Rules for planting and growing watermelons and melons. How to plant and grow watermelons The best soil for growing watermelon
Growing watermelons in open field seeds and seedlings
You can grow watermelons using seeds and seedlings. Of course, in order for good and tasty fruits to grow in the end, the planting technology should be carried out correctly.
In addition, the subsequent care of the plant largely affects the quality of ripened fruits. Therefore, it is best to familiarize yourself in advance with all the secrets of growing watermelons using seeds and seedlings.
Place to land
For growing watermelon choose sandy or sandy soil. Its acidity should be 6-7 units.
Since watermelons are a thermophilic plant, a place for planting should be chosen warm, sunny, so that it constantly warms up. Planted in warm soil up to +12 +15 degrees.
Watermelons will grow well after the following crops:
- potato;
- cabbage;
- carrot;
- legume crops.
In no case do not plant a plant in places where solanaceous or gourds because these plants have common pests.
It is important to know: it is recommended to prepare a site for watermelons in the fall, it needs to be dug and loosened. Then on the dug up ground the berry will grow well and give excellent harvest.
Digging the earth should be done in conjunction with rotted manure or humus. For 1 square meter the following amount of fertilizer is applied - 5-6 kg of humus or rotted manure, superphosphate 50 grams, potassium salt 35 grams and ammonium sulfate 40 grams.
Sand is poured into the weighted soil - 2 buckets per 1 m2. It is not advisable to use fresh manure for fertilizer. When digging, all weeds and roots are removed, because watermelon does not like these unpleasant "neighbors".
If further planting will be carried out under the film, then you should also purchase necessary material and cover the ground with them.
Planting a watermelon
There are two ways to plant watermelons:
1. In a seedless way.
For planting watermelons in open ground, you should choose cold-resistant seeds with a ripening period of 90 days. Varieties are perfect - "Spark", "Gift to the North", "Chill".
Seeds should be soaked in water before planting. The water temperature must be at least 50 degrees. It is necessary to soak until the seeds sprout.
Then they are planted in the soil. The soil should be warmed up to +12 +15 degrees. They are usually planted in early May, by the time the seeds germinate it will become warmer, and the soil will warm up with the sun.
After 8-10 days, the first shoots should appear. If the earth is cold, then germination will be delayed for a long period, and as a result, the seeds may die.
It is worth noting: before landing, be sure to pay attention to weather. If it is cool in early May, then planting should be postponed to the end of the month.
In order to grow good harvest, the following disembarkation technology should be observed:
- each well is filled with a mixture of ash, earth, humus and nitroammophos (1 teaspoon). Pour 1 tablespoon of the mixture into the well. This will help increase productivity in the future;
- then we lay the seeds in the soil to a depth of 6-9 cm;
- sprinkle with humus so that a crust does not form on top. This crust can harm the sprouts when they come to the surface, and they will die.
Below, we suggest you watch a video on how to transplant watermelon seedlings into open ground:
2. Growing seedlings.
Seeds are planted for seedlings in late April - early May. It is desirable that the room maintains a temperature regime of +25 +30 degrees.
Seed germination begins at temperature regime from + 17 degrees, but in order for them to grow and develop fruitfully, it is recommended to maintain daytime not less than 25 degrees, and at night from +18 degrees. Seedling picking is not necessary.
The soil in which the seedlings grow should be fertilized. This will provide fast growth sprouts. For all the time the soil needs to be fertilized twice, mineral fertilizers are used as top dressing.
Important to remember: when planting, seedlings cannot be completely covered with soil. On the surface, sprouts of 3-4 cm should be left.
The sprouts should not come into contact with each other, otherwise they can be severely damaged when planting. Therefore, you should watch the sprouts, and as they grow, the cups should be moved away. Shoots ready for planting must have at least 3 leaves.
Seedlings are planted in the soil in late May or early June. Be sure to follow the landing technology. Sprouted seedlings are planted in prepared beds to a depth of 9-11 cm.
One or two shoots are planted in the hole. If 2 processes are planted in the hole, then they are bred on opposite sides so that their lashes do not intertwine.
Before planting, up to two kilograms of compost or humus are poured into the hole and poured with water. It should be planted in a gruel of soil and fertilizers, sprinkling with dry soil.
