How to plant and grow watermelon correctly
Watermelon is one of the most delicious and at the same time healthy summer delicacies. According to the Guinness Book of Records, the heaviest watermelon was grown in 2013 by an American farmer. The giant berry weighed 159 kg!
Melon crops, which include watermelon, are grown both in the south of Russia and in Siberia. We'll tell you in detail how to plant a watermelon correctly, how to care for it and when it's time to harvest.
Variety selection
Cultivation of any crop begins with the choice of variety. A hybrid or variety is chosen based on the climate of the region and the place of cultivation: in a greenhouse, open ground or at home.
For cultivation in central Russia
The middle zone is the European part of Russia from the borders with Belarus in the west to the Volga region in the east and from Karelia and the Arkhangelsk region in the north to the Black Earth Region. For these areas, early ripening varieties and hybrids that are resistant to temperature changes are chosen.
Popular early varieties and hybrids include Ogonyok, Moscow Region Charleston F1, Ultra Early, Crimson Sweet, Sugar baby, Skorik, Kai F1.
In the open ground
For open ground, the hardiest hybrids and specially selected varieties are selected. These are early ripening watermelons that are resistant to cold weather.
Their fruits are small, but they produce a stable harvest in open ground conditions. These are hybrids Orange Honey F1, Pink Champagne F1, Prince Arthur F1.
At home
For growing at home, small-fruited and early-ripening varieties of crops are chosen.They are also used for cultivation in greenhouses. Watermelons of these varieties are medium-sized, with thin skin.
To grow at home, you can choose one of the following varieties: Gift to the Sun, Ogonyok, Sibiryak, Rose of the South-East.
Landing dates
They begin to plant watermelons in open ground when the soil warms up to a depth of about 10 cm. The optimal temperature for seedlings is +15...+16°C.
When grown through seedlings, seeds are sown in late April - early May. A separate container is used for each plant, since watermelon does not tolerate transplantation well. Seedlings are planted in a permanent location approximately 30 days after sowing, when the threat of frost has passed.
Soil preparation
Melon crops do not like acidic soil, so they choose fertile soil with a pH level of 5.5-6 units. Preferably soil with a sandy loam or sandy structure.
The watermelon patch has been prepared since autumn. The soil is dug up, compost, humus, organic and phosphorus-potassium fertilizers are added. It is also useful to add wood ash or dolomite flour.
Important! Watermelons, like all melons, grow well on compost heaps.
Undesirable predecessors are legumes and cabbage. Favorable ones are onions, tomatoes, potatoes, winter wheat, rye. These crops increase soil fertility and contribute to the ripening of watermelons 10-15 days ahead of schedule.
Seed preparation
In the southern regions of the country, seeds are planted directly in open ground. In the Urals and Siberia, it is preferable to use the seedling method. This will speed up the process of growth and ripening of the fruit. Seeds for seedlings are sown 4-5 weeks before planting in the garden.
Interesting fact. About 1,200 different varieties of watermelon are known. All of them are divided into four categories: with seeds, without seeds, small watermelons and yellow watermelons.
Preparing seed material improves germination. The seeds are wrapped in paper or cotton cloth and placed in warm water until sprouts appear. To protect seedlings from diseases, seeds are kept in a solution of potassium permanganate and zinc for 24 hours.
After germination, the seeds are planted in separate peat or plastic cups with a diameter of 10-15 cm. The seedlings are ready for planting in the garden when the plants have 3-4 leaves. A week before transplanting, the plants begin to harden, gradually lowering the temperature.
Growing seedlings
In areas with short and cool summers, it is preferable to use seedlings. Seeds are planted starting in mid-April. Watermelon seedlings at home grow in about 30 days.
The soil for growing seedlings is light and fertile. For the soil mixture, take one part of peat, one part of humus and 0.5 parts of river sand. Add ash to the mixture (2 tablespoons per liter).
Watermelon seedlings have delicate and brittle roots; they do not recover well after transplantation, so it is preferable to grow watermelons without picking. Seeds are planted in separate cups or pots with a capacity of about 0.3 liters and a diameter of 10-15 cm.
How to plant watermelons correctly? It is preferable to sow watermelon with pre-prepared seeds: disinfected and germinated.
The seeds are disinfected by soaking for 30 minutes in a dark pink solution of potassium permanganate. Then the seeds are washed in clean water and wrapped in a damp cloth. Until the sprouts appear, the seeds are kept in a warm place at a temperature of +25...+30°C. Sprouts appear in about five days.
Hatched seeds are hardened. To do this, they are placed in the refrigerator for 12 hours. The procedure is repeated 2-3 times.Sowing begins when the root grows 1-1.5 cm.
