What is good about the watermelon variety “Icarus” and why it is worth growing
Watermelons are grown in the south and in the middle zone. This crop is heat-loving and performs well in loose and fertile soils. It's hard to imagine summer without watermelon. The sweet and juicy fruit is taken on picnics and on visits, and fruit salads and cocktails are prepared from it.
In the article we will look at the Icarus variety. Gardeners value it for its resistance to fungal and viral diseases, stable yields and the ability of fruits to be stored for a long time.
Description of the watermelon variety
Mid-early Icarus matures in 88-105 days from the moment the first shoots appear. It is planted with seedlings or seeds in open ground.
Distinctive features
The lashes are long, the shoots are thin and powerful. The leaves are medium sized, gray-green in color. When large fruits form, staking and bush formation are required.
Composition, properties, benefits, calorie content
100 g of watermelon contains 25 kcal. The fruits are 90% water and have an active diuretic effect. Suitable for dietary nutrition, has a positive effect on blood sugar levels. Watermelon removes toxins from the body, saturates it with fiber and vitamins A, B, C. Watermelon contains folic acid - it improves memory, strengthens the immune system, and reduces the risk of stroke.
Interesting! Watermelon is called the “berry of youth.” It has a positive effect on the condition of the skin, strengthens nails and hair.
Fruit characteristics and yield
Fruit weight - from 3 to 6 kg. The shape is round, elongated. The color is green, with a weakly defined mesh.The peel is thick, making the crop suitable for long-term storage. The pulp is granular, sugary, red-raspberry in color. From one bush, from two to five large fruits are removed.
Seeds of watermelon
The seeds of the Icarus variety are small and oval in shape.. They have a brown tint and a smooth skin. The weight of 1000 seeds is about 70 g.
How to grow a variety yourself
Icarus shows the best yield when grown in seedlings. Let us consider the technology for preparing seedlings and further care in detail.
Planting and caring for seedlings
Seedlings require containers and soil. Wooden boxes, plastic cassettes, and flower pots are used as containers. The container is washed and wiped dry. The soil is taken from the garden, fertilized with peat and humus, and watered with a solution of potassium permanganate.
Soil is poured into the container and grooves are made 1 cm deep. 2-3 seeds are placed in each, sprinkled with earth and watered with warm water. Before planting, the seeds are disinfected with a solution of Bordeaux mixture or aloe juice: placed in a fabric bag and immersed in the liquid for 40 minutes.
Place the seedlings on a warm and sunny windowsill. In cloudy weather, additional illumination with phytolamps is provided. Water the seedlings with warm and clean water every 5 days. Fertilize two weeks after planting with liquid chicken manure. The next feeding is applied after 15 days - use ammonium nitrate or superphosphate. Icarus is planted in the garden from May 25 to June 5.
Important! Watermelon is planted on fertile hilly beds. Before planting, the soil is dug up and cleared of debris and weeds. To improve the quality of the soil, the mineral vermiculite is added. It makes the soil more nutritious and lighter.
Step-by-step cultivation and care
In the first week after planting, the bushes are covered with polyethylene or film. - they protect the plant from possible frosts. Water the watermelon in the morning with water at room temperature. About 1 liter of water is consumed per plant. If it rains frequently, the amount of water is reduced.
Improve soil quality and nutrition of Icarus through loosening. The beds are loosened before watering to a depth of no more than 15 cm. Loosening makes the soil light and eliminates weeds and pests. Use a metal rake or hoe for loosening.
An important stage in watermelon care is the application of organic and mineral fertilizers.. The plant responds favorably to fertilizing with manure, grass, vermicompost, potassium salt, and nitrogen. It is recommended to alternate organic matter and minerals. The interval between procedures is two weeks. 10 days before harvest, fertilizing and watering are stopped.