Care
In addition to landing, you must follow the rules of care. The future harvest depends on proper care.
Care consists of the following:
1. Shelter. In order to accelerate the growth of the plant, covering materials can be used. Under the film, an elevated temperature is maintained and due to this, the plant begins to grow faster.
In addition, the fruits will appear 2-3 weeks earlier. Also covering material will provide protection against various pests. To cover with a film, you can make not high racks on the sides and put covering material on them. It should be removed in early June and preferably on a cloudy day, otherwise the plants may burn out under the scorching sun.
2. Irrigation procedures. Since the watermelon has a very powerful root system, which can go to a depth of more than 1 meter, it should not be watered very often. Once a week is enough. He gets the missing moisture from the ground himself.
3. Soil fertilization. The first top dressing is done 7 days after planting seedlings or seeds. The next two are done at intervals of 2-3 weeks. For the first top dressing, the following can be used as fertilizers - a solution of ammonium nitrate, 20 grams per 10 liters of water. For subsequent dressings, it is best to use mineral fertilizers.
4. Work on the formation of bushes. The fruits are formed on the main stem. In order for them to ripen quickly, it is best to leave no more than 6 ovaries on the stem of the plant, it is recommended to remove the rest.
Also, do not forget about loosening the soil. Beds with watermelons should be periodically loosened. It is advisable to do this after rain or watering.
Overgrown lashes can be tied to special racks or lightly sprinkled with earth. This will protect them from the wind and accelerate the growth of fruits.
Harvesting
Fruit picking begins around August. Before cutting a watermelon, check it for maturity. Usually a ripe fruit has a glossy skin and a dry tail.
There are no hairs on the stalks. Usually, when you knock on the fetus, a dull sound is heard. All these signs are conditional, so it is recommended to use them in combination.
Growing watermelons is a rather laborious process, so it should be approached responsibly. Be sure to prepare the landing site well, pre-dig the soil and fertilize with top dressing.
Do not forget about further care is behind the plant. It is from all right technology cultivation depends on the future harvest.
We offer you to watch a video on how to properly plant watermelon seeds for seedlings:
Often, gardeners plant watermelons in their summer cottages in order to enjoy their juicy fruits in the summer. However, not everyone manages to get a high-quality harvest, since special knowledge is needed to grow gourds. Therefore, it is necessary to familiarize yourself in advance with how watermelons are grown.
Watermelons count thermophilic plants, which differ in length growing season. It is recommended to familiarize yourself with the technology of growing this crop in areas that differ in climatic features. Residents of southern regions with a warm climate can plant gourds immediately in open ground. Due to the high temperature, bushes and fruits will grow rapidly. When growing a plant in warm regions, it is much easier to get a good harvest.
In the northern regions, the air temperature is much lower, so watermelons ripen worse. Due to the harsh climate, many gardeners fail to achieve high yields.
When growing gourds in such regions, certain rules are followed:
- for planting use only varieties with early ripening;
- in order to create optimal conditions for the germination of seedlings, the seed must be planted in greenhouses or under film shelters;
- planting is carried out by seedling method;
- to improve the growth of the root system, all seedlings are watered between rows;
- to obtain medium-sized fruits, no more than six ripe berries are left on each bush, and two fruits are left to collect the largest crop.
Selection and preparation of watermelon seeds for sowing
Before you start sowing watermelons at home, you need to do the selection and preliminary preparation of the seed.
Choice
It is recommended to pre-select seeds that will be planted in the future. When selecting, carefully inspect each seed to look for any signs of damage. Damaged seeds are immediately thrown away, as they are unsuitable for planting.
Also, choosing the highest quality seed, pay attention to its variety. Experienced gardeners advise planting hybrid varieties, as they are resistant to weather changes and common diseases.
Preparation
To obtain strong and healthy seedlings, you will have to do the preliminary preparation of seeds in advance, which consists of several activities:
- Disinfection. Before sowing, all seeds will have to be disinfected so that they are not exposed to diseases in the future. During disinfection, all seeds are soaked in manganese liquid for 25-30 minutes. Then they are laid out on a towel and dried thoroughly.
- Warming up Gardeners strongly recommend heating watermelon seeds, as this contributes to their germination. The procedure is carried out very carefully so as not to accidentally overheat the seeds. To warm up the whole planting material dipped for half an hour in a container with water heated to 45 degrees.