Lighting and temperature
Watermelon is a light-loving southern plant, so choose the brightest place in the house for seedlings. As a rule, this is a southern or southeastern window sill.
Before germination, the pots are placed in a warm place with an air temperature of +25...+27°C. After the sprouts appear, the temperature is reduced to +20...+22°C during the day and +18...+20°C at night. This way the plants will get stronger and not stretch out.
Watering
The seedlings are watered sparingly as the earthen ball dries out. Overmoistening of the soil causes the development diseases and death of sprouts.
Water is used at room temperature. When watering, avoid getting moisture on the stems and leaves of plants.
Feeding
7-10 days after emergence, the seedlings are fed with a solution of mineral fertilizers for seedlings (“Fertika”, “Rastvorin”, “Sotka”). Feeding is repeated after 10 days.
Bedding
The seedlings are transplanted when 3-5 true leaves appear. The optimal soil temperature for planting is +15…+18°C.
Attention! Healthy watermelon seedlings are strong plants with thick stems and compact internodes.
Planting begins in the second decade of June, when the threat of frost has completely passed. If you use shelters, you can plant the plants earlier, starting three weeks after the sprouts appear.
The planting scheme is chosen based on the climbing ability of the variety and the recommendations of the seed manufacturer. On average, two plants are planted per square meter. m.
First, prepare the wells. Approximately 2 kg of compost is added to each hole and watered generously. The seedlings are planted in holes on the ridges according to the pattern 140×70 or 140×140, deepening 8-10 cm in the resulting mush. In this case, the root collar remains 1-2 cm above the surface of the ridge.The holes are sprinkled with dry soil to prevent crust formation.
If the weather is still unstable, the plantings are covered with any covering material.
Sowing seeds in open ground
They begin to plant watermelons with seeds in open ground when warm weather sets in and the soil warms up to +14°C and above. The seeds are buried 6-8 cm and watered with warm water. The first shoots appear a week after sowing. After 4-5 leaves have grown, the soil is carefully loosened and the plants are hilled up.
Features of caring for sprouts and ripening watermelons
After transplantation, young shoots are protected with film from temperature changes and wind. The shelter is regularly raised for ventilation to prevent condensation from forming. The protection is removed in June, with the arrival of real warmth.
Watering
Water the watermelon beds about once a week, avoiding moisture on the leaves and stems. To prevent the top soil from drying out too quickly, use a 4-5 cm layer of mulch. This technique also increases the temperature of the soil. During the flowering period, watering is reduced to once every two weeks, and during the period of fruit filling, it is stopped altogether.
Feeding
Two to three weeks after planting in a permanent place, the plants are fed. A solution of ammonium nitrate is added to the soil at the rate of 20 g per 1 bush. During the period of bud formation, fertilizing is repeated.
Formation of bushes
The formation of watermelon bushes involves pinching the side shoots. This is relevant when growing crops in the middle zone, where there are not many warm summer days. In such conditions, all the formed fruits do not have time to ripen before the onset of cold weather.
4-6 ovaries are left on the main shoot. The remaining lashes are removed, leaving 3-4 leaves on them. They will help the plant receive adequate nutrition.
As it grows, new shoots grow on the bush. They are also removed by periodically inspecting the plant.
Protection from diseases and pests
Damage to watermelon beds is caused by diseases such as anthracnose, fusarium, and powdery mildew. The development of diseases is prevented by proper growing conditions and the selection of disease-resistant varieties.
The most common disease is anthracnose. Its development is provoked by excessive soil and air moisture. For prevention, every 10-12 days after rain, watermelons are sprayed with Bordeaux mixture and copper oxychloride. Spraying is stopped three weeks before harvest.
Dangerous pests include aphids, wireworms, meadow moths, and cutworms. If insects are detected, they are treated with biological preparations or chemical insecticides: “Tanrek”, “Aktara”, “Decis”, “Fufanon”.
Folk remedies include spraying with infusion of ash or garlic. The plants most infested with pests are removed from the garden beds and burned.
Harvesting and storage features
The fruits begin to ripen approximately 40 days after pollination. If the watermelons do not ripen before the onset of cold weather, they are removed from the garden and stored in a cool room where ripening continues.
The ripeness of watermelons is determined by the ringing sound when tapped and the dry tail. When you squeeze a ripe fruit, you can hear a slight crackling sound in the pulp. A yellow spot on the side also indicates ripeness.
Depending on the variety, watermelons can be stored for up to three months. The fruits tolerate transportation well.
Conclusion
Watermelon is a southern plant that requires heat and light. In the southern regions, the crop is grown by sowing seeds directly into open ground, and in the Urals and Siberia - through seedlings.
If you choose the right variety and follow the rules of care, watermelon beds will delight you with a rich harvest of sweet, tasty fruits.