Melon gold Scythians cultivation. Better varieties of melons for your table. Sowing and planting seedlings of melons

Melon is a fragrant fruit native to Central and Asia Minor. There is a lot of disagreement about what a melon really is: a vegetable, a fruit, or a berry. In a botanical sense, the sweet "sunny" gifts of nature are members of the Cucurbitaceae family and belong to the Cucumber genus. Cucumber is considered a vegetable, but there is no definite answer about melon.

The thing is that scientists classify fruits according to one criteria, and in cooking and trade - according to completely different parameters. The fact that the concept of “fruit” does not exist in science at all adds to the confusion, this term is used in everyday life. Most often, melon is called either a "false berry" or a "dessert vegetable."

It is caused by a complex and multicomponent composition. It includes vitamins: A, C, E, B (1,2,5,6,9), PP. Rich "dessert vegetable" and trace elements: copper, magnesium, zinc, iron, calcium, manganese, sodium, potassium.

Useful properties of melon

The healing and beneficial properties of the Asian "false berry" have long been used to treat and prevent many diseases.

Its low calorie content makes it an enjoyable part of a diet menu.

A slagged organism simply needs the fragrant melon pulp. It very effectively cleanses the gastrointestinal tract of toxins.

Useful amber dessert and to strengthen the immune system, so resistance to disease increases dramatically.

The Asian fetus has a positive effect on eye health, the threat of developing ophthalmic diseases is reduced.

Potassium is one of the most important components that are included in the melon pulp in a fairly large amount (267 mg), lowers blood pressure and improves the functioning of the nervous system.

Melon helps to fight disorders in the joints. It prevents the development of diseases such as osteoporosis and arthritis.

A very useful product for the cardiovascular system. Regular consumption of juicy fruits reduces the likelihood of heart attack, atherosclerosis and stroke.

The diuretic properties of melon improve the functioning of the kidneys and bladder.

Selecting the right variety

The choice of planting material is one of the most important steps in melon cultivation.

After all, half the success depends on how well the variety is selected. The first thing to consider is whether this kind of melon is suitable for the climatic conditions of a particular region. In Russia, only the southern part of the territory can boast of warm and sunny summers. In Siberia, the central regions, the northwestern parts of Russia, in the Urals, nature is not so friendly, summers are cool, and daylight hours are shorter.

Therefore, when choosing the best melon seeds, for example, for Siberia, you need to pay attention to when planting seedlings is more successful, as well as to the recommended growing regions. For the central and northwestern regions of Russia, they are better suited, because they will grow faster and form fruits in such conditions. Medium and late varieties may not have time to produce a crop, as their growing season takes longer.

Also, when buying seeds, you should pay attention to growing conditions and information on how to plant. On the packaging, manufacturers usually indicate where it is better to grow a variety: in a “roofed garden” or in open areas.

Varieties and varieties of melon

To date, a huge number of varieties and varieties of melons have been bred: early, medium, late, elongated and round, flattened and similar to an ellipse.

According to external signs, melons are usually divided into the following varieties:

Golden

Smooth-skinned varieties include Golden melon of medium yield. The fruits ripen on the 80th day after the start of seedling germination. The variety is fertile, tolerates temperature drops, diseases, and is suitable for transportation over long distances. The fruits are medium-sized, the average weight of one "golden" melon is one and a half kilograms. The shape is spherical or slightly oval, the color is amber-yellow. The pulp is soft, white, sweet. The disadvantage of the variety is intolerance to high humidity, as well as overdryness of the soil.

Many reviews of the Golden melon speak of an unsurpassed honey taste and pleasant aroma of a sunny melon. Some comments indicate that without a "garden under glass", growing a plant outdoors is difficult to achieve a good harvest. The responses about the Golden variety are united by one thing - a beautiful and radiant color, high taste and an unusual aroma.

Scythian Gold

Netted melon Zlato Scythov also forms a crop in a short time. The growing season for this variety is small - 70-80 days. The fruits are round, small in size (1.2 - 1.4 kg), on top they are “dressed” in the finest mesh. The yellow flesh has an excellent aroma and taste. Some reviews of the melon Gold of the Scythians indicate that representatives of the variety love warmth and light, as well as soil enriched with organic matter. To get good results, it is necessary to provide the plant with good light, a comfortable temperature and fertile soil.

Dune

One of the early ripe varieties - melon Dune reaches ripeness on the 60-75th day after the start of the growing season. The shape of the fruit is ellipsoid, the color is yellow. From above the crust is “fitted” with a dense mesh. Inside the pulp is beige, sweet, juicy, crumbly, with a pleasant smell. The average weight of one fruit is 1.5 kilograms. Transportability indicators are high (the fruits do not crack during transportation). Numerous positive reviews about the Dune melon are associated with the excellent taste of the variety and high yields.

extraordinary

On the Internet, there are often reviews about the Unusual melon, as about the original fruit, either a pumpkin or a melon. Indeed, a round, flattened melon, covered with a pale yellow peel and divided into sections, vaguely resembles its distant relative, a pumpkin. The bright orange flesh is also similar to pumpkin. But the Extraordinary variety is a real melon. The fruits are large, the average weight of each reaches three to three and a half kilograms. The aroma is not as pronounced as in other varieties, but the flesh is refreshing, sweetish, grainy and tender.

