2024 Author: Gavin MacAdam | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 13:38
Common watermelon (lat. Citrullus lanatus) - melon culture; a representative of the genus Watermelon of the Pumpkin family. It is currently cultivated in many southern countries with warm climates, namely Uzbekistan, Egypt, Iran, Turkey, Syria, Greece, Thailand, Spain, Korea, China and southern regions of Russia.
Characteristics of culture
Common watermelon is an annual herb with rounded, pentahedral, climbing or creeping, thin stems of light green color. The length of the stems varies from 1 to 4 m. Young stems are covered with small soft hairs over the entire surface. The leaves are triangular-ovate, petiolate, alternate, rough, rather coarse, with pinnately-divided lobes, up to 22 cm long. The flowers are equipped with a shaggy, green, broad-funnel-shaped corolla, narrow-lanceolate sepals and boat-shaped bracts.
The fruit is a multi-seeded juicy pumpkin, depending on the variety, it can have a cylindrical, spherical or oval shape, and a white, yellow or dark green color from patterns in the form of spots, stripes or a grid of a lighter shade. The flesh of the fruit is sweet, juicy, tender, it can be red, raspberry, white or yellow. The seeds are black or brown, flat, with a ribbed pattern.
Growing conditions
The common watermelon is photophilous; intensely lit areas are preferable for its cultivation. Soils are desirable loose, light, rich in nutrients. Optimal virgin sandy loam chernozems. On clayey and waterlogged soils and medium chernozems, watermelons do not have time to ripen.
The area for growing crops should be protected from cold northerly winds, it is good if it is located on the south or southeast side. The close occurrence of groundwater will negatively affect the development of watermelons and the quality of the fruits. The formation of low mounds with a slope intended for the outflow of excess water is not prohibited. On personal backyards, crops can be grown on compost heaps.
Popular varieties
* Astrakhansky - the variety is represented by rounded or slightly oblong fruits with a smooth green surface with darker stripes. The pulp is sweet, very juicy, deep red in color. The average weight of one fruit is 8-10 kg.
* Photon - the variety is represented by oblong fruits with a bright green surface with dark stripes. The pulp is red, tender, sweet. Average weight - 4-5 kg.
* Crimson Sweet - the variety is represented by rounded fruits with a smooth surface of green color with a distinct shine. Outwardly, the fruits are similar to the Astrakhan ones. The pulp is red, tender, sweet. The average weight of one fruit is 4-5 kg.
* Spark - the variety is represented by rounded fruits of a dark green color without an obvious pattern. It has a very thin crust. The pulp is red, juicy, tender. Average weight - 2-3 kg.
* Madera F1 - the variety is represented by rounded or slightly elongated fruits with a light green surface with darker stripes or spots. The pulp is red, juicy, crispy. Average weight is 6-8 kg. Early ripe variety.
* Chill - the variety is represented by globular fruits of dark green color with lighter spots. The pulp is sweet, juicy, red. The average weight of one fruit is 6-7 kg.
* Gift of the Sun - the variety is represented by oblong fruits with a yellow crust. The pulp is red, sweet, juicy. Average weight - 3-4 kg.
* Skorik - the variety is represented by spherical fruits of dark green color with a pattern in the form of broken stripes. The pulp is very tender, sweet. Average weight is 3-4 kg.
* Crimson Glory F1 - the variety is represented by plants that are resistant to various diseases and pests. Fruits are round, green, with dark stripes, have a long shelf life and good transport. Average weight - 12-15 kg.
* Sugar baby - the variety is represented by rounded fruits with a dark green surface. The pulp is red, distinguished by its special sweetness and tenderness. Average weight - 4-5 kg.
* Charleston Gray - the variety is represented by oblong fruits with a light green surface without an obvious pattern. The pulp is red, sweet, rich, fresh. The average weight is 10-12 kg.
The following varieties should also be noted: Sakata, Syngenta, Hollar, Simenis, Kamyshinsky, Kherson, Monastyrsky, Melitopol, Uryupinsky, Mozdoksky, Densuke. The fruits of the last of the listed varieties are black-green in color, they have good taste characteristics and are grown in limited quantities, so their cost is quite high and unacceptable to the common people.
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