White Dragon f1 is a hybridized cucumber variety, offering numerous positive qualities. It boasts strong disease resistance, generous yields, and a long fruiting period. These mid-season cucumbers have a 100% germination rate.
Introduction to the variety
This variety has a unique and most unexpected appearance and excellent flavor. It is self-pollinating and parthenocarpic, which promotes maximum productivity.
Other features:
- It is an early-ripening variety – from the formation of the first green stems to the harvest of the first fruits, only 40-50 days pass, making it one of the fastest-growing on the market.
- The variety is resistant to adverse weather and climate factors, including sudden temperature changes.
- Can grow in various climatic conditions.
- The hybrid is self-pollinating, being parthenocarpic, producing only female buds. Bees aren't even required for ovary formation.
- Due to their parthenocapic nature, the seeds are sown not only in the garden, but also in greenhouse conditions – under film covers, in structures made of polycarbonate, glass, etc.
- The variety is intended for salad use.
- Its resistance is excellent – White Dragon is resistant to rain and drought, but not to strong gusts of wind. It easily resists many diseases and pests common to cucumbers.
External characteristics of the plant and cucumbers
The plant's vines grow to 270-300 cm and are distinguished by robust branches with moderately developed lateral stems. White Dragon stands out for its female inflorescences, which are a rich, bright yellow. Cucumbers also have other varietal characteristics:
- The fruits are covered with an almost white skin with large tuberculate formations (there are a small number of them) and rare whitish spines.
- The flesh of the cucumbers is also light, dense and without voids.
- The plant is moderately branched.
- The leaves are light green in color, and at each node a maximum of 2 female flowers are formed.
- The fruits are quite elongated – from 25 to 30 cm and weigh from 240 to 320 g.
Taste and purpose
Its primary use is fresh consumption. Its fruits have a velvety-sweet flavor without being cloying. The aroma is very refreshing and refined, adding a special aroma to any dish.
How to plant?
The hybrid is sown in the second month of spring (for seedlings) or in the last days of May (by sowing). The technique is usually influenced by regional factors: in cooler zones, seedlings are preferred, while in southern regions, sowing in garden beds is preferred.
Where to plant?
For gardening this variety, choose soil rich in mineralized elements. Choose beds facing south. Although it tolerates shade well, sunny locations are best.
- ✓ The soil should be neutral or slightly acidic (pH 6.0-7.0).
- ✓ The site must be protected from strong winds, especially from the north side.
In the fall, be sure to clear the area of weeds and plant debris, till it with manure, and leave it there for the winter. When spring arrives, clear the area of all plant and other debris again and prepare the holes for planting.
Peculiarities of planting seedlings
To begin planting, prepare small containers and fill them with loose, fertile soil mix, adding a small amount of loosening material (peat or sand). Plant the White Dragon seeds at a depth of 1 to 2 cm. After planting, moisten the surface and move the containers to a sunny location at a temperature of 25-27°C.
- ✓ Lighting should be at least 12 hours a day; if necessary, use phytolamps.
- ✓ Air humidity should be maintained at 70-75%.
How to transplant seedlings into open ground?
Transplant the seedlings to their permanent locations 25-27 days after they emerge. At this point, the cucumber sprouts will reach a height of 20-28 cm and have developed several leaves. Plant in soil with a thermometer reading of 14-15°C, pitting the seedlings at a depth and width equal to the root system of the seedlings. The planting pattern is 60-65 x 80-85 cm.
After planting the seedlings in the garden, water the seedlings with warm water using a watering can with a spray nozzle, focusing only on the root zone. Be sure to cover the beds with a thick plastic sheet to allow the plants to acclimate to the new conditions.
How to care for it properly?
Cucumbers are a crop that requires special attention and care. However, the White Dragon variety is easy to grow and doesn't require any complicated care. Just follow a few simple guidelines:
- Water the bushes 2-4 times a week. Increase the frequency during dry periods. Typically, each bush requires up to 3.5-4.5 liters of warm water, pre-warmed by the sun. The best time to water in open beds is evening, while in greenhouses, early morning is preferable.
- Fertilize your plant beds three times per season, approximately every 3-4 weeks. Apply fertilizer after watering or rain to prevent burning the plants and root system. It's important to alternate mineral fertilizers with organic mixtures.
- Harvest cucumbers early in the morning. White Dragon f1 cucumbers are harvested every one to two or three days, allowing the fruit time to fully ripen.
- × Watering with cold water can shock the root system and slow down growth.
- × Overwatering increases the risk of fungal diseases.
Reviews
Various methods are suitable for successfully cultivating the unusually light-colored White Dragon cucumbers: open beds, plastic greenhouses, and heated greenhouses. The plant requires ample sunlight, so it should be grown in open areas or well-lit greenhouses. It is resistant to temperature fluctuations and requires little maintenance.