- Scarification. When carrying out such a procedure, the shell of the seed of watermelons is carefully pierced. This speeds up the process of seed germination several times. It is necessary to engage in scarification 2-3 weeks before planting.
Choosing a place to land
In order to grow a high-quality crop in open ground, it is necessary to select the most suitable site for watermelons in advance. When choosing a place in the garden, pay attention to the characteristics of the soil. For gourds, sandy and sandy loamy soils are ideal, which are rich in nutrients. The level of illumination of the site is also taken into account, since due to the lack of light, the yield may deteriorate. Therefore, experts do not recommend planting seeds or seedlings in shaded areas, under trees or fences.
When choosing a place for planting watermelons on suburban area the compatibility of this culture with other plants should be taken into account.
Watermelon seedlings grow well in vegetable gardens, where before for a long time grown black radish. This vegetable saturates the soil with phytoncides that protect crops from spider mites and other pests. Gardeners also recommend planting gourds near tomatoes and parsley, as they drive away moths and sawflies.
However, there are several plants with which watermelons are incompatible. You should not plant them after peppers, potatoes, strawberries and eggplants, as these vegetables suck out many of the nutrients that watermelon plants need from the soil.
Preparing and fertilizing the soil
Having chosen a site for planting a plant, proceed to preliminary preparation and fertilizing the soil in which watermelon seedlings will be grown. Chernozem should be loose and contain nutrients that will accelerate the growth of seedlings. Soil preparation technology consists of several successive stages.
- Determination of the level of looseness of the soil and its acidity. If the land on the site has an increased level of acidity, you will have to water it with chalk or lime mortar. Heavy soils are pre-fed with vermicompost to increase friability.
- Addendum mineral dressings to increase productivity. In the first few weeks after planting watermelons, mineral fertilizers are added to the soil, which are dominated by nitrogen. This component activates the growth of seedlings, due to which fruits are tied on the bushes earlier. Also, the site is fed with phosphorus-containing dressings, which increase the resistance of seedlings to temperature extremes.
- Introduction of organic matter. To saturate the soil useful trace elements, it is necessary to fertilize it organic top dressing. It is recommended to evenly distribute bird droppings with humus over the site, then loosen the ground and water it. warm water. To improve the yield of watermelons, you can moisten the soil herbal infusion mixed with wood ash.
Growing seedlings
When using the seedling planting method, gardeners have to grow seedlings, which in the future will be transplanted into the garden. It is recommended to familiarize yourself in advance with the features of planting seeds and transplanting grown seedlings to a permanent place.
Planting watermelon seeds
Sowing seeds is carried out when they have sprouted a little and white sprouts have appeared on their surface. When carrying out planting work, all seed material is planted in pots with soil mixture. About 2-4 seeds are sown in each container, so that in the future you can get rid of weak seedlings and leave only the most healthy seedlings. Seeds are sown to a depth of 3-5 centimeters.
When all the watermelon seeds have been planted in pots, they are covered plastic wrap and transferred to a well-lit room.
In the first 5-7 days, pots with planted watermelons should be in a room with a temperature of at least 23 degrees. After the appearance of the first sprouts, the film is removed from the pots, and containers with seedlings are transferred to a room with a temperature of 15-17 degrees.
Seedling transplant
Watermelon seedlings should be grown in pots until the first three leaves appear on the seedlings. After this, the seedlings must be transplanted to a permanent place. To do this, rows are marked along the entire site, on which holes are made for further landing plants. The depth of each hole should be about 8-10 centimeters so that the roots can be completely placed underground.
Each hole is watered with warm water, after which the seedlings are carefully planted in the ground. Then the holes are covered with soil and re-moistened with water.
Shaping and pinching
Experienced gardeners recommend regularly pinching gourds. This procedure is carried out to improve the yield and accelerate the development of watermelon berries. Most often, pruning of lashes is carried out when growing plants in open ground, since in greenhouse conditions it is not necessary to form bushes. In order to properly form seedlings, you need to familiarize yourself with the features of removing extra stepchildren.