Oksana

Basically, the reviews about Oksana F1 melon are positive. This is explained by the fact that the variety is intended for long-term storage. Og is valued for its high yields, as well as its resistance to common crop diseases: powdery mildew, necrotic spots, fusarium. Refers to plants with medium early fruit ripening. The growing season lasts about sixty days. Melons grow large, yellow-orange, the average weight of one fruit is approximately six kilograms. The pulp is compacted, snow-white, sweet. The shape of the dessert vegetable is oval, the crust is “painted” with a mesh pattern.

Another advantage of Oksana melon is a small internal “capsule” for seeds, which gives a significant advantage, since the thickness of one slice becomes larger.

Gerda

Approving reviews of melon Gerda F1 confirm the incredible precocity of the variety. Due to the fact that the first melons appear on the eightieth day after the mass shoots of seedlings, the plant is considered one of the best for growing in the northern regions (in "warm gardens" - greenhouses). It is also suitable for harsh climates because it responds quite well to short daylight hours. The fruits are small (1.5-2 kg), light yellow, with a mesh on the peel. The flesh is beige, tender, with a pleasant taste and smell.

Slavia

The late-ripening melon Slavia is well suited for growing both indoors and outdoors. Round yellowish-green fruits are simply striated with a dense, pronounced mesh. The flesh is white, firm, juicy and sweet. Slavia is a large-fruited variety, the mass of one melon reaches three kilograms. The variety is very hardy: it “resists” diseases well, is not afraid of drought, and is suitable for long-term transportation. So that the fruits do not come into contact with the ground and do not rot, it is advisable to lay a water-repellent flooring under the whips.

Roksolana

The successor to everyone's favorite variety Kolkhoznitsa, Roksolana melon has become a worthy replacement for her. The variety is a mid-early hybrid plant, giving a harvest on the sixtieth - seventieth day after the start of growth. The bright yellow fruit is covered with a glossy crust, in some places excised with an openwork mesh. Melons grow small, one and a half kilograms, with creamy beige flesh. The taste qualities of the variety are very high: sweet, soft and unusually fragrant melon. Despite the delicate structure and thin crust, the fruits of the variety are suitable for transportation. The positive qualities include the fact that the variety does not present unexpected "surprises" and consistently bears fruit. By planting a Roksolana melon, you can be sure that at the end of summer, “solar balls” will definitely ripen in the garden. Growing without greenhouses is possible in the Nizhnevolzhskaya region, in cooler regions it is better to plant Roksolana melons under cover.

Gourmand

The melon variety Lakomka is medium early, the fruits are ready for use on the seventieth - eightieth day after the first green leaves appeared on the soil surface. Commendable reviews about melon Lakomka are found in many forums. It says that the variety is resistant to many troubles that can befall a garden crop: sudden changes in temperature, diseases, “injuries” during transportation.

The fruits of the plant are round, greenish-yellow in color, cut with a mesh "ornament". The pulp is greenish-beige, tender and juicy in taste. Lakomka weighs a kilogram or two, some specimens reach almost three kilogram results.

Torpedo

If the Kolkhoznitsa variety can be considered a European culture, then the Torpedo melon is an Uzbek delicacy. In Uzbekistan, she is better known as Mirzachulskaya. You can't confuse such a melon with anything. Long as a projectile, it really resembles a torpedo. The crust of yellow color is braided with "fine lace" from a dense mesh. The pulp is very juicy, with a pleasant aroma and sweet taste. A torpedo is a large-fruited melon; in its historical homeland, it reaches large sizes and can weigh about fifteen kilograms. In the temperate climate of Russia, it is difficult to grow such a melon more than five kilograms.

Speaking about the agricultural technology of the Torpedo variety, it should be noted that it is very thermophilic, therefore it is most often grown in "glazed gardens". Another point to consider is that the variety is late, not suitable for all regions. It takes a lot of patience and work to grow such a southern plant. The plant is climbing, with powerful shoots reaching two meters in height. Therefore, it is impossible to do without trellises, on which the plant will rely.

An Asian plant with bright, yellow, sweet and juicy fruits fell in love with people in all countries. Juicy sunny-colored fruits have not only become a fragrant dessert, but also help to cope with many diseases. The vitamins included in its composition make the "dessert vegetable" a useful product that should be present on the tables in the autumn. many, for example, there are still those that were not considered in the article: Vietnamese, Ethiopian, Amal, Dakar, Raymond.

Melon is a representative of melon culture, a species of the Cucumber genus.

These pumpkins are valued for their great sweet taste that will appeal to even the pickiest child who doesn't want to eat fruit.

