Description of the Dragoon cucumber variety, cultivation and disease prevention

Cucumbers are a beloved and indispensable staple on our tables. When choosing a variety to grow, consider the Dragun F1 cucumber. Experienced gardeners report that growing this hybrid will yield a wonderful, abundant harvest. Its resistance to common diseases is another compelling argument in favor of this variety.

Appearance and main characteristics

The Dragoon cucumber variety is parthenocarpic. The plant is medium-sized, with predominantly female flowers. Ripening takes 40 to 45 days. The ovaries are bunch-shaped, and the cucumbers grow in nodes of two, sometimes three.

The fruits are cylindrical in shape with rounded edges. They are short, averaging about 10 cm in length, but some specimens reach up to 12 cm. The diameter is up to 4 cm. Ripe fruits weigh 70 to 90 grams and are firm, sturdy fruits with thin skin and noticeable white pubescence.

Reviews of the Dragoon variety are mostly positive, with excellent flavor. These cucumbers are recommended for both raw consumption and canning.

The advantages of the Dragoon variety include high yields, disease resistance, low maintenance, few side shoots, and a lack of serious drawbacks. After their initial cultivation, most gardeners continue to grow the hybrid.

Features of cultivation

Growing cucumbers using seedlings will help bring the harvest closer—reviews indicate a shorter ripening time. Care is recommended to avoid damaging the roots, which could negatively impact yield.

To avoid having to remove the seedlings when replanting, experienced gardeners use peat pots. Cucumbers are placed in separate containers in pre-prepared holes. Another advantage of this method is that the peat pot decomposes over time in the soil, turning into a beneficial fertilizer that nourishes the roots.

Water cucumbers to maintain a balance between moisture and dryness in the soil. Both excessive and frequent watering and prolonged droughts negatively impact future harvests. It's best to water vegetables in the evening, using warm, but not too hot, water.

To avoid plant burns, it's best to use drip irrigation. This method eliminates the risk of numerous water droplets landing on leaves, which can lead to burns from direct sunlight.

It's best to choose a level spot for cucumbers. It's also important to keep in mind that the hybrid is sensitive to drafts. Therefore, it's best to select a sunny spot for cucumber beds, but not one that's exposed to strong winds.

Plant the seeds 2 to 3 cm deep in the soil and then cover with protective film. Fertilizing the holes with ash and compost before planting will help reduce damage to the plants. However, keep in mind that this method will delay the ripening of the cucumbers by an average of 2 to 3 weeks.

Once the first shoots appear, you need to remove the protective film, as future cucumbers may suffocate under the cover due to exposure to sunlight.

Regularly loosening the soil can improve oxygen supply to the roots and prevent excessive soil drainage. Regular fertilizing will speed up the growth process. Alternating mineral and organic fertilizers is recommended.

Cucumbers grown horizontally will be able to receive more oxygen and, as a result, will not be susceptible to rotting.

Weeds are the main source of diseases and various pests. Timely identification and control of weeds is the key to a bountiful harvest in the future.

Disease resistance

The variety is fairly resistant to the main diseases common to other cucumbers. Powdery mildew, olive spot, and cucumber mosaic virus are all diseases the Dragun can withstand. This result was achieved through successful breeding.

To prevent other diseases, you can use special plant protection and treatment products.

It is important to note that exposure to chemical treatment after flowering is unsafe for human health. Therefore, it should be carried out exclusively before flowering.

The Dragoon variety produces an excellent harvest, and proper cultivation and care are essential. The hybrid's undemanding nature, resistance to major diseases, and excellent taste make it a popular choice among gardeners and cucumber lovers.