Watermelons With A Twist. Continuation

2024 Author: Gavin MacAdam | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 13:38

Let's continue to get acquainted with the masterpieces of selection among the most delicious, juicy berries - watermelon. I am glad that our scientists keep pace with world geniuses, in no way yielding to them the "palm". Consider a few unusual varieties

Honey giant

An early ripe variety (65-80 days), bred by Russian scientists. The lashes reach a size of 3-5m. The fruit is elongated, reminiscent of a torpedo. The skin is light green with a marbled color.

It will grow up to 0.5 meters in length, the weight of each berry is 5-15 kg. Forms several ovaries on a bush with a total weight of up to 30 kg. The pulp is grainy, sweet, red or pink, juicy. In full maturity, it acquires a honey aroma. Forms few seeds.

Resistant to drought, disease (fusarium, anthracnose). Stored for a month after collection. Has good transportability. Grown in open and protected ground. Suitable for canning, fresh consumption.

White miracle

A variety with similar characteristics was first developed in South Africa. By selection from wild ancestors. Popular in the Asian countries of the southeastern part.

"White Miracle" has a classic thin skin color. Fruits are round in shape, inside white, creamy or pale yellow pulp. The cut is almost transparent. The taste is less sweet than the classic varieties. Refreshing shades of cucumber and strawberry are present. The white color is due to the absence of lycopene, which turns watermelons red. Bred by crossing wild and cultivated forms.

Winter in Navajo

Mid-season variety (82-85 days) of American selection. Differs in white or pale light green peel. Juicy, pink or red, crispy, very sweet pulp. Due to the thick skin, it can be stored for 4 months after collection. Excellent transportability, drought resistance.

Moon and stars

The history of this ancient variety is interesting. Bred by selection method more than a hundred years ago in Tsarist Russia. Introduced to Europe at the beginning of the 20th century. The unique color of the fruit evoked awe of this fruit. After the October Revolution, the variety was lost. Preserved thanks to the collection of foreign connoisseurs. In 1926, Henderson began supplying seed to the world market.

A unique variety has an interesting feature; all parts of the plant (leaves, fruits) are covered with an unusual pattern. Yellow luminaries are clearly visible against a black-green background: a large round moon and many small stars.

The fruit of a slightly oblong shape reaches a size of up to 14 kg. Mid-season variety (85-90 days). The pulp is fragrant, juicy, very sweet, dark red. A branchy bush forms 3-4 ovaries. The rind is tough, thick-walled. Stored in a cool room for several months. Relatively resistant to major diseases.

Orange honey

An early ripe hybrid. Designed for growing in the middle lane. Scourge up to 4 meters, small leaves. Rounded fruits with a classic skin color, weighing up to 2.5 kg. 4-8 ovaries are formed on the bush.

Orange, juicy, very sweet, with a honey flavor, the pulp contains 13% sugar. Few seeds. Ripens from mid-August to cold weather. Excellent, beautiful, original dessert. Consumed fresh. Jam and candied fruits are prepared from the unripe fruits of the late harvest. Resistant to major diseases.

Having got acquainted with unusual varieties of watermelons, you can safely start growing sweet berries in your gardens. The specimens you like will acquire a permanent residence permit on the site, become a favorite delicacy for the whole family. Currently, the border of watermelon cultivation is rapidly moving to the north. Breeders are trying to breed varieties for all regions. Hotbeds, greenhouses help in the conquest of new territories. I hope that in your experiments you will try all the novelties offered on the market.