Characteristics and description of the Izyashny cucumber variety, yield and cultivation

Most heat-loving vegetable crops don't germinate well in cold regions. However, this can't be said for the Izyashny cucumber variety. The plant produces fruit early, which is especially important when grown in Siberia or northern Russia. This variety is notable for its good yield even when grown outdoors.

History of the culture's development

The first official descriptions of the Izyashny cucumber variety date back to 1971. This vegetable variety was originally bred specifically for cultivation in Siberia and the Urals.

Advantages and disadvantages

According to gardeners' reviews, this bee-pollinated cucumber variety has the following advantages:

• early fruiting;
• low maintenance requirements;
• rich taste of the fruits;
• good frost resistance;
• relatively low cost of planting material;
• Overripe cucumbers do not become covered with yellow spots.

An important feature of the Izyashny cucumber variety for residents of northern regions is that the fruits remain crispy for a long time after pickling.

Because the plant was originally bred for northern regions, this crop is not known for its high yield. If gardeners harvest the fruit late, the cucumber skin becomes rough. Another drawback of this vegetable is that the number of male flowers on the stems significantly exceeds the number of female flowers, making self-pollination difficult. For this reason, the Izyashny cucumber variety is not grown in greenhouses.

External description of the Izyashny variety

With proper care, the Izyashny variety produces its first harvest within 45-55 days after planting. This early fruiting can be achieved by regularly feeding the plant with appropriate fertilizers.

The Izyashny cucumber variety is oblong, reaching 10 centimeters in length. The average weight of a single cucumber ranges from 120 to 150 grams.

Main characteristics

The Izyashny cucumber variety is recommended for planting outdoors due to the small number of female flowers on the tops (the plant is not self-pollinating). This vegetable requires little care and boasts branched stems that reach 1.8 meters in length.

Pollination, flowering, yield

As mentioned, the Izyashchny cucumber variety is pollinated by insects. The plant thrives in open, sunny areas and with ample watering. Despite its increased frost resistance, its development is slower in low temperatures. To prevent disease, it is recommended to cover the cucumber bed with plastic during cold weather.

The Izyashchny variety is a fast-growing plant. The first ripe fruits appear on the bushes within 1.5-2 months after planting. The crop produces a bountiful harvest. However, the plant's growth declines rapidly after the first fruits are harvested. On average, up to 6 kilograms of cucumbers can be harvested from one square meter.

Susceptibility to diseases and pests

The Izyashny cucumber variety is distinguished by its increased resistance to adverse environmental conditions. This characteristic simplifies cultivation. However, during rainy and cool summers, white spots often appear on the leaf surface, indicating powdery mildew.

In addition to this fungal disease, this cucumber variety is susceptible to aphid attacks. These pests often attack densely planted plants.

To prevent infection, it is recommended to purchase high-quality seeds and follow the planting requirements of the crop, avoiding shaded areas.

How to grow a variety in a plot?

The Izyashchny variety is convenient because it's suitable for both growing seedlings and sowing seeds directly into the ground. In both cases, early June is considered the optimal time for germination.

Sowing seeds and planting seedlings

It's recommended to sow seeds for seedlings approximately one month before planting outdoors. To do this:

• Sow seeds into prepared soil at a distance of 10 centimeters from each other;
• cover the container with seeds with plastic wrap;
• keep the container with seeds in a room at a temperature of up to 30 degrees;
• When the first sprouts appear, remove the polyethylene and water the seedlings.

Finally, the plant box should be placed on a windowsill in a ventilated room. During this period, it is recommended to periodically apply mineral fertilizer. To ensure normal seedling growth, the room temperature should be between 16 and 22 degrees Celsius during the day and no more than 20 degrees Celsius at night.

After the allotted time, the seedlings are planted in open ground, which should be fertilized with manure or wood ash in the fall.

Optimal timing

The planting time depends on the current ambient temperature. Since this variety is early maturing, seedlings are transferred from the container to the garden bed in early June.