In addition to sugar, the pulp of melons contains vitamins A, C and P, as well as ascorbic acid, salts of iron, sodium, potassium, and fiber.

Melon is valued for quenching thirst and refreshing the mouth.

In cooking, melon is combined even with meat, in particular, with entrecote, since seemingly incompatible products, when properly processed, create an excellent flavor combination.

What varieties should be planted in your area? Just read the information below and you will know everything.

Variety "Canaria"

Hybrid melon with very early ripening - 60-70 days. The bush is very similar to cucumber, that is, the shoots are represented by long vines.

The root system is well developed. The fruits are large, the mass reaches 1.5 - 3 kg. The shape of these melons is oval, the surface is smooth, not reticulated, with a slight pubescence, of a beautiful yellow color.

The pulp of this variety is very fragrant, light green in color, with a wonderful sweet melon taste with hints of honey. The thickness of the edible layer reaches 6 - 7 cm. There are a lot of ways to use Canaria melons.

The fruits can be eaten fresh, dried for candied fruits, prepared melon jam, jam and preserves. These melons look very good, and they do not spoil during transportation, so they can be grown for commercial purposes. The Canaria hybrid has high immunity to anthracnose, fusarium and powdery mildew. The yield averages 2 kg per sq. m.

Variety "Canaria" is very susceptible to light and heat, therefore, a greenhouse method of breeding this crop is recommended. Under the film, it can be grown in spreading, and in greenhouse conditions it is recommended to use the trellis method.

It is necessary to sow seeds for seedlings in early to mid-May, so that the seedlings are strong enough before transplanting into the ground. You can drop the seeds no deeper than 3 - 4 cm. In the process of growing seedlings, when the time of planting is approaching, it will be necessary pinch the stem over the fourth leaf.

Between adjacent beds, you need to make intervals of 40 - 50 cm, between holes - 50-80 cm.

Canaria melons need regular watering with warm water. But the degree of soil moisture must be kept under control in order to prevent waterlogging, which can lead to root rot.

It is also necessary loosen the ground around the bushes, only you need to do this very carefully so as not to hook the roots of the bushes. It is also necessary to pinch the shoots so that the fruits ripen faster and better. The procedure for fertilizing is very similar to the same process, but in the case of growing cucumbers.

Variety "Princess Anna"

Hybrid, and early. It takes 60-70 days after germination for the fruits to reach maturity. The bushes are powerful, strong.

Melons of this variety are very beautiful in appearance, the skin is milky white, smooth. The fruits are formed in the form of ovals, the weight reaches 1.4 - 2.2 kg.

Inside, these melons are creamy orange, very juicy and dense. Honey taste. The use of melons of the "Princess Anna" variety is very diverse, that is, they are suitable for drying, and fresh, and for the preparation of various kinds of products.

This variety of melons is characterized by high resistance to diseases, as well as adaptability to changing weather conditions.

Because of their unpretentiousness, the bushes of these melons will grow well in open ground, not only in spreading, but also on a trellis. You need to start with seedlings, sowing seeds for which is best done in May.

The issue of picking depends on how much the roots filled the container. Before planting, be sure to pinch the tops of the shoots so that the seedlings have more strength to take root in the ground. The landing pattern is standard 50x80 cm.

Care for bushes of melons of this variety is normal. You just need to regularly water the plants, feed and cultivate the soil around them.

After the fruits have already appeared, it will be necessary to cut off the tops of the shoots above the fifth or sixth leaf, while leaving 3 to 5 fruits on the bush. Then the melons will ripen faster and be of high quality.

If you see that after about 10 to 15 days the fruits are already ripe, then you will need to stop watering the bushes so that the fruits are not watery.

Variety "Sweet pineapple"

Early hybrid (65 - 70 days). Plants develop well, form fairly strong roots. Fruits are oval-shaped, yellow-orange in color, weighing up to 2.5 kg.

The surface is rough, covered with a large mesh. The flesh of this variety is yellow-green, smells like pineapple and is very sweet in taste. This hybrid was vaccinated against anthracnose.

Also, the bushes of this melon are not afraid of bad weather conditions and temperature fluctuations. Due to its palatability, this variety is suitable for commercial cultivation.

Seeds can be sown at the moment when the temperature of the earth has reached at least 15 ° C. Seedlings of melons “love” rather high temperatures, namely 25-30 ° C. Before planting, the seedlings should be in peat pots for at least 25 - 30 days.

The landing pattern is normal. It is better to grow melons of this variety in greenhouse shelters, but only in a place where there is a lot of sunlight. Then the seedlings will take root faster, and the fruits will soon reach maturity.

These melons need a lot of light and water, so it is not advisable to subject the plants to such tests as drought or hypothermia. If at night the temperature drops significantly, then it is better cover the bed with plastic wrap.

Be sure to loosen the soil so that oxygen flows evenly to all roots. You can also cover the ground with sawdust or straw to keep weeds from growing.

Variety "Early sweet"

A variety with an average ripening time (71 - 80 days). The bushes are very similar in appearance to cucumber ones, the flowers of both plants are of the same yellow color.

