Othello cucumber

Growing any kind of vegetable is not easy. Experienced gardeners carefully select seeds for seedlings. Not only the appearance of the future crop is important, but also its quantity. Othello cucumbers are classified as hybrid varieties - they are bred by crossing two varieties and combine their best qualities: fertility and early maturity.

general characteristics

The breeding work was started by Dutch specialists. Their task was to obtain a new variety that would give high yields with a short ripening period. Their developments were taken over by the Czech company Moravosid. In Russia, F1 cucumber seeds were brought in 1996 and at the same time were entered in the State Register under the name Othello. The variety is sensitive to climate, therefore it is recommended to use it only in the black earth regions of Russia.

Othello cucumber

The popularity of foreign varieties is justified. Due to the "bouquet" type of ovary, a large amount of harvest is formed. They are resistant to different types of diseases:

• fungal;
• viral;
• bacterial.

Cucumbers have a juicy pulp. Czech breeders have been able to develop a variety that never tastes bitter. The fruits are very beautiful and this makes them attractive for conservation. Easily carry long distance transportation. Ideal for salads, canning and other uses.

Description of the variety

The Othello cucumber belongs to the early maturing hybrids. Ripens in a short time. The growing season is 45 days. The main stem reaches a length of 2 meters. The bushes have medium climbing and are actively twisting.

It is pollinated by bees, so it is recommended to plant Othello cucumbers in open ground. It blooms mainly with female flowers. Up to six ovaries are formed in one sinus.

Othello cucumber is pollinated by bees

Fruits are cylindrical in shape of medium size, can reach a length of 12 cm. The dense glossy rind is covered with small tubercles and white thorns. The fruit does not have a neck, the surface has a rich green color. It does not disappear even after heat treatment. The cucumbers are covered with white translucent stripes that reach the middle of the fruit.

The pulp does not contain voids and is crisp, juicy, with a slight hint of sweetness. After preservation, the taste only improves. The harvested crop will be perfectly stored.

Growing technology

Before planting seeds in the ground, they are disinfected. This allows for increased germination, stimulates growth rates and enhances the immunity of the sprouts. Hybrid varieties are recommended to be kept in an aqueous solution of garlic pulp. Garlic waste is ground in a meat grinder and mixed with water (1: 3). The seeds are kept in the solution for about an hour. Then they are folded into cloth bags and placed in a nutrient solution for 12 hours.

After the time has elapsed, the seeds must be removed, rinsed under cold water and laid on clean gauze. They should swell within two days.

Before planting, future seedlings are placed in the refrigerator. Low temperatures will harden them. Sow seeds in separate containers to a depth of 2 cm. The soil should be slightly damp. After about a month, they can be transferred to open ground.

Othello cucumber seedlings

There are different opinions about picking among gardeners. Someone believes that such a transplant injures the seedlings, others are sure that this hardens the seedlings. The main goal of picking is to select only the strongest seedlings for further transplantation into open ground. You need to select only seedlings with good leaves and stable stems. They are carefully taken out of the common box and seated in separate pots.

The advantages of a pick:

• promotes the development of the root system;
• saves space;
• stimulates growth.

After about a month, they can be transferred to open ground. The soil should be neutral (slightly acidic) and light. Nutrients and moisture should penetrate well through it. Previously, the soil is fertilized with humus, this will allow it to warm up. You can add rotted foliage or sawdust to provide aeration.

Othello cucumbers are not frost-resistant, so planting should be planned only in late May-early June.

Secrets of a rich harvest

To get a good harvest, you must follow some recommendations. Regular watering is required. Warm water is used for it. You can not over-flood the plants, but you should not allow the soil to dry out either. During watering, the main thing is not to touch the leaves, otherwise burns may appear on them.

The cucumber beds are regularly cleared of weeds. They can create shade over the plantings, take trace elements from the soil. As a result, vegetables are deprived of nutrients and sunlight. All this affects the yield.

Garden beds

The ground can become crusty and this will prevent oxygen from entering the soil. Therefore, the beds must be constantly loosened. It will also make it easier to feed the root system. Vegetable plantings are fertilized 5 times during the growing season. To do this, use mineral complex fertilizing or a mixture of mullein with bird droppings.

For the growing season, a garter of the main stem is required. It is easy to do it yourself.

Experienced gardeners can make a vertical garter. For her, two wooden posts (approximately 150 cm in length) are placed in the corners of the cucumber beds. A strong string is pulled between them. The ropes are lowered from it and the stems are neatly tied to them. This method does not restrict plant growth. Some advanced garters use a net. The stems themselves weave into it and crawl up.

All ripe fruits must be harvested within 2-3 days. Otherwise, they begin to overripe and this negatively affects their taste.

Growing in a greenhouse

F1 cucumbers are hardly ever grown in greenhouses due to the fact that they must be pollinated by bees. However, you can try doing it instead.

Growing Othello cucumbers in a greenhouse

First you need to learn to distinguish between female and male flowers. Women are loners, they have a thickening at the base. Male flowers grow in groups. Pollinate them with a brush with soft natural bristles. With its help, you need to collect pollen from a male flower and carefully transfer it to a female one.

Another simple method of pollination is that the male flower is carefully plucked, all the petals are cut off and the pollen is gently rubbed into the female flower.

Flowers are pollinated for two weeks. The humidity in the greenhouse should be at 70%.

If there are familiar beekeepers nearby, pollination can be done with the help of bees. To do this, the hive is placed next to the greenhouse. To attract insects, plants are sprayed with a honey mixture (1 teaspoon of honey per liter of water). Good lighting is imperative. To allow insects to move freely, a window is opened in the greenhouse.

Advantages and disadvantages of the variety

Othello cucumbers have certain advantages over other varieties: early ripening, stable fruiting. The harvested crop is distinguished by excellent taste. They are resistant to disease, so you don't have to worry about the safety of the beds.

However, Othello has several disadvantages. It is sensitive to climatic conditions, so in Russia it can only be planted in black earth regions. It is negatively affected by heavy rainfall and temperature drops.

Spider mite

Despite the high level of immunity, F1 cucumbers are still susceptible to certain diseases. Various parasites can attack the beds: aphids, spider mites and others. It is easy to cope with them with insecticidal agents or on your own. Parasites can seriously damage vegetables, so do not delay the fight.

Othello cucumbers are not so popular in the vastness of Russia. They are distinguished by high yields and a quick ripening period. Excellent taste and long shelf life have made this variety famous all over the world. For competent cultivation, you do not need to make serious efforts. All that is required is basic care: organize regular watering, weeding and loosening of the soil. After which the first harvest of fruits will appear a month later.