Preparatory work

Initial preparation for planting cucumbers takes place in the fall. Before the cold weather sets in, it's recommended to dig the bed, adding phosphate fertilizer or ash, and removing weeds. Shortly before planting, the soil is fertilized again. During this period, cow manure or humus can be used.

Step-by-step guide to sowing and planting

It's recommended to plant cucumbers in soil warmed to 15-17 degrees Celsius. If sowing seeds directly into the soil, they should first be soaked in salted water. Seeds that float to the surface are not suitable for sowing. Then, soak the seedlings in a weak solution of potassium permanganate for 30 minutes.

Once the preparatory stage is complete, you can begin sowing the seeds or transplanting the seedlings. To do this, moisten the soil and make several holes up to 1.5 centimeters in diameter in the bed. Plants are spaced 20-30 centimeters apart. Finally, 1 meter from the hole, insert the trellis and water the bed. To ensure the soil retains moisture for a long time, mulch the soil with compost afterward.

Caring for the crop

The Izyashchny cucumber variety is easy to grow. Regular watering and fertilizing are essential for healthy growth. Spraying the leaves with insecticides is also recommended to prevent infestations.

What and how to fertilize the plant?

Organic or mineral fertilizers are used for fertilizing cucumbers. The latter are applied directly under the bush. If liquid fertilizers are used, the fertilizer should be sprayed on the leaves.

Organic fertilizers

To feed the Izyashny variety of cucumbers, use:

• cow dung infusion (mix with water in a ratio of 1:5, leave for a week and add more liquid in a ratio of 1:10);
• bird droppings (mix with water in a ratio of 1:20, leave for 10 days and add liquid again in a ratio of 1:10);
• infusion of weeds (mix with water in a ratio of 1:2 and leave for three days).

Organic fertilizer is applied one week after planting the cucumbers. The procedure is then repeated every 10 days.

Mineral fertilizers

The following brands of fertilizers are used as mineral fertilizer for cucumbers:

• Bio-Master;
• Agricola;
• Zeovit Cucumbers.

You can also make your own mineral fertilizer by mixing 7 grams of potassium sulfate, 10 grams of superphosphate, 20 grams of urea, and 10 liters of water. This fertilizer should be applied to the plant's roots immediately after watering.

Watering rules

It's recommended to water cucumbers 1-2 times a week using warm, settled water. It's important to avoid waterlogging, as overwatering can lead to powdery mildew. Watering should be done in the morning, so the bed can dry before the evening cools off.

Formation of the whip

Most of the flowers on the Izyashny cucumber variety are male. Therefore, this plant rarely needs pinching to form a vine. However, in some cases, this procedure may be necessary.

To form a vine, it is recommended to remove the main branch at 4-6 leaves. Lateral shoots should be trained toward the trellis. Another method of vine formation used by gardeners is to press the lateral shoots to the ground to encourage new roots to develop.

Loosening and weeding the soil

The cucumber bed should be loosened after each watering. This procedure is especially important during flowering and fruiting. If weeds are found, they should be removed from the bed.

Preventive treatments

The Izyashny cucumber variety is not self-pollinating. Therefore, during flowering, it is recommended to spray the leaves with sugar or honey syrup to attract bees.

To prevent the development of powdery mildew, it is necessary to treat the plant with a weak solution of mullein.

If white spots are found on the leaves, the affected parts of the bush should be removed and potassium fertilizer applied.

To combat aphids, spray with a solution of 200 grams of wood ash, 10 liters of water and 50 grams of laundry soap.

Elegant Cucumber: Reviews from Experienced Gardeners

Alexander, 48 years old, Oryol

"I've been choosing these cucumbers for several seasons now. Summers in Oryol are unpredictable, but this variety has never let me down. The only drawback is the relatively low yield. However, the cucumbers have a pleasant flavor, don't taste bitter, and keep well in the refrigerator."

Nikolay, 40 years old, Barnaul

"Growing cucumbers in the Altai region can be challenging. That's why I've been planting the Izyashny variety in recent years. This cucumber variety is impressive because it produces a consistent harvest when grown outdoors and doesn't require much maintenance."