The most popular and beloved melon “Torpedo”: choose the right one and grow it yourself
Melon Torpedo is a favorite of many. Tender and juicy, with excellent taste and sweet pleasant aroma. Many gardeners dream of growing a rich harvest of this melon.
Let's take a closer look at what the Torpedo variety is and how to get a tasty harvest on your own plot.
Description of the melon variety
The variety was named for its elongated oblong shape. Its homeland is Uzbekistan, in this country the Torpedo melon can be found in every yard. The plant likes a warm climate and fertile, nutritious soil.
Distinctive features
Late-ripening melon ripens in 90–100 days from planting. The crop is grown both by seedlings and without seedlings.
The plant has many lashes, small leaves of light green color. Melon is thermophilic, so it is recommended to plant it in fertile and sunny beds.
Fruit characteristics and yield
The surface of the melon is yellow, with a white embossed mesh. The shape is elongated, the weight of the fruit is about 5 kg. The skin is thick and resistant to damage, so the Torpedo can be stored for a long time without losing its beneficial properties.
The pulp is very aromatic and sweet, white-cream in color. Productivity is high - from 1 sq. m harvest from 5 to 7 kg of delicious sugar fruits.
Composition, properties, calorie content and benefits
Why is melon good for health? After all, it is recommended even for preparing dietary dishes. The fragrant juicy fruit has a valuable supply of vitamins and minerals, such as calcium, potassium, phosphorus, iron, zinc.
90% of the pulp consists of liquid, so you can eat it even if you are overweight. 100 g contains 34 kcal.
The following beneficial properties of melon are noted:
- removes toxins and waste from the body;
- increases the level of hemoglobin in the blood;
- has a rejuvenating effect;
- Vitamin C in melon has an antimicrobial effect;
- Vitamin B is responsible for the healthy functioning of the gastrointestinal tract.
How to choose fruits when purchasing
When choosing a Torpedo in a store or on the market, it is important to pay attention to the appearance. The melon should be large and firm, without scratches or other damage.. A characteristic sign of maturity is dull sound when tapped.
Aroma is also of great importance. The ripe one has a strong characteristic odor; if it is not there, it means the fruit is not yet ripe. The tail should be hard and dry.
Important! Be careful when purchasing from roadside stalls. Often the fruits lie on bare ground, which is why they can become infected with dangerous infections. Eating such melon can lead to poisoning.
How to grow your own
The Torpedo variety is grown in two ways: seedlings and without seedlings. The first is suitable for regions with short summers and sudden weather changes; the second is for warm and temperate climates. Let's look at each method in detail and learn the secrets of growing.
Landing
A necessary preparation step is disinfection. Seeds are disinfected using aloe juice, Bordeaux mixture, and succinic acid solution. The seed material is soaked for 24 hours and then placed in a damp cloth for germination. Germination shows the germination of seeds and increases their immunity.
Then do one of the following:
- In the seedling method, seeds are planted in prepared soil in any convenient container (flower pot, plastic cups, peat tablets). Grow seedlings for 2-3 weeks in a warm and sunny place. It is recommended to keep it near the battery or on the windowsill. Water the seedlings as the soil dries out, only with warm water. When transplanting into the garden, the sprouts are carefully placed in dug up and cleared of debris beds.
- With the seedless method, the seeds are immediately planted in the garden after disinfection. First, the soil is dug up and fertilized with liquid manure or vermiculite, a mineral substance that increases germination. During the first week after planting, each sprout is covered with polyethylene to protect it from winds and cold temperatures. Melon loves a mixture of sandy and loamy soils, so it is important to choose the right planting site.
Care
The basis of any care is timely and competent watering. Moisten the beds once every 5–7 days only with warm water (optimal temperature is about +18 °C). 2 liters are consumed per bush. If the summer is hot and rainy, the amount of water is reduced.
Once every 2 weeks, instead of regular water, use an infusion of burdock or nettle. They protect against diseases and prevent the development of weeds. Before each watering, it is recommended to loosen the soil so that the water gets as deep into the roots as possible.
The second element of healthy melon development is the organization of fertilizing. Both organic substances and mineral complexes are used. Fertilize the Torpedo variety once every 10 days.
Preference is given to the following fertilizers:
- dry wood ash;
- liquid bird droppings;
- urea;
- superphosphate;
- monopotassium phosphate;
- mineral complex "Kimira";
- growth stimulants “Kornevin” or “Heteroauxin”;
- spraying with whey solution.