There are three main methods of pinching, which are most often used by gardeners:
- Pasynkovanie lateral shoots. This method is considered universal, as it is suitable for any variety of gourds. During the procedure, 1-2 shoots are left on the main stem. At the same time, on all lateral stems, the ovaries are completely removed.
- Trimming the side stems. Using this method of pinching plants, you will have to completely remove the shoots. Only a few lashes are left on the main stem, and everything else is cut off.
- Formation in several stems. This is the most common way in which you do not need to completely cut the shoots. On the bushes leave 2-4 lateral lashes. At the same time, each of them should have 2-3 ovaries. If there are more of them, then all the extra fruits that have set are removed.
Rules for feeding and caring for the plant
It is recommended to properly care for gourds, since without care it will not be possible to get a quality crop. The quality of the fruits directly depends on the application of fertilizing to the soil at all stages of growing watermelons.
When sowing
Before planting the seed, be sure to fertilize the soil. To do this, the earth is mixed with a liquid that is prepared from humus. Then the site is treated with wood ash and bone meal, which increases the permeability of oxygen in the soil.
When landing in open ground
Some people prefer to grow watermelon bushes in the open field, so they immediately plant the seeds in the garden. Before this, the land on the site is mixed with green manure plants, which are considered the best top dressing to strengthen the roots.
When flowering
When pollination and flowering of bushes begins, it is recommended to add more fertilizing with potassium to the ground. This substance contributes to the appearance of new flowers on seedlings, due to which the yield increases significantly. Gardeners advise once a month to spray watermelons with Kelik and Nutrivant.
At the beginning of fruiting
On initial stage fruiting, it is necessary to take seriously the feeding of each bush, because due to the lack nutrients soil yields deteriorate. Often, few berries are tied on the bushes due to a lack of boron.
Therefore, to improve the formation of ovaries and the ripening of fruits, it is necessary to periodically spray the area with Megafol and Boroplus.
Nutrition for the fetus
The correct fertilization scheme for watermelon seedlings contributes to the ripening of berries. To make the fruits more watery and tasty, the plants are regularly sprayed with Uniflor and Terraflex.
How often to water
Before you start growing melons, you need to familiarize yourself with the features of their irrigation. In the first weeks after germination, the plant needs intensive watering, as its root system is weakened. With a lack of moisture, seedlings grow poorly and gradually fade. Also, more often it will be necessary to moisten the soil during the formation of flowers and the setting of the first fruits. During such periods, seedlings are watered at least four times a week.
Experts advise to moisten the soil in the afternoon, when the sun begins to set. In the daytime, it is not worth moistening the soil, because due to the high temperature and sunlight, the moisture will evaporate faster. Distilled water is used for irrigation room temperature. Watering the bushes with too cold liquid is contraindicated, as this can lead to rotting of the root system and further death of watermelons.
Irrigation of gourds ceases to be engaged after the full ripening of the fruits.
Harvest and storage
If the agricultural technique for growing watermelons has been fully observed, a ripe crop can be harvested 35-50 days after planting. However, sometimes watermelon berries ripen ahead of schedule. To make sure that the fruits are ripe, inspect the color of their pulp and seeds. Seeds must be dark Brown color, and the flesh is pink, with a reddish tinge. The peel of ripe watermelons should be hard and rough.
The harvested crop is best stored on high racks with shelves, which are located at a distance of 55-65 centimeters from each other. Each shelf should be covered with a thin layer of peat or straw. Such a coating will increase the shelf life of the crop. During storage, watermelons are carefully examined every month. All rotten fruits are thrown away so that the rot does not spread to neighboring berries. Monthly treatment of fruits with lime mortar will help protect the crop from rotting.
What diseases and pests gourds are susceptible to: methods of struggle
Often gourds do not grow well due to pest attacks or the development of diseases:
- Anthracnose. The presence of such a pathology can be determined by the brown spots that appear on the leaves of watermelons. To get rid of the symptoms of anthracnose, all infected bushes are treated Bordeaux liquid and cuprosan solution.
- Bacteriosis. The disease damages the leaves, on the surface of which oval white spots appear. Bacteriosis cannot be cured, so infected watermelons are dug up and burned.
- Mite. Due to dry weather, young watermelon seedlings are often attacked by spider mites. Insects feed on the juice from the leaves and stems, which causes the bushes to dry. A mixture made from onions and garlic will help to cope with the pest.
