The Aquarius variety is relatively new. These hybrid cucumbers were created in 1989 in Russia. The variety was developed for cultivation in the Central and Volgo-Vyatka regions of the country, in the Middle Volga and in the North Caucasus.

Its exact name is Aquarius F1, but this index is usually omitted.

Characteristics of Aquarius cucumbers

The plant of this variety has the following characteristics:

  • main stem 0.6–1 meter long;
  • the average number of first-order shoots is from three to four;
  • leaves are dissected, pentagonal;
  • the plant is pollinated by bees;
  • the ovaries are single, oval, covered with tubercles, there is intense pubescence of brown and white flowers.

Cucumber Aquarius

Description of the fruit itself:

  • varietal greenery has an elongated oval shape;
  • its diameter is from 4 to 4.5 centimeters;
  • the cross-section of the fruit is triangular;
  • length 12-14 cm;
  • weight 110-120 grams;
  • the surface is covered with tubercles, smooth at the base;
  • there is no bitterness in the taste of the fruit, it is juicy and sweetish. Doesn't get bitter, even if grown in dry conditions;
  • the green color remains permanently, the fruit does not turn yellow;

The variety as a whole has the following characteristics:

  • early ripe, fruiting begins 57 days after seedlings appear above the ground;
  • picking fruits - in July and August;
  • zelents are formed amicably, abundantly, at the same time;
  • the yield of the variety is high, from 2.2 to 3.2 kilograms per square meter;
  • long-term fruiting, according to this parameter, the variety surpasses other early ripening ones by one to two weeks;
  • Zelentsy have an excellent presentation and tolerate transportation well.

Growing cucumbers

Aquarius grows best in fertile soil. It is desirable that it be light, loose. In particular, soils of the following nature are suitable:

  • sandy loam;
  • loam, both light and medium;
  • black soil.

Growing

Cucumber Shchedryk

At the same time, this variety will not take root on soils:

  • sod-podzolic;
  • with high acidity.

The best acidity index for a plant is ph 6.5.

Note! In case of excessive acidity, the situation can be corrected by liming the soil.

Lands located in the upper parts of the floodplain and freed from melt water early will become a good place for crops. Also, Aquarius can be successfully grown on virgin soil or fallow lands, if the soil is sufficiently moist.

Cucumber Aquarius is grown mainly in vegetable gardens, in the southern regions of Russia, in some cases the variety is planted in the fields.

Open field cucumbers

You shouldn't plant cucumbers in one place for two years, let alone several. It should be alternated with other cultures. It makes sense to plant the plant after the following predecessors:

  • early varieties of potatoes;
  • white cabbage is also early;
  • cauliflower;
  • tomatoes;
  • eggplant;
  • peas (grown for green peas);
  • pepper;
  • greens;
  • cereals such as alfalfa, oats, buckwheat, corn.

The cucumber itself will be a good precursor to most popular vegetables.

At the same time, there are a number of crops, after which cucumbers will grow poorly. This list includes:

  • white cabbage of late varieties;
  • beets, also late;
  • pumpkin, zucchini and squash (close relatives of cucumbers);
  • melons (melons and watermelons);
  • beans.

Aquarius cucumber seedlings can be grown independently by purchasing seeds or purchased ready-made.

Seedling

To grow seedlings on your own, you need to prepare them after purchasing seeds. one of the following methods (optional):

  • soaking (wrap in a damp cloth);
  • hardening (storage for two days in a refrigerator at temperatures from zero to +2).

Then the seeds are planted in separate containers, these can be plastic cups. They are filled with a soil mixture (equal proportions of soil from the garden, peat and sand) and a seed (or two) is placed in all glasses to a depth of 1.5–2 centimeters. Plants are placed to the window on the south side or to the balcony. It makes sense to constantly illuminate them with fluorescent lamps.

Important! When buying ready-made seedlings, you should choose seedlings no older than a month. It is desirable that they have a strong, not thinned trunk.

In the Non-Black Earth Region, it is recommended to plant Aquarius no earlier than mid-May. In the second half of this month, the temperature at night stably remains at a minimum level (not lower than + 12 ° C), suitable for this plant, and serious frosts are already unlikely. In more southern regions, sowing is allowed in the first half of March or even in early April. In the future, the hybrid will mature optimally if the temperature is kept in the range from 20 to 25 degrees.

The optimal distance between plants is 10–12 centimeters.

Before planting, it is recommended to prepare the soil:

  • add 10 to 15 kg of manure for each square meter of soil;
  • add a combined fertilizer containing 30 g of superphosphate, 20 g of urea, 20 g of potassium sulfate.

Fertilizer

When growing a cucumber of the Aquarius variety, you need to follow some recommendations:

  • After planting, the seedlings must be covered with foil.
  • It is advisable to tie the main stem of each individual plant to the trellis to give it a horizontal direction. Otherwise, the stems may begin to intertwine. Also, the garter will make it possible to more efficiently use the space of the garden.
  • All the time while the cucumbers are growing, it is necessary to loosen the soil around the plants (about once every ten days, the best time is the next day after watering or rain), acting carefully so that their roots, which are located relatively close to the surface, do not suffer. This uses a pitchfork.
  • You need to water the garden bed as needed.
  • If the weather is relatively hot, it is required to water the garden bed every evening with warm water (25-28 ° C) under the root. In the morning, water the leaves if necessary. If the temperature is moderate, one watering every five days in the proportion of 10 liters of water per 1 m2 is enough. If it rains regularly, watering can be reduced.
  • During the period of fruit ripening, it is necessary to make 2 or 3 additional fertilizing with a complex of fertilizers, soluble in water.

Benefits of the variety

Cucumber Christina

The varietal advantages of Aquarius include the following:

  • very early fruiting;
  • synchronous ripening of fruits;
  • comparatively longer harvesting period, up to two weeks longer than other early varieties;
  • fruits have excellent taste;
  • they are perfectly stored and do not turn yellow;
  • suitable for salting.

With proper care, Aquarius will not disappoint and will yield an excellent harvest.