The fruits are almost spherical, slightly oblong, weighing 2-3 kg. The peel is bright yellow, smooth to the touch, there is no mesh. The fleshy part of the melons is cream-colored with a yellow tint, melts in the mouth, tastes sweet, has a great aroma.

Neither powdery mildew nor anthracnose will be able to hit the bushes of this variety. In addition to these advantages, melon "Early sweet" withstands unsettled weather and is also very cold hardy.

Sowing seeds should be done approximately 26 to 33 days before transplanting into the ground. It is better to grow these melons in a greenhouse, but in a southern climate, fruiting will be active even in unprotected land. Be sure to pinch the tops of the shoots on each seedling so that the plant does not release stepchildren too actively. Landing pattern is normal.

For plants of this melon, regular watering, pinching and a few top dressings will be enough. It is thanks to their unpretentiousness that the care of these plants is so simple.

At first, the water for irrigation should be warm, but when the daytime temperature becomes warm enough, it will be possible to switch to cold. Stepson bushes need after the appearance of the 6th leaf. The normal load per plant will be 3-5 fruits. When top dressing, it is important not to overdo it with nitrogen fertilizers, otherwise the fruits will not be very good.

Variety "Gold of the Scythians"

Early hybrid melon. The fruits can be consumed and used 75 to 80 days after seed germination.

Bushes are ordinary, have no differences from plants of other varieties. The fruits are round-oblong, weighing 1 - 1.5 kg, yellow in color, with a large mesh.

The pulp is yellow, very juicy, sweet, with a pleasant smell. Possesses powdery mildew resistance. These melons will sell well due to their taste.

The beginning of April is the best time to dig seeds for seedlings of this dina. After 30 - 35 days, it will be possible to transplant seedlings into the ground, moreover, closed, since this variety is designed specifically for growing in a greenhouse.

It is necessary to dig seedlings rarely, according to the scheme 70x150 cm.

Watering these plants should be moderate so that there is no excess moisture in the ground. Especially carefully you need to water the bushes when the melons themselves ripen.

It would be preferable to put the bushes on a trellis so that it is easier to harvest and care for the plants. When the length of the shoots reaches 50 cm, then all stepchildren will need to be removed. All other trimming procedures will need to be carried out at the level of the first - third sheet.

Variety "Golden"

Medium-early melon, from the moment of germination of seedlings, 70 - 80 days pass before the fruits ripen sufficiently.

Plants are strong, beautiful, with developed roots close to the surface. Fruits are rich yellow, oval, with stripes.

Weight fluctuates between 1.5 and 2 kg. The flesh is pale yellow, juicy, with a nectar flavor and a melon aroma. These melons not only taste great, but also high concentration of various vitamins.

These fruits can be safely processed into jams and jams, dried, and also eaten fresh. This variety resistant to anthracnose and powdery mildew.

Seeds can be buried in containers for seedlings in mid-May. When 25 - 30 days pass after they germinate, it will be possible to transplant the seedlings into the ground.

If the climate of the region is changeable, then it is better to allocate space for these melons in the greenhouse. If everything is fine with the weather, then you can safely grow these plants in the open.

It is important that the seedlings have a lot of light, and it should be distributed evenly. The landing pattern is normal.

The variety is in fact unpretentious in care, which makes it easier to care for its plants. Therefore, these melons should be watered in a timely manner, but a short drought will not hurt much. Top dressing is best done along with watering, so that the nutrients pass into the soil better.

After fertilizing and watering, the soil must be loosened and mulched, otherwise weeds will develop around the beds. It is also necessary to pinch and pinch shoots.

Variety "Cinderella"

An early ripe hybrid variety that takes only 60 - 70 days for the onset of technical maturity of the fruit. The bushes are strongly woven, the foliage is medium.

The leaves are large, green, slightly dissected. The fruits are oval, yellow, despite the presence of a grid, the surface is smooth.

In weight reach 1 - 1.2 kg, but high yield variety- 4 kg per sq.m. The pulp is cream-colored, formed in a layer 3-3.5 cm thick, crunches on the teeth, very sweet and fragrant.

"Cinderella" has high disease resistance as well as temperature changes. This variety is characterized by a long preservation of appearance and taste for 15 - 20 days after the breakdown. Therefore, the transportability of the fruit is good.

Seedlings should be planted no earlier than the beginning of May, otherwise they will overgrow in pots. 25 - 30-day-old seedlings can be dug in, and not only in closed ground. Under the open sky, the landing pattern is the same, namely 140x100 cm, and in the greenhouse it is different - 70x70 cm.

When the third or fourth leaf has already formed on the seedling, the seedlings can be transplanted.

The variety itself very unpretentious so it's very easy to take care of it. That is, you need to constantly water the bushes with warm water, it is possible with the addition of fertilizers.

