Eggplant is not the easiest vegetable to grow, especially in the middle lane and the Siberian region. He needs a long and warm summer, fertile soil, and simply increased attention. The appearance of the hybrid King of the North F1 partially solved the problem: it is characterized by cold resistance, unpretentiousness and the ability to bear fruit well not in the most favorable weather conditions.
Description of the hybrid King of the North F1, its characteristics, region of cultivation
Eggplant King of the North F1 appeared recently, is still not included in the State Register of selection achievements, the regions of its cultivation are not legally defined. However, all its known properties suggest that this hybrid can be planted wherever eggplants can be grown in principle. It has a high yield of beautiful fruits and amazing resistance to cold weather.
King of the North F1 is an early ripening hybrid suitable for cultivation both in greenhouse conditions and in unprotected soil. According to numerous observations of gardeners, the first fruits reach technical ripeness 110-120 days after sowing seeds. Bred for the northern regions of our country, included in the risky farming zone, but grown everywhere.
The bushes are quite tall, 60-70 cm, but often, especially in greenhouses, reach 1 meter. However, they are not always tied up: with not too many fruits that have begun to set, the bush keeps them on its own. This is all the more justified by the fact that the fruits are mainly located in the lower part of the bush, or even lie on the ground. Leaves of medium size, green, with lighter veins. The flowers are medium-sized, violet with a purple tint. The peduncle is bearingless, which facilitates harvesting.
Bushes of the King of the North F1 are compact, but the fruits often lie on the ground
The total yield is above average, up to 10-12 kg / m2. From one bush you can get up to 12 fruits, but their setting and ripening are not simultaneous, it is stretched for 2-2.5 months. In open ground, fruiting lasts until the end of summer, and September also takes hold in greenhouses.
Fruits are elongated, almost cylindrical, slightly curved, often grow in bundles, like bananas. Their length reaches 30 cm, but since they are thin (not thicker than 7 cm in diameter), the average weight does not exceed 200 g. Record holders grow to 40-45 cm in length and 300-350 g of weight. Coloring dark purple, almost black, with a strong sheen. The pulp is white, excellent, but the usual eggplant taste, without bitterness, but also without any interesting features.
The purpose of the crop is universal: the fruits are fried, stewed, canned, frozen, made caviar. At a temperature of 1-2 aboutWith a relative humidity of 85-90%, fruits can be stored for up to a month, which is very good indicator for eggplant. They are normal and transported over long distances.
Video: King of the North F1 in the country
Appearance
Both the hybrid bush and its ripened fruits look very elegant. Of course, this happens only in case of conscientious care, when the bushes are properly formed, watered and fed on time, and the fruits are allowed to ripen normally and are not overexposed on the bushes.
The fruit of this eggplant is sometimes similar to a bunch of bananas, but it happens that they grow individually
Advantages and disadvantages, features, differences from other varieties
The king of the north F1 is known not so long ago, but has already earned many positive reviews. True, sometimes they are contradictory: what some gardeners consider to be a virtue, others regard it as a lack. So, you can read that the fruits of the hybrid taste great, but without frills or piquancy. Nearby, other lovers write something like: "Well, how great is it if it is no different from the taste of other eggplants?".
Among its undoubted advantages are the following.
- Highest cold resistance. It can grow and bear fruit in seasons that are cold throughout and characterized by sharp temperature fluctuations. At the same time, unlike most varieties of eggplant, it does not tolerate heat, which inhibits its cultivation in the southern regions. But the conditions of the middle zone, Siberia, the North-West region are quite suitable for him. Even at temperatures close to 0 aboutC, hybrid bushes are not damaged.
- Good ripening of seeds and, as a consequence, their subsequent high germination. It is believed that for eggplant germination of prepared seeds of about 70% is very good. The king of the north, unlike other varieties, shows these percentages for dry seeds.
- Unpretentiousness to growing conditions. Some stages of agricultural technology when growing this hybrid can be skipped altogether. The bush does not require garter and formation. Its seedlings perfectly take root both in greenhouses and in open ground.
- Increased disease resistance. Such dangerous diseases as powdery mildew, various types of rot, late blight, are uncharacteristic for him even in cold and wet years.
- Good taste and versatility in the use of fruits. It is often said that in its aroma mushroom notes play too weakly, but this is not a mushroom! (Although, of course, Emerald F1 is also not a mushroom, but to taste it completely replaces mushroom caviar). But in general, the taste of the fruit is not worse than most other varieties.
- High commercial quality, preservation and transportability of fruits. These properties make the hybrid commercially viable; they can be grown not only on personal farms.
- High yield. On the forums you can find messages that only 5 kg were received from 1 m2. Of course, 5 kg is not very small, but more often there are reports of 10-12 kg, or even higher. Such productivity is associated with prolonged flowering and can be achieved, of course, only if a long summer regime is created.
Since nothing happens without flaws, they are inherent in the King of the North. True, these are mainly relative shortcomings.
- Not everyone likes long fruits. This is manifested both in cooking and in cultivation. Yes, for some dishes it is more convenient to have thick, barrel-shaped or pear-shaped fruits. Well, what there are ... In addition, because of the length, they often lie on the ground and get dirty. But you can fight this by laying a layer of dry mulch under the fruits, or even, as in the case of pumpkins, plywood or boards.
