them independently.
Important! Self-pollinating cucumber hybrids cannot be grown next to vegetable crops pollinated by bees.
Diseases and pests
Hybrid cucumber Trilogy F1 is resistant to:
- brown spot (cladosporiosis);
- cucumber mosaic virus;
- powdery mildew.
Moderately resistant hybrid to peronosporosis.
To prevent diseases and damage by pests, you should:
- follow the rules of agricultural technology;
- weed the plants regularly;
- do not place new crops next to old ones;
- carry out sanitary treatment of agricultural equipment;
- destroy rejected cucumbers and green mass.
remember, that plants get sick more often when growing them for several years in a row in the same place.
If prevention doesn't help, and the leaves begin to turn yellow and dry out, then the dead parts of the plant are removed and burned, and the rest is treated with the fungicide “Ridomil”, “Kurzat” or a 0.5% solution of Bordeaux mixture.
Common pests of cucumbers — spider mite, aphid, thrips. Actellik, Talstar and other drugs are used against them. The biological product “Actofit” is also effective in combating spider mites (its maximum effectiveness is at temperatures above +18-20˚C).
Important! When growing cucumbers in a greenhouse, it is regularly ventilated, since high temperature and humidity stimulate the occurrence of diseases.
Harvesting and application
Hybrid Trilogy F1 - early ripening. It takes 39-41 days to produce fruits. The fruits ripen at approximately the same time, so they are harvested every other day.
To preserve the marketable appearance, the fruits should be:
- store in a cool, dry place at temperatures from 0 to +4°C;
- avoid temperature changes;
- select fresh, whole specimens without damage or signs of decay for storage;
- store in sand boxes or disposable bags.
The hybrid is great for canning and pickling.The fruits have a medium-thick skin, so they are quickly soaked in brine, which is why they turn out crispy when salted and pickled.
Advantages and disadvantages
Advantages of the Dutch hybrid:
- high productivity;
- simultaneous ripening of fruits;
- disease resistance;
- high stress resistance;
- self-pollinating;
- early ripening.
Trilogy F1 has few disadvantages:
- risk of peronosporosis;
- complex plant formation.
Reviews
Numerous reviews from summer residents characterize the hybrid as high-yielding and disease-resistant.
Vera, Yaroslavl: “I collected 4 kg from a bush. The cucumbers grew small and plump, with small frequent tubercles. The pulp is dense and no holes formed in it when salted. Excellent taste both fresh and canned. After the season, I identified several disadvantages: the bush is difficult to form and is susceptible to changes in air temperature. There are more advantages: excellent taste and appearance, good yield, dislike of frequent watering, resistance to most diseases".
Lyubov, Ryazan: “I’ve been planting a hybrid for several years now. I give him first place after Masha and German. Very early, the fruits are tasty, even, if they outgrow, they are not large. Late blight does not cause severe diseases and is very hardy. One drawback is its price.".
Conclusion
The Trilogy F1 cucumber hybrid is easy to grow yourself. The main thing is to follow the rules of agricultural technology and pay attention to the plants so that they grow healthy and produce a rich harvest.
Numerous reviews about it fully confirm the stated characteristics. The hybrid is unpretentious, high-yielding and disease-resistant. We advise you to try growing it on your own plot!