39 times already
helped

If in the south of Russia melons feel almost at home, then in the middle lane they lack warmth and sun to fully ripen and fill with juiciness and sweetness. After all, this light-loving plant, so in need of warmth for full growth, is used to completely different conditions that differ from the Russian terrain. Many people think about how to grow a melon in a greenhouse in the regions, believing, not without reason, that the desired result can be obtained in a greenhouse.

Melons ripen in a greenhouse

For melons, greenhouses made of polycarbonate or film are perfect. A warm garden should be prepared from the end of March. Clear the surface of snow, then carefully check all the cracks. Joint the material tightly, and if gaps are found, eliminate them. This can be detrimental to fragile stems of seedlings.

A greenhouse for growing melons must have a suitable volume. Height not less than 2 meters. On 1 m2, you need to insert 2 trellises (vertical wooden or polycarbonate rods along which the stem winds). In addition to the fixing part, the plant needs a sufficient amount of light. Therefore, if your design or climatic conditions do not allow the plant to be fully saturated with light, purchase additional lamps. In addition, it should be borne in mind that melon does not like excessive moisture. Permissible moisture content - 60%.

After the greenhouse is ready to grow your crop, make a bed of organic manure.

Experienced gardeners prefer to grow melons separately from other crops.

Fertile soil preparation

For cultivation of melons in greenhouse conditions, at least 40 cm of land allotment per plant is required. It turns out that 1 m? no more than two melons can grow. This fact should be taken into account when trellis placement of melon lashes. Loose loose earth is ideal for planting gourds. The soil should not be acidic and saline.

Before growing a melon in a greenhouse, the soil must first be fertilized. For these purposes, use leafy humus, peat, the contents of compost pits, rotted hay or animal fertilizer. A suitable period for the introduction of organics will be the beginning of April. When you start planting seeds for seedlings, then you will need to dig up the ground by 30-40 cm. Pour fertilizer into the resulting hole. The organic mass is evenly distributed at the rate of 1 m? per 2 kg of fertilizer. Ash can be added if desired. It will add sweetness and richness to the fruits.

After the fertilizer is applied, it is watered with hot water, and the excavated earth is laid out on top. So the prepared layer is left for 10-14 days, so that the introduced mass “burns out”.

How to grow seedlings from seeds

Random species for growing melons in a greenhouse should not be chosen. There are specially tested varieties suitable for growing in the middle lane.

Suitable varieties for melons in the greenhouse

They have been tested by experienced gardeners for more than one year. From these crop varieties, a large crop is harvested, which ripens in a short time. Here is a list of suitable names for greenhouses:

• Gold;
• Dunna F1;
• Krinichanka;
• Scythian Gold F1;
• Amal F1;
• mallet;
• Titovka;
• Dana;
• Lada.

Choose varieties that suit your climate

For northern Russian latitudes fit:

• Barnaulka;
• golden;
• Amber;
• Altai;
• hybrid;
• Dessert;
• Dream;
• Early-133.

Advantages and disadvantages of greenhouse varieties

Greenhouse varieties have been tested by experienced gardeners for more than a year, each of them has its own characteristics:

Zlata is not afraid of drought. The fruits of this variety-culture grow and ripen evenly. Vegetative growth lasts 75-90 days. Ripe melon has a golden yellow color.

The average weight of Zlata is from 1.5 to 2.5 kg

The hybrid variety Dunna F1 is known for its high yield. Melons grow together, several fruits are formed in the ovary at once. They reach maturity as early as 75 days.

Krynychanka ripens in 70 days. The melons and gourds have a yellow-orange color, juicy yellow-greenish flesh, a sweet taste and a thin skin.

Transportability near Krynychanka is average

Scythian gold F1 was bred by hybridization. The fruits ripen in 75-80 days. They have a pleasant fruity aroma and divine sweet taste. The pulp is juicy, yellow. The average fruit weight is 1.5 kg. The peel of Gold Scythians F1 is covered with a yellow-white mesh.

Amal F1 belongs to the Pineapple type. Melons ripen in 70 days. Fruit weight around 3 kg. The fruits of this variety are characterized by a certain oval shape and an alluring sweet aroma.

Pineapple varieties of melons have a sinewy mesh on the outside, and fine-grained seeds are inside

Ripe melons of the Kiyanka variety are ready for harvest on the 60th day. Round fruits have a shiny, even surface of yellow color and a thin skin. The mallet is known for its lemon color and missing pattern.

Titovka is another popular variety for greenhouse cultivation. By right, he is recognized as one of the precocious. The growing season is only 55 days.

Fragrant Titovka reaches a weight of 2 kg

Dana is ready to be harvested on day 90. The oval shape of the fruit at this point is saturated with a yellow-golden color. From above the peel is covered with mesh strips. Dana matures weighing up to 1.5 kg.

From the moment of germination of sprouts to harvesting, the Lada variety takes an average of 75 days. Melons are round in shape. The fruits have a weak aroma and crispy flesh. Juiciness is moderate.