Important! Don't forget about loosening and removing weeds. These procedures make the soil more nutritious and lighter, protect against pests and maintain healthy microflora in the beds. Loosening is carried out once a week. The recommended depth is 10–15 cm.
Features of cultivation and possible difficulties
In the northern regions of the country, Torpedo melon is grown mainly in greenhouses or greenhouses. Polycarbonate structures are excellent. They are lightweight, transmit sunlight, affordable and easy to install. Before planting in the greenhouse, all hard surfaces are disinfected with a solution of potassium permanganate. The structure is characterized by heat and high humidity, so it is important to monitor the condition of the ground. The greenhouse is ventilated daily by opening the windows.
Mandatory procedure — formation bushes and pinching the tops. As soon as 5 leaves appear, the shoot above the fourth leaf is removed. In the future, it is important to leave two main shoots above each leaf, no more.
Long lashes are unraveled and placed on the ground, sprinkled in several places. A support made of wooden boxes and stones is placed under the largest and largest fruits. This is done so that the melons do not rot when they come into contact with wet soil.
Diseases and pests characteristic of the variety
Torpedo melon is resistant to major crop diseases. However, occasionally, even if all agrotechnical rules are followed, she becomes ill with anthracnose. The leaves become covered with brown and yellow spots, wither and dry out. If measures are not taken in time, the melons become deformed and rot. For prevention, spraying with a solution of milk and iodine is used (500 ml of milk and 20 g of iodine per 5 liters of water).If the disease has already appeared, the plant is treated with Bordeaux mixture or sulfur solution.
Another disease of the variety is powdery mildew. It appears in the form of a white coating on the leaves, which becomes more and more every day. There are several reasons for infection: increased nitrogen content in the soil, sudden temperature changes, high humidity, dense planting. To combat powdery mildew, use the preparations “Bravo” or “Mikosan”.
The most common pest in garden beds is the melon fly.. The miniature insect appears due to contaminated soil or improper care. The fly lays larvae in the fruit, which eat the melon from the inside. It is impossible to detect the insect with the naked eye, so it is recommended to regularly inspect the bushes in sunlight. To combat the pest, copper sulfate or the drug “Topaz” is used.
Harvesting and application
Harvest in mid-late August. Ripeness is determined by its sweet aroma and firm rind.. It is recommended to pick the fruits together with the stalk so that they retain their taste and freshness longer. The melon is wiped with a dry cloth and laid out on the beds for 2-3 days, then put away in the cellar or basement. It is important that the room is regularly ventilated. If you leave the crop in the garden beds, the taste begins to become bitter.
A variety of dishes are prepared from Torpedo melon snacks and desserts: cakes, cocktails, fruit salads, smoothies and sorbets. The fruits go well with ice cream and mint and quench your thirst. Part of the harvest is consumed fresh, the other is used for cooking. dishes. The sweet pulp goes harmoniously with milk porridges.
Advantages and disadvantages of the variety
The advantages of the Torpedo variety include juicy and tender pulp, excellent taste, and versatility in use. The product is low in calories and contains useful vitamins and minerals. Eating melon helps fight stress, relieve tension and fatigue. The Torpedo variety consistently shows high yields.
Among the shortcomings, they note the fact that Torpedo is grown only in the southern regions of the country. In areas with temperate and cold climates, the variety does not have high yields. Another disadvantage is the need to form a bush.
Reviews from summer residents
Despite the fact that Torpedo melon is one of the most popular in our country, there are also mixed reviews about it.
Galina, Samara: «I have been growing Torpedo melon for five years in a row. Always happy with the harvest. Melons are large, aromatic, very sweet. I like to eat them fresh before they go bad.”
Maria, Rostov-on-Don: “I planted the Torpedo variety for the first time. I followed the care recommendations: watered and fertilized according to schedule, formed a bush and pinched the top. However, in mid-July the plant became ill with powdery mildew. We managed to cure it, but part of the crop died.”
Dmitry, Sochi: “I recommend Torpedo to everyone who hasn’t tried it yet! Melon makes delicious desserts. I make fruit salads and fresh juices; adults and children like them. A choice of dishes for every taste."
Read also:
What is good about the Ethiopian melon and why you should try growing it yourself.
How does melon affect the intestines: does it weaken or strengthen?
Conclusion
Choosing the right variety to grow is not an easy task. Torpedo melon is known to any gardener. It not only has a rich taste, but is also good for health.It is planted by both beginners and experienced gardeners.
If by the end of summer you want to get a harvest of tasty, healthy fruits from your beds, the Torpedo variety is exactly what you need.