- The impossibility of self-propagation. Yes, the King of the North is a hybrid, and collecting seeds from him is pointless; you have to buy annually. But, unfortunately, this misfortune overtakes summer residents, not only in the case of eggplant.
- Not everyone likes a simple taste, without frills. Indeed, this hybrid has a standard eggplant flavor. But he is completely devoid of bitterness, which, in turn, is rather a virtue.
Features of cultivation and planting
Apparently, there are apparently no official documents on the features of growing a hybrid, but from numerous reports of amateurs it follows that they can’t do without shelters even in the suburbs, and even more so in Siberia or the Urals. However, shelter is required for this eggplant only for the first time, since it is necessary to plant seedlings in open ground when this summer has not yet arrived. The agricultural technology of the King of the North is generally similar to that of any early varieties or hybrids of eggplant and does not provide for anything superfluous. Of course, it will not be possible to grow it by sowing seeds into the soil, except in the southern regions, so you have to prepare seedlings. Sowing seeds for seedlings is necessary just during the celebration of March 8. Well, or in front of him to give his wife a gift. Or immediately after, to remove the blame.
Growing seedlings includes techniques well known to gardeners, it is best to do without picking, immediately sow in large pots, ideally peat. This procedure is long and difficult, includes:
- seed and soil disinfection;
- hardening of seeds and their treatment with growth stimulants;
- sowing in peat pots;
- weekly temperature drop to 16-18 aboutC immediately after emergence;
- maintaining temperature 23-25 aboutC subsequently;
- moderate watering and 2-3 weak top dressing;
- hardening seedlings before planting in the ground.
Seedlings at the age of 60-70 days are ready for planting in the ground. The beds should be formed in advance, the soil is very well seasoned with humus and ash with the addition of small doses of mineral fertilizers. Plant eggplants even in a greenhouse, even in open ground, at a soil temperature of at least 15 aboutC. If real summer has not yet arrived (average daily temperature has not reached 18-20 aboutC), temporary film shelters are required. Eggplant is planted without deepening, without violating the root system.
Often the King of the North F1 is not tied up, but if possible, it is better to do it
The bushes of this hybrid are not too large, so the layout may be average: 40 cm in rows and 60 cm between them. On 1 m2 5-6 plants fall. In addition to the general fertilizer of the bed, a handful of humus and a little wood ash are added to each well, abundantly watered with warm water.
Plant care includes watering, fertilizing, cultivating, forming bushes. Shelter can be removed immediately, as the seedlings take root: in the future, the King of the North is not afraid of cold weather. Yellowing leaves should be removed, all lateral shoots up to the first inflorescence and extra ovaries, leaving 7-10 fruits. The main pest of the hybrid is the Colorado potato beetle, it is better to collect it manually and destroy it.
In the case of cold and wet summers, late blight can attack, but the King of the North's resistance to it is above average.
The eggplant does not need extra water, but the soil should be slightly moist all the time. And since the bushes absorb water in considerable quantities, you will have to water first once a week, and then more. Mulching the soil helps in solving the problem of irrigation. They are fed as needed: in the first half of summer they use organic matter, then ash, superphosphate and potassium sulfate.
Harvesting this eggplant begins a month after closing the flowers. Eggplants must be removed on time, when they grow to the required size, acquire a characteristic color and gloss. Unripe fruits are rude and tasteless, overripe ones get unpleasant veins. Eggplant is cut with secateurs along with a 2-3 cm long stem. Timely removal of the fruits allows the emergence of a new one. The fruits of the King of the North are stored for a relatively long time, up to a month, but in a refrigerator with an air temperature of 1-2 aboutFROM.
So that the fruits do not get dirty, it is better to put something flat and clean under them
Grade Reviews
The King of the North is early and fruitful, but not tasty (you can buy such ones in the store too, why bother with them?), Therefore he completely refused him.
Protasov
//dacha.wcb.ru/index.php?hl=&showtopic=58396
Last year I planted the King of the Market and the King of the North (the flowers were not large dark purple) - from 6 bushes of the King of the North, about 2 buckets of eggplant grew, but from 6 pcs. King of the market - not a single fruit.
"gklepets"
//www.forumhouse.ru/threads/139745/page-3
With the King of the North you will always be with a rich harvest. Yes, they are not very suitable for stuffing, but everything else - fried, rolls, canned goods, freezing - excellent. I plant 8 bushes every year. For a family of two, I also make friends enough. They ripen in my greenhouse before cucumbers. Fruits until mid-September in sunny weather.
Marina
//www.asienda.ru/post/29845/
I planted the King of the North eggplant variety in 2010. And I really liked him! Maybe because our Ural summer was unusually warm. All bushes pleased with an excellent harvest. The bushes are low, 60-70 cm, large-leaved, do not require garters. The fruits are medium-sized, long. Very suitable for canning, and for baking. We cut at least along, for "Mother tongue", at least across for stewing vegetables. Young eggplants are bright purple, the flesh is white. Young people cook very quickly, almost the same as zucchini.
Helena
//www.bolshoyvopros.ru/questions/2355259-baklazhan-korol-severa-kto-sazhal-otzyvy.html
The king of the north F1 is an eggplant, which is grown in almost any climatic conditions, except for the hottest south. This hybrid is not afraid of cold weather, is unpretentious to conditions, gives good harvests of fruits usual for eggplants, very good taste. The appearance of this hybrid has solved the problem of providing eggplant regions with risky conditions of vegetable growing.