Conclusion
Many summer residents plant their plots with watermelon bushes. To properly grow them, you need to familiarize yourself with the features of planting gourds and caring for them.
And open ground is not fraught with great difficulties. Some summer residents refuse to plant gourds, considering it inappropriate to borrow large area site. Meanwhile, these crops get along well together and give an excellent harvest, subject to certain rules. On a compact garden plot there is no need to allocate a separate place for melons and watermelons, they can be planted side by side and enjoy juicy sweet fruits.
Seed treatment before planting
Seed material is planted in peat forms at the end of April. Before sowing, it is advisable to warm the seeds well indoors or near a heating device. It is also recommended to soak them in warm water and disinfect in one of the solutions:
- hydrogen peroxide solution is prepared at the rate of 10 tablets per liter of water;
- a weak solution of manganese or boron 0.05% concentration;
- "Epin extra", the stimulant is diluted as follows: 6 drops of bioadditives per 100 ml of water;
- "Zircon", the solution is prepared at the rate of 2-4 drops of liquid per liter of water.
Treatment with biostimulants will not only destroy pathogens, but also allow plants to adapt to temperature disasters, and also increase crop yields. Soaking is carried out in a cotton bag, which is dipped in heated (about 60 °) water, the liquid is allowed to drain and left for a day. During this time, the seeds should swell and crack a little. If this did not happen, planting them in the ground does not make sense: the culture will turn out to be weak. When planting, 2 seeds are placed in each mold, in the future this will allow you to remove a weaker branch.
Simultaneous soaking and heating of seeds is better preparation to seedlings. Melons are watered only with water at room temperature, while making sure that it does not irrigate the leaves. Seedlings of gourds are quite capricious and require good lighting, heat and accurate watering.
Special soil is sold in stores, but you can cook it yourself. To do this, mineral fertilizer "Kemira universal" is added to suitable soil. For each pot, 1 teaspoon is enough, then the earth is well mixed. Seeds are buried to a depth of 2-3 cm and watered. Under favorable conditions, the first shoots appear on the 5-6th day, and after a week you can see the first leaf.
Planting gourds in covered ground is carried out at the end of May. By this time, the soil will already be warm enough, and frosts will not hurt root system. Previously, young plants are recommended to be hardened, for this they are taken out into the street at a temperature of 13-15 degrees or the air in the room is cooled to these figures. The best age of seedlings for planting is approximately 25-30 days.
Before planting, the soil is covered with plastic wrap, in which holes for peat containers are cut. This allows not only to protect heat-loving crops from low temperatures but also increases productivity. Fertilizers are additionally added to the wells: humus, ash or mineral additives. From above, the nutrients are covered with a layer of earth.
The greenhouse should maintain optimal temperature and light conditions. The temperature during the day should be 20-25°, and at night - 15-18°. Water moderately and infrequently with warm water. To prevent condensation, the greenhouse must be periodically ventilated. Watermelons and melons are quite sensitive to excess moisture, their seedlings can rot, and the fruits themselves grow watery and tasteless. If it gets colder outside, you should cover the soil and young shoots with a film, cotton cloth or paper.
At the time of planting gourds in the greenhouse, you can have time to harvest young cabbage, early radishes and greens. This will not only additionally warm the soil, but also save space.
Boarding order
The scheme of planting in open ground is as follows. The distance between plants should be 40-50 cm for watermelons and 50-60 cm for melons. When grown together in a greenhouse, watermelons and melons are planted in a checkerboard pattern. Peat containers are buried shallowly in the ground, there should be a gap of about 3 cm between the leaves and the ground. This trick will further protect the plant from disease and decay.
When planting, the scheme and the distance between the rows are taken into account. It is usually recommended to plant in 2 rows, between which a piece of land 50 cm wide is left. next landing gourds in the ground are carried out at a distance of 80 cm from the first rows.
Care for melons in the greenhouse
Caring for watermelons and melons is not particularly difficult and not too laborious. Young shoots can be covered with cut plastic bottles, this protective frame allows you to increase the yield. As the plant grows, the bottle is removed or replaced with a higher shelter. When the stem has grown sufficiently in length, it is attached to a special support - a trellis, you can tie the top with a thread to the ceiling of the greenhouse. Heavy fruits are placed in nets, carton boxes. The main thing is that they do not come into contact with the ground.