About other varieties and hybrids of watermelon:
A variety for the northern regions of the country - watermelon “Sugar Baby”
Features of cultivation and possible difficulties
A month after planting in the ground, the plant is formed. The side shoots are removed, leaving 2-3 powerful stems. The lashes are unraveled and placed on the ground, sprinkled with sand in several places. If you do not form the plant, all the nutrition will be spent on the growth of green mass and the formation of many small underdeveloped watermelons.
If the fruits are heavy and lie on the ground, gardeners build a support for them from plywood or wooden boards. Otherwise, watermelons will come into contact with wet soil, which will lead to the formation of infections, viruses or fungi.
Important! Particular attention is paid to mulching.Mulch is a mixture of leaves, grass, sand, sawdust and other plant elements. It is recommended to sprinkle the base of the stem with mulch after each watering. It nourishes the soil and retains moisture.
Diseases and pests
Variety Icarus disease resistant, however, due to sudden changes in weather and high humidity plants can get sick:
- Root rot. The roots become covered with a light coating and become hard and dense. For prevention, iodine supplementation is used, and for treatment, the drug “Quadris”.
- Tobacco mosaic. Appears in the form of a patterned network on leaves and stems. For treatment and prevention, spraying with Bordeaux mixture or potassium permanganate solution is used.
- Powdery mildew. White coating on the leaves occurs due to heat and rain. For prevention, the soil, garden tools and seeds are disinfected before planting. For treatment, use “Maxim” or “Commander” products.
Among the pests noted are melon aphids. The insect feeds on plant sap and causes diseases. It is recommended to regularly inspect the beds, since it is difficult to see small midges with the naked eye. They get rid of it by spraying with a soap or ash solution.
Another pest is the spider mite.. It envelops the leaves with cobwebs and feeds on plants. The bushes wither, the fruits lose their elasticity and taste. To combat, use a solution of copper sulfate or the drug “Decis”.
Harvesting and application
Harvest in late August - early September. Ripe fruits are identified by their shine, dry stem, and dull sound when tapped. Pluck the watermelons together with the tail and wipe with a dry, clean towel.
The fruits are suitable for long-term storage - for this they are placed in a basement or cellar with an air humidity of no more than 80%. The harvest can be stored for up to four months.
Sweet, refreshing desserts are prepared from the pulp. - sherbet, smoothies, cocktails. Watermelon is also suitable for preparing original salads and snacks. Its taste goes harmoniously with olives, Parma ham, and walnuts.
Interesting! From watermelon rinds preparing sweet jam. The crusts are boiled with sugar over low heat to create a thick delicacy. Serve the dish with pancakes or donuts.
Advantages and disadvantages
Among the shortcomings noted the variety's demands on the growing region and soil fertility. It will not be possible to get a rich harvest on dry and scarce lands.
Wherein Icarus has a number of advantages:
- versatility of use;
- sweet and juicy pulp;
- stable yield;
- long-term storage;
- resistance to diseases and pests.
Reviews
Let's study the reviews of Russian summer residents about the Icarus watermelon variety. Let's find out whether they are happy with the harvest or not.
Evgeniy, Krasnodar: “An excellent variety, I’ve been planting it for 10 years. Watermelons are velvety and sweet. We eat it fresh, the taste is excellent. I plant in open beds, fertilize with urea and herbal infusions.”.
Irina, Saratov: “I liked the Icarus variety. I collected 9 large fruits from the garden, each weighing approximately 5 kg. Some were put away for storage. Taste is good, sweetness is moderate".
Ksenia, Moscow: “My watermelon Icarus grew poorly: the bushes are weak, the shoots are thin and fragile. The fruit set slowly. I didn’t like the taste, it was watery.”.
Conclusion
Watermelon Icarus is loved by experienced gardeners and novice gardeners.The plant does not require special skills to care for - the main thing is to water the beds in a timely manner with warm water and apply organic and mineral fertilizers.
The taste of the fruit is soft and sweet, the flesh is fleshy. Thanks to the thick peel, the crop is stored until winter. The variety is universal in use - suitable for preparing various dishes and eating fresh.