Lada is famous for its excellent taste

Quality selection of seeds

The germination of the crop will depend on the quality of the selected seeds, therefore, for a good harvest, certain conditions must be observed:

• for sowing, choose seeds suitable for native latitudes;
• Seeds should have a long shelf life. Do not take those whose suitability is running out;
• buy only proven varieties;
• stock up on early ripe crops so that the fruits have time to ripen in a timely manner;
• crops whose fruits weigh more than 3 kg are not suitable for greenhouse cultivation. Small melons develop better.

Seeds do not have to be bought, you can harvest them yourself

Sowing and caring for seedlings

Before sowing, the seeds must be soaked in a solution of weak manganese. Leave dense large seeds, and remove the rest. In the first half of April, plant melon grains in planting cups. These can be both ordinary plastic cups with holes at the bottom, and polyethylene, self-decomposing, cardboard or plastic containers.

Mix the earth with humus in proportions of 1: 3. Plant one seed in each glass. You can plant them in large containers at a distance of at least 10 cm from each other. Sowing depth is not more than 3 cm. Place all planting pots on the windowsill, so the sun will contribute to the early germination of seeds.

The optimum temperature for the emergence of melon seedlings is not less than 21 ° C. When the first two leaves appear on the plant, it must be fed with a mixture of nitrogen, phosphorus and potash fertilizers or a mixture of ash and potassium sulfate. After two weeks, the procedure should be repeated.

For the comfort of the seedlings, move the cups away from each other at such a distance that they do not touch the leaves. All this time, the growing culture must be watered with warm water. In total, the growth period of seedlings is 35 days. When the plant has 5 full-fledged leaves, transplant it into the ground, and pinch the top of the densest shoot.

For uniform growth, seedlings are exposed to the south side.

Features of planting seedlings in the ground

Seedlings need to be planted in the ground, the temperature of which is kept at 15 ° C. Before the procedure, you need to dig a hole and pour it abundantly with at least 1 liter of water. It will turn out a slurry from the earth, it is there that the ascending plant should be placed. No more than 2 seedlings can be planted in one hole. As they grow, the lashes are directed in different directions. The distance between them must be at least 40 cm. Between the rows, an interval of 70 cm must be maintained.

Seeding rows and distance between them

If you grew seedlings in peat pots, then you do not need to remove seedlings from there. When transplanting a plant from plastic cups, it is important to be careful. Gently turn the container over, holding the clod at the base of the stem. Tap on the back of the glass and remove the seedling.

Quality melon seedlings

In case you used containers or pots for growing seedlings, then water the future melons abundantly and wait until the earth is saturated with water. Make sure that the root ball is intact when extracting. Then transplant the plant into the ground.

After planting seedlings spud them with earth

Home melon care

After the melon is planted in the ground, you can relax a bit. But you should not forget about some care measures.

Temperature and watering requirements

Keep the greenhouse temperature below 30°C. Open the vents daily for ventilation, if the temperature outside the greenhouse walls allows.

If you notice that the earth is covered with a crust, then take care of weeding. So the plant will receive more oxygen. It is worth doing this procedure before the first flowers appear.

Pollination of melons is done in a similar way.

Watering for melons needs moderate. It is better to wait until the leaves begin to droop. So the melon will let you know that the roots need moisture. If the plant has an excess of moisture, then there is a risk of spreading rot.

From fertilizers, ammonium nitrate or ash should be applied weekly. After the fruits begin to ripen, feeding should be stopped. This will protect the fetus from the accumulation of nitrates.

You need to grow melons in bright greenhouses

Greenhouse pollination and thinning

Due to the fact that melons and gourds are almost always in a closed space, bees have limited access to them. Accordingly, natural pollination is unlikely. For melons to bear fruit, pollination must be done by hand.

How to tie melons

After the flowers have grown, pick one male bud. It will be distinguished by a swollen area at the base of the flower. Swipe them over women's flower bowls. They grow, as a rule, on the sides of the whip and are smaller. There are four female flowers for every male flower. This action must be performed when the flowers are fully opened. Be sure to check whether pollen has spilled onto the pestle. It is a small grain of yellow-white color, which are in the flower. If required, repeat the procedure.

The first tying to the trellis is performed on the 10th day after planting the seedlings.

With a positive outcome of the operation, fruits will begin to form. When they reach the size of a ripe apricot, then thinning should be carried out. Leave no more than 4-5 "balls" on one plant, tear off the rest. So all the nutrients and moisture will go to the full development of the surviving fruits. Upon completion of the procedure, you need to make abundant watering and fertilize the soil.

Collecting the long-awaited harvest

With the successful development of the fruits and their timely ripening, the first crop can be harvested in mid-July. It is very simple to understand this - the ripened fruit emits a pleasant fruity aroma. There are cracked rings at the base of the ponytail, and if you press a little further, a trace of pressure will remain. The surface of a ripe melon springs when squeezed. The color of the fetus should be saturated.