7-10 days after disembarkation, you can feed nitrogen fertilizer- urea or saltpeter, for this, 20 grams of the substance is diluted in 10 liters of water.
Caring for gourds consists in loosening the soil, watering and top dressing. It is necessary to ensure that after planting, weeds do not appear between the sprouts. Young plants are watered once a week, then it is allowed to do this twice a month.
Watermelons and melons are drought-resistant crops, they germinate in the southern regions, where there is no rain long time considered normal. When the first fruits appear, watering is stopped. Irrigate melons should be carefully, making sure that water does not get on the root part of the stem. Otherwise, the culture may be damaged by rot.
Every 2-3 weeks, the soil should be fertilized with mullein infusion and minerals. During feeding, a small handful of ash can be added to each well.
Artificial pollination in a greenhouse is carried out by a male flower, it is determined by its impressive size. The flower is plucked and applied to female flowers. Before pollination, the crop should not be watered so that excess moisture does not affect the quality of the pollen. Many gardeners attract bees to pollination: they open the doors of the greenhouse, put saucers with sugar syrup.
plant formation
As they grow, the stems are bred in different sides. In the future, they are tied to wooden or metal trellises.
To teach a good harvest, you must follow the rules.
- On melons stop the apical part of the stem. This procedure will be sufficient for early maturing varieties. Late-ripening varieties of melon are docked differently. In addition to removing the top, the side parts are also examined, their thickness and power are estimated. Young lashes are removed, leaving 3-4 strong branches.
- With watermelons will have to tinker. The cultivation of this culture is carried out in one stem, it is chosen according to the presence of shoots in the leaf axils. The stems on which there is no ovary are removed, the rest are pinched. When the culture grows above the size of the trellis, the apical lash is re-pinched at the level of the 4-5th leaf.
Features of growing in open ground
Before planting plants in open ground, you should decide on a place. Watermelons and melons prefer to grow in somewhat elevated flat areas that are well warmed up and illuminated by the sun's rays. Here they grow better, bear abundant fruit and ripen early.
Care is carried out by loosening the soil, removing weeds and excess lashes. In the process of growth, several inter-row tillage is carried out. The first - when young leaves appear, to a depth of 6-8 cm, the second - when 5-6 true leaves appear, loosening can be combined with top dressing.
Harvest watermelons and melons as they ripen. The ripeness of watermelons is determined by the drying of the tendrils in the axils of the leaves, the disappearance of haze and the appearance of shine, and the lightening of the skin of the fruit. If you knock on a watermelon, there is a dull sound, but to distinguish it, you need to have practical skills.
The ripeness of a melon is determined by the dried stalk.
Are melons compatible?
Is it possible to plant watermelons and melons side by side? These crops consume from the soil similar chemical substances and require approximately the same processing methods. If you plant them side by side, this will greatly simplify the care procedures: watering, garter, bait. However, melons and gourds greatly impoverish the soil, and they can be planted in the same place only after a few years. To prevent this, watermelons and melons should be fed regularly. mineral fertilizers.
It is not recommended to collect seeds from watermelons and melons when they are planted together, since mutual pollination occurs. The result of such a hybrid may not be entirely palatable.
If you are the owner of a large plot of land, it is better to plant these crops in open ground in different places vegetable garden. If the plot is small, then they can be planted nearby, nothing bad will happen. The proximity of melons to each other will not affect the yield.
long liana, with carved leaves and hanging, huge, by home standards, fruits - this is how a watermelon at home may look . It is usually grown in the summer, when there is plenty of light and heat. And today, growing a watermelon at home on a windowsill is not at all a fantasy, because with proper care available decent harvest. How to grow watermelon at home - read the article.
Conditions for growing watermelon
The choice of soil, top dressing, watering, temperature and light conditions, and the choice of location determine how the watermelon will grow and whether it will produce edible fruits.
Place
It is preferable to grow watermelon on south side. The more sun, the better. Direct Sun rays are only to his advantage.
An ideal place at home would be a warm, sunny loggia or balcony. You can plant plants on the southern, western and eastern windows, the northern ones are categorically not suitable for them.
