"Sila Zemli" (Land Power) is a parthenocarpic (self-pollinating) cucumber hybrid with an early ripening season. This new variety, bred in the Urals, has become a favorite among domestic gardeners for its resistance to many dangerous cucumber diseases and its long and consistent fruiting. It is grown in open ground and under unheated plastic shelters.
Introduction to the variety
"Power of the Land" is a creation of Russian breeders, approved for use in 2022. Authorship belongs to the following scientists:
- Aliluev A.V.;
- Steinert T.V.;
- Osintsev K. O.;
- Teplovoy N.S.;
- Sinitsyna Z. P.;
- Shilova O. I.;
- Chuikova Z. D.;
- Dyachok M. A.;
- Larina T. Yu.
This hybrid is considered early maturing. The harvest ripens in June-July. The bushes bear fruit uniformly and for a long time, in clusters (3-4 fruits per node). The yield is high—14.3 kg per square meter in protected soil.
Plants of the hybrid "Power of the Earth" are strong and resilient. They tolerate shade and adverse weather conditions, and adapt well to a variety of growing conditions. They are successfully cultivated in many regions of the Russian Federation:
- Northern;
- North-West;
- Central;
- Volga-Vyatka;
- Central Black Earth Region;
- North Caucasian;
- Middle Volga;
- Lower Volga;
- Ural;
- West Siberian;
- East Siberian;
- Far Eastern.
This vegetable variety is characterized by strong immunity. It is resistant to many cucumber diseases:
- powdery mildew;
- cucumber mosaic virus;
- Cladosporiosis (brown olive spot).
Characteristic features of the appearance of the plant and fruits
The bushes of the 'Power of the Earth' variety are low-growing (of the determinate type) and weakly branched, covered with medium-sized green foliage. They produce exclusively female flowers and are self-pollinating.
The hybrid's fruits are edible at the gherkin stage. Their description includes the following characteristics:
- shortened cylindrical shape;
- weight - 79 g;
- small size (9-10 cm in length);
- large, tuberculate skin of a dark green color with white spiny pubescence;
- dense, crispy flesh without voids, juicy and very aromatic.
Purpose and taste
The flavor of the "Power of the Land" gherkins is universally appreciated. They are predominantly sweet, with a hint of freshness, accented by a vibrant cucumber aroma. The fruits are crisp. They are ideal for eating fresh, pickling, and preserving.
You'll get the most health benefits from raw cucumbers. They're rich in fiber, which is beneficial for your digestive tract.
Growing and care
To grow the cucumber hybrid "Power of the Land," use open garden plots or plastic greenhouses. Follow the sowing schedule:
- the last days of March or the beginning of April - to obtain seedlings (they can be transplanted into open ground after the soil warms up to +15°C and the threat of recurrent frosts has passed);
- end of May - if you are growing the crop using the seedless method by direct sowing of seeds into an open bed.
- ✓ Optimum soil temperature for seed germination: +25°С.
- ✓ The need to use film to cover seeds planted in open ground until seedlings emerge.
The depth of sowing hybrid seeds is not the same depending on the cultivation methods:
- 1.5-2 cm - when sowing for seedlings;
- 1-1.5 cm - for sowing in an open area of the garden.
Grow seedlings at a temperature of +25°C. Provide them with plenty of light, water, and fertilizer. Be sure to cover seeds planted in open ground with plastic film.
Care for your Sila Zemlya hybrid planting properly to ensure a bountiful and high-quality harvest. Follow these steps:
- Watering the garden bedUse only settled, warm water (18-25°C). Water the cucumber plants in the evening or morning before the heat sets in. Avoid getting the leaves wet. Before flowering, water the rows moderately: once a week. During the fruiting period, increase watering to 2-3 times a week.
- Shallow loosening of the soil and regular weedingThese procedures remove weeds and saturate the roots with oxygen.
- FertilizingFertilize the plantings once every 14 days to ensure a high yield. Begin fertilizing after the seedlings have 2-3 true leaves and continue throughout the fruiting period.
Alternate the application of mineral fertilizers with organic fertilizers. The best choices are ammonium phosphate (applicability rate: 10-15 g per 1 sq. m) and a mullein solution. - Prevention of diseases and pest infestationsThis hybrid boasts strong immunity. Its plants rarely suffer from diseases or insect attacks. Follow proper cultivation practices to maintain the health of your cucumber plantings and protect them from pests.
- × Avoid watering with cold water, as this can stress plants and reduce yields.
- × Do not allow the soil to dry out during the fruiting period, as this may cause bitterness in the fruits.
Reviews
Sila Zemli is an early-ripening, self-pollinating cucumber hybrid. It's attracting attention from domestic gardeners due to its high yield, shade tolerance, and resistance to fungal infections. Its plants produce excellent-quality fruit: smooth, neat, delicious, and void-free. It's ideal for pickling and marinating.