Immediately after harvesting, you can start tasting the fragrant fruit. If you plan to store fruits for a long time, then you need to stock up on cardboard boxes. As in the garden, melons do not like tightness during storage. Put them together with paper and leave it like that until use in a dark, cool place. Remember that moisture is detrimental to the preservation of the crop.

Despite the fact that the melon comes from the cucumber genus, it is customary to classify it as a fruit.

By following the above rules for the care and cultivation of melons in a greenhouse, you will be able to harvest a full-fledged crop, even if you are new to this business. It's not that hard to do. It is enough just to follow a certain sequence, and you will not notice how it will be necessary to harvest from the greenhouse. Do not be afraid to take risks, melon is a crop that can be cultivated almost everywhere, with the exception of the northern regions, where the earth barely warms up.

Southern plants are moving further and further to northern dachas, now melon cultivation is possible both in the Urals and in Siberia. The main thing is not to be afraid, not to doubt, but just get down to business. You grow cucumbers - the melon is a little more capricious, but the pleasure of a sweet juicy slice will pay off all the effort. Of course, in the north, caring for southern crops is more difficult than in the Kuban - you will have to work hard to get a decent harvest. Do not hesitate, buy seeds and get down to business.

Preparing seeds for sowing

If you want to master the cultivation of melons in the open field, first of all, purchase high-quality seeds. The choice of variety for residents of the southern regions depends only on the preferences of the gardener: in a long and warm summer, any variety will have time to develop well and bear fruit. If the summer in your area is short and cool, choose seeds of local selection, they are already adapted to the unfavorable climate.

Be sure to pay attention to the ripening time of the fruits: the faster the harvest ripens, the more melons will be on your table. Don't chase large-fruited species, they reach the right size too slowly, and no amount of excellent care will speed up this process.

There are several good varieties that can be grown in cool northern summers:

• Cinderella;
• Early sweet;
• Scythian gold;
• Collective farmer;
• Ethiopian;
• Sweet pineapple.

Do not grow melons from discounted seeds that are past their expiration date. Fresh seed gives more friendly seedlings and is more profitable as a result.

A good harvest can be obtained from seedlings of melon seeds that your neighbor has grown on his plot. The plant has already adapted to the local soil, weather conditions and passed on these properties to future generations. There are two subtleties in this matter: firstly, the variety should not be a hybrid. The second condition: the fruits must fully ripen in the garden. If a melon is picked green and left to ripen indoors, there is no guarantee that the grains will be viable.

Crops on the windowsill

In the warm zone, many gardeners plant melon seeds immediately in the garden. In cold regions, grains planted in open ground will not have time to develop and bear fruit. On average, seedlings, if properly cared for, are ready for planting a month after sowing the seeds. If the weather in your area is suitable in early June, start sowing at the end of April. Soak the seeds in warm water and leave for several hours at a temperature of about 25⁰.

You can use the experience of our great-grandmothers. They wrapped the seeds in a damp cloth and put them in their underwear. The warmth and energy of your body will serve as a good stimulant for the rapid awakening of the embryos.

You can buy gourds or prepare the composition yourself. Fill the bucket ¾ full with humus and ¼ with garden soil. Add three more components to the soil:

• potash fertilizer - 1 tbsp. the spoon;
• nitrogen fertilizer - 1 tbsp. the spoon;
• phosphorus fertilizer - 3 tbsp. spoons.

If you are against chemical fertilizers, add a teaspoon of potassium sulfate and a glass of ash to the ground. It is better not to throw seeds on the surface of the soil, but stick them sideways into the ground and sprinkle 3 cm of earth.

In order for young melons to take root well, it is desirable to minimally injure their root system. The ideal option is peat pots with a diameter of about 10 cm. If there are no suitable cups, take a plastic bottle, make drainage holes in the bottom, and cut off the neck. Each plant needs to allocate an individual "apartment". If you are not sure about the quality of the seeds, you can plant 2 grains in each container, but then it is advisable to remove the weaker shoot.

Growing seedlings

Seedlings have appeared in the cups, now they need to turn into good strong seedlings. What kind of care do your pets need? Almost the same as any other seedling.

Remember a few points that should not be forgotten.

1. Watering. Make sure the soil is always moist.
2. Space.
3. Comfortable temperature.
4. Sufficient lighting.
5. Top dressing.

Melon does not tolerate crowding, so arrange the cups so that the leaves of neighboring plants do not touch each other. With a lack of light, the seedlings will begin to stretch. In order for the seedlings to grow strong, daylight hours must last at least 12 hours. If the sun rarely looks out the window, turn on a fluorescent lamp above the plantings. Monitor the air temperature, but do not overheat the seedlings. A comfortable temperature for her is + 25⁰, and above + 30⁰ the plants will begin to die.

There is not enough food in the pot for the entire period. 2 weeks after sowing, you need to dilute complex fertilizer in water and feed the seedlings. Water the plants immediately afterwards. Repeat the procedure a few days before planting in the ground. In addition, do not forget to loosen the earth in cups - that's the whole care for the seedlings of the southern culture.