In fact, growing a watermelon on a balcony is not so difficult, you just need to comply with the necessary conditions.
Light
light day for successful cultivation watermelon is 12-14 hours. In the evenings, turn on LED, fluorescent lighting or phytolamps. On cloudy days, the lamps are left on all day.
Temperature
Watermelons are grown in high temperatures 25-30 °C during the day and not lower than 18 °C at night. It is especially necessary to monitor the thermometer during the formation of the ovary.
Watering
Regarding watering, the opinions of plant growers differ greatly. Some prefer regular, and even abundant watering, others talk about its strong limitation and its complete cessation during ripening, arguing that water is not needed to increase sugar content. In any case, seedlings are watered in the usual way, and watering a plant in the second stage of its life depends on a number of conditions, including experience.
Plant soil and fertilizer
The soil is prepared loose and fertile with a neutral reaction: 1 part sod land, sand, humus, plus one tenth ground wood ash. For disinfection, the soil is steamed in a water bath for 1.5–2 hours, kept in microwave oven 10-20 minutes, pour boiling water.
Feeding begins when the plant has 3 true leaves. Plants are watered with water, and then with complex mineral fertilizers (Kemira and others), diluted according to the instructions. The ratio of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium in them is this stage may well be shifted towards nitrogen, but it is better that they be equal. At the stage of formation of ovaries, they are fed again - phosphoric and potash fertilizers there should be more. After 2-3 weeks - the third time.
Planting watermelon seeds
Not all watermelons growing in open ground are suitable for growing at home. There are varieties that bear fruit indoors, such as Ogonyok, Crimson Sweet, Ultra Early, Sugar Baby, Siberian, Gift of the Sun, Kai F1, Cinderella, Gift to the North F1. They have good taste, do not need abundant light, early ripening, disease resistant.
Seeds of these varieties are characterized by good germination and if they are purchased from trusted suppliers and trademark reliable, then almost everything germinates. Before planting, they are kept for 10-15 minutes in a weak solution of potassium permanganate at a temperature of 50-55 ° C. Then they are placed in a damp cloth (sand, etc.) until they peck, after which they are planted 2 in cups for seedlings, digging 2 cm into the ground. You can plant them immediately in cups.
Interesting, but optional, is the stratification technique when germinating seeds in a humid environment, which stimulates the processes in the seed: they are kept for 12 hours on the bottom shelf of the refrigerator at a temperature of +6 ° C, then another 12 hours at room temperature. Repeat the process 2-3 times.
Growing seedlings of watermelon
2 weeks after the emergence of sprouts, weak seedlings are discarded and left in each cup, one of the strongest.
It is undesirable to plant watermelon seeds immediately in large containers: a large mass of undeveloped soil easily turns sour, and seedlings may die. Transplanted in a month, the plants are moved to a permanent place along with a clod of earth, in order not to injure the roots.
Seedlings can be planted in open ground and get a good harvest in the garden. Pre-hardening: within a week, take out the seedlings for a short time every day in the open air.
The process of growing watermelon
After transshipment of seedlings into pots, the rapid growth of the root begins. It grows long, with well-developed lateral roots, so large containers are picked up - 5-15 liters.
Pinching is done over 3-4 leaves, lateral branches are directed vertically or allowed horizontally. They also grow with one lash, in which case flowers and fruits will appear faster.
Flowering (after 30-50 days) and fruiting of watermelon depends on the variety, which are early, mid-ripening and late-ripening. It is interesting that, depending on the timing of flowering, flowers appear in different leaf axils: in early ripening - in 4-11 leaf axils, with an average period - at 15-18, late ones - at 20-25. Any variety can be grown in the house, but given the thermophilicity and light-loving nature, early varieties are preferred.
To obtain the fruit, the flowers are pollinated artificially. Watermelon has 2 types of flowers - male and female, which appear both on the main and on the side shoots. male flowers(developed stamens, thin peduncle) pollinate the female ones (developed pistil, thick peduncle) and wait for the fruit to set. Peduncle enlargement female flower means that the little watermelon has begun to grow. With a vertical arrangement of the lashes, it becomes necessary to attach it to prevent breakage.
In the house, you should not leave more than 2 watermelons on the branches if you want to enjoy delicious pulp. The shoots are pinched after the formation of the fruit so that the forces go to its maturation, and not to growth.
