Cucumber variety DRUZHINA is an early-maturing, high-yielding, bee-pollinated Siberian hybrid, intended for cultivation in open ground and under film covers. The plant is medium-height, reaching 100–120 cm, and does not require additional training. The period from germination to the start of fruiting is 46–51 days, enabling a quick harvest. The fruits are elongated-oval, large-warty, with white hairs, measuring 9–10 cm in length and weighing 80–90 grams. The fruits are dense, crisp, do not yellow, and have a universal use, suitable for fresh consumption, pickling, and canning. A distinctive feature of this variety is high fruit marketability and uniform fruiting, which significantly simplifies harvest and increases cultivation efficiency. The taste qualities of the cucumbers are excellent; they are sweet and retain their properties under various processing methods. For seedling production, seeds are sown at the end of March to the beginning of April at a depth of 1–2 cm at a temperature of around 25 degrees, and transplanting into the soil occurs after the threat of frost has passed. For direct sowing into the soil, seeds are planted at the end of May at a depth of 1–1.5 cm, followed by covering with film. The recommended planting scheme is 60x15 cm. For successful cultivation of the DRUZHINA variety, proper agronomy is essential: the soil should be light, loose, and well-fertilized with organic matter. Cucumbers are best planted after cabbage, potatoes, onions, carrots, or peppers. Regular loosening, weeding, watering with warm water, and fertilization approximately every two weeks are necessary. Irregular harvesting may reduce yield, so it is recommended to promptly harvest the fruits to maintain fruiting. All these measures ensure a stable and high-quality cucumber harvest of the DRUZHINA variety.