At the age of 3 weeks, seedlings should be gradually accustomed to life in the open air. Take out the pots to the loggia or veranda, where during the day the temperature is about +17⁰, and at night it drops to +14⁰. Every evening, carefully listen to the weather forecast, that before a cold snap, remove the tender plants in the warmth. The melon does not tolerate the cold at all, and all your labors can perish in one night.

Landing in open ground

It is better to prepare a place for gourds on the ground where legumes, cabbage or potatoes grew last season. The site should be sunny, protected from drafts. Make a warm bed for your melons: dig a trench and fill it with humus and hay, straw, or fallen leaves. Pour fertilizer with a predominance of nitrogen, pour hot water, lay a layer of soil on top and cover with black covering material. Plant debris will begin to rot and the soil will always be warm. Not bad if you get a small ridge above the trench for planting young plants.

When the earth at a depth of 10 cm warms up to +18⁰, dig holes on the ridges 10 cm deep with a distance between rows of 120 cm, and between plants - 70 cm. Fill the holes with compost and spill well with warm water. In each hole you need to install 2 peat pots. The melons will not be crowded, their whips creep along the ground, and your task is to direct them in different directions. If the seedlings are growing in plastic cups, try to take out the entire clod of earth so that the roots remain in the ground. It is better to simply cut containers made from bottles into 2 halves; by the next planting season, you will accumulate new containers.

Well developed seedlings should have a thick stem and 3 to 5 true leaves. To make the lashes branch well, pinch the main sprout over the fifth leaf. Plant the plants so that the clod of soil is a couple of centimeters above the surface of the ridge. The soil immediately needs to be mulched, in addition to protecting against weeds and retaining moisture, a thick loose layer will give the roots additional warmth. While the weather is cool, make a shelter with a woven fabric or film.

So that the soil does not cool too much on cool nights, place "thermal accumulators" on the bed. Take stones or fill dark plastic bottles with water and place them near the seedlings. During the day, the sun will heat the stones, and at night they will give off heat to the earth. If the weather is cloudy and cold, heat the materials on the stove and spread them under the plants in the evening.

Garden melon care

The melon has large juicy fruits, but it does not experience a great need for moisture. Powerful roots go into the lower layers of the soil to a depth of more than a meter and suck up water from there. Make sure that the soil does not dry out, moisten it to a sufficient depth. And now the secret to getting especially sweet fruits. Once they grow to the right size, stop watering completely. The plant will receive water for its existence from the deep layers of the earth, and more sugary substances will be deposited in melons.

Immediately after planting, the melon needs a lot of nutrients for the development of lashes and leaves. A week after planting, when the plants take root, you need to water the plantings with a solution of ammonium nitrate (20 g per bucket of water). After 2 weeks, feed them with complex fertilizers, after another half a month, repeat the procedure. Treat your pets with wood ash from time to time, it makes the fruits sweeter.

Do not let the melon spend a lot of energy on green mass, leave no more than 2 main shoots. The plant can bloom very abundantly, but many fruits will not ripen on it. Leave no more than 6 ovaries on the bush. If any shoot does not form buds, cut it off to save strength for fruit development. Fasten long lashes to the ground with hairpins or brackets so that they are not ruffled by the wind.

If you notice that only one fruit grows well on a bush, and the rest hardly increase, it means that the plant lacks nutrients. Feed the melon with a complex fertilizer.

Summer days in the north are long, and some varieties, such as Kolkhoznitsa or Ethiopka, cannot stand bright light for more than 12 hours a day. Organize a darkening from a dense fabric and cover the plants when half a day has passed after sunrise. In order for the fruits to develop evenly, turn them over to the other side from time to time. Do not let the formed melons lie on the ground: they can rot from moisture before they have time to ripen. Put fragments of slate or other material under them that does not rot and does not collect moisture. You can determine the ripeness of the fruit by a bright yellow color and a specific smell.

Conclusion

Many varieties of melon grow well and bear fruit in the open field in the Urals and Siberia. Try to choose varieties with a short ripening period and small fruits so that they have time to ripen in the garden before the cold weather. The Kolkhoznitsa and Ethiopian melons are considered the most resistant to cold. In the northern regions, not every summer is warm, and despite all the efforts and excellent planting care, you may be left without a juicy treat. To have your own melon on the table every year, grow more seedlings from seeds and plant a few bushes in a greenhouse.

Do not try to plant a southern crop in the northern regions with seeds in open ground. At best, you will admire large yellow flowers, and at worst - only lush greenery, and you will not wait for the fruits. Planting melons from seeds in cold regions is possible only through seedlings. Even if the weather is warm, equip shelters to protect plants from death in case of a cold snap.

Crows love treats just as much as humans. Drive away sweet-tooth birds from ripening fruits with a scarecrow, netting, mirror fragments or electronic devices. Basic care consists of the usual procedures for any gardener: watering, fertilizing, pinching the tops of the lashes.

Do not be lazy to master the cultivation of new crops, they will add variety to both your menu and the design of your summer cottage.