From planting to the end of the growing season takes an average of 3 months. At home, it is difficult to grow a fetus over 1 kg. Wait until the watermelon ripens and perhaps it will taste better than the store-bought ones. Recall that in a mature fruit, the bark is glossy, the peduncle is dried up, without hairs. when knocking, a ringing sound is heard.
But, even following all the rules of care, there is no guarantee that you can get a large watermelon on the windowsill or balcony. And yet, the cultivation of such exotic plant will bring a lot of fun and new skills for growing unique plants at home.
You can try to grow watermelons for years, but only those who know the characteristics of the culture succeed in tasty ripe fruits. From the article you will learn about the nuances of agricultural technology of this heat-loving plant.
Planting watermelons
Planting watermelons begins when the soil warms up to 15-17 ° C. On light soils, the seeds are planted to a depth of 6-9 cm, and if the seeds are small, to a depth of 4-6 cm. Each plant should have 1-6 square meters of area - it depends on the variety, soil type and climate.
Before sowing, the seeds are soaked for a day in water at room temperature so that shoots appear quickly and amicably.
in the greenhouse
IN polycarbonate greenhouses watermelons can create more comfortable conditions than outdoors. Sometimes watermelons in greenhouses are grown in vertical culture, on trellises. You need to install props in advance, even before sowing.
Before planting, the soil is dug up along with fertilizers. The holes are marked at a distance of 40-50 cm from each other. The beds are shed with water heated to 25 degrees and above. Two seeds are planted in each hole to a depth of 5-6 cm and covered with a film on top.
In the first week after sowing, no care is required. When the temperature in the greenhouse rises above 30 degrees, the building will have to be ventilated. In the future, caring for plants in a greenhouse does not differ from care in the open field.
In the open field
For planting watermelons choose a sunny place. In order for the plants to get more summer heat, it is worth planting them early. To do this, watermelons are grown with seedlings or the beds are preheated for several days, covering them with black plastic wrap and pouring hot water over them.
The scheme for planting watermelons in open ground depends on the length of the lashes of this variety. Optimal distance between holes:
- short climbing and bush varieties (Bonta, Coral, Gift of the Sun, Eureka) - 70x70 cm;
- medium climbing varieties (Astrakhansky, Bedouin, Krimstar, Ogonyok, Shuga Baby) - 80x80 cm;
- long climbing varieties (Memory Kholodov, Boston, Viking, Sprinter) - 150x100 cm.
Protect tender plants from the cold, you can use the following technique: for each seedling put a cropped five-liter plastic bottle, and from above the entire bed is covered with a film on the arcs. Double shelter can save you from fairly severe frosts. IN middle lane under double shelter, watermelons can be sown not at the end of May, as usual, but in the first half of the month. Plants are kept under plastic caps until mid-June and removed when the leaves become crowded.
Watering
Watermelon is drought tolerant. Its roots have a high suction power and are able to absorb moisture from the soil, even if there is little of it. In addition, plants store water in succulent stems and fruits and can use it during critical periods.
However, moderate irrigation in the first half of the growing season will benefit the plants. The first watering is carried out about a week after germination, the water should be warm. During fruiting, watering is not necessary. When irrigated, watermelons significantly increase the yield.
How to fertilize
Watermelon does not need top dressing if it is good to fill the soil before sowing, adding half a bucket of humus and a half-liter jar of ash for every square meter for digging. One tablespoon of azophoska is additionally sprinkled into each well, mixed well with the soil, watered, and then either seeds are sown or seedlings are planted.
Watermelon needs trace elements. Plants will be grateful for top dressing with microelements on leaves with an interval of 2 weeks.
At night, watermelons should not be supercooled. In the cold, the roots of the plant stop working, and nature arranged it so that the fruits of watermelons grow at night. If the night promises to be cold, a film is thrown over the bed.
Watermelons are watered very carefully, from a hose or bucket, by flooding, trying not to wet the leaves and fruits.
Watermelons have an increased need for phosphorus, and they prefer chlorine-free potash fertilizers.
The culture is very susceptible powdery mildew and anthracnose. For prevention, it is enough to spray the lashes with Bordeaux mixture once before flowering.
