Varieties of watermelons grown in the Astrakhan region

Watermelons from Astrakhan are a legendary product. This brand has a long history dating back to the 7th-8th centuries. The taste of these watermelons was always so good that in 1660 Tsar Alexei Mikhailovich even issued an imperial decree on the delivery of striped handsome men to the tsar's table in Moscow. However, the “Astrakhan” variety and the watermelon grown in the Astrakhan region are not identical concepts. Even the striping does not serve as its defining feature, since it is characteristic of other varieties as well: the seedless "king of hearts" famous for the large size of the carolina cross, etc.

Description of the variety

The famous Astrakhan watermelon as a separate variety was bred in 1977 by the efforts of K.E. Dyutin. This is a classic spherical or slightly oblong watermelon. The pulp of ripe fruits is bright red, juicy, aromatic, coarse-grained with a characteristic rather sweet taste. During dry periods, voids may appear in the fruits, which do not have any effect on the palatability.

The peel is smooth with a pattern of alternating dark and light green thorny stripes. This type of watermelon must be plump. Average fruit weight is about 8 - 10 kg. In terms of ripening, it belongs to the medium early - from the moment of seed germination, it ripens for 70 - 85 days. Differs in resistance to most diseases characteristic of melons and gourds, convenient and unpretentious in cultivation. It is characterized by high yields, excellent transportability and shelf life - they can be stored for up to two and a half months.

What is the harm and benefit

Ripe watermelon is a unique dietary product that has practically no contraindications for regular use. In fact, 80% of its fruit consists of water, and the rest of the volume contains vegetable fiber, fructose, a small amount of glucose and sucrose, as well as trace elements.Watermelon is characterized by a pronounced diuretic effect, so its pulp is very useful for those suffering from diseases of the joints, heart and blood vessels. Fructose is absorbed in the human body without the cost of insulin, which means that even patients with insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus can eat a sweet-tasting fruit.

The striped juicy fruits are just a storehouse of such a trace element as magnesium. With chronic deficiency, blood pressure rises. It also promotes the binding of oxalates, which prevents the formation of kidney stones, and plays an important role in the processes of bile secretion and in the deactivation of cholesterol. In addition, magnesium is involved in the normalization of intestinal motility, helps relieve muscle spasms and reduces nervous irritability.

In 100 grams of watermelon pulp, the content of this microelement, which is extremely important for human health, is as much as 224 milligrams. Only almonds can boast of its greater concentration. To satisfy the body's daily need for magnesium, it is enough to enjoy only 150 grams of ripe and tasty fruit.

This representative is rich in melons and potassium. True, its content is lower than in dried apricots, persimmons and bananas, loved by adherents of many diets. Although if we also consider the calorie content, then when drinking watermelon, the body will receive three times less calories than a banana.

However, it should be noted that watermelon is not useful for everyone and not always. It should not be eaten by those suffering from diarrhea and intestinal upset. It is also contraindicated for those prone to edema. Diabetics should also be careful with this delicacy, given its high glycemic index.

In addition, the harm from watermelon can be due to the use of certain chemicals in the cultivation. Most often they are nitrates. Their use contributes to the rapid growth and high weight of the fruit. But at the same time, such substances are stored in the pulp and enter the human body with it, causing either acute poisoning or chronic intoxication due to gradual accumulation.

Video "Watermelons in the middle lane"

Growing features

If until recently the combination of the words "cultivation" and "watermelon" presupposed a hot southern climate, today work on adaptation and acclimatization of its varieties and the emergence of new hybrids make it possible to grow striped fruits even in Western Siberia, albeit only in greenhouses.

In the southern regions of Russia, the Astrakhan variety is grown by planting seeds in open ground. But in the regions of the middle zone and in the suburbs, the seedling method is used. At the same time, 4 - 5 weeks before planting on the site, the seeds are kept for a day in a solution of manganese and zinc to protect future sprouts from diseases. Then they are wrapped with cotton cloth or tissue paper and placed in water, where they are set aside at a temperature of about +28 ° C until sprouts appear.

After that, they are planted in separate containers filled with peat. When the plants get 3 - 4 leaves, you can start planting seedlings. At the same time, a week before planting, the frequency of watering and the temperature are gradually reduced. The main requirements for their cultivation in the regions of the middle lane are air warmed up to +21 - 29 ° С, a sunny place and no weeds.

It should be noted that watermelons are quite sensitive to their predecessors and do not like to grow after pumpkin, melon, cucumber or cabbage. But they relate quite well to planting after peas, potatoes, beans or corn. Seedlings are planted in light-textured soil in holes up to 8 cm deep at a distance of about a meter. As representatives of melons, watermelons do not tolerate acidic soils.

Since they require a lot of heat, the soil between the plants should be covered with a 4 - 5 cm layer of mulch, which increases the temperature of the soil by almost 10 ° C and does not allow it to dry out. Also, during the period of active growth, plants should be fed with potassium-phosphorus mixtures and nitrogen.

The technology of growing watermelons involves weeding, loosening the soil and moderate watering. The remains of vegetation after the weeding made are immediately removed from the site. Being drought tolerant plants, watermelons are at the same time quite responsive to irrigation. During the period of growth of the main stem and leaves, they need increased watering. After the beginning of fruiting, it is cut to speed up the ripening of the fruit.

The main pests that can harm watermelon plantings are spider mites, aphids and wireworms. For the prevention and control of them, the most common means is spraying with an infusion of garlic or ash. Such processing should be stopped one month before the start of the harvest. Plants heavily infested with pests must be removed from the site and burned.

What you need to know

The Astrakhan watermelon begins to ripen not earlier than August and its harvest reaches its peak closer to September.Everything that appears on the shelves before that time, although it may be grown in the Astrakhan region, but early maturing Dutch watermelons, and even often with the use of chemistry. Therefore, the fruit should be carefully examined before purchasing. If a small, slightly rotten area with a dot in the center is found, this is a sure sign that saltpeter was injected with a syringe to accelerate growth.

In order to distinguish a ripe good watermelon from a bad one when choosing, one should focus on a number of characteristic features. The surface of the fruit should not have a matte coating and a glare should be clearly visible on reflection of sunlight. The yellow spot on the watermelon or the so-called "patch" is the place where the fruit comes into contact with the ground during growth. If it is small, then it matured on its own in comfortable conditions. A large patch is a sign of a lack of sunlight and heat, such a fruit will be watery and not sweet enough to taste.

The stem or "tail" of a good watermelon is dried and yellowish. If it has completely dried out, then the fruit has been stored torn off for a rather long period. If the tail is completely removed, then the seller is hiding something and it is better not to take this copy. Also, a ripe watermelon hums when patted, and crackles when squeezed with hands.

Video "Growing varieties of watermelon"

There are many varieties of watermelon, and being able to properly grow a particular variety is not an easy task. This video will help you figure out all the nuances.

Astrakhan watermelon - a variety grown throughout Russia, the main advantages of which are ease of maintenance and high yield. You can also note the long shelf life of the fruit and its good resistance to transportation even over long distances.

All this makes the southern delicacy one of the most beloved among the population of our country. With proper cultivation and care, the Astrakhan watermelon will not only be an excellent decoration for any table, but will also quench your thirst and saturate the body with useful substances.

Most farmers and gardeners choose to grow this particular variety. This is due to the fact that the Astrakhan watermelon is resistant to the development of pathologies inherent in melons and gourds, its fruits have excellent taste and are stored for more than 2 months, while not losing their merits.

Ripe fruit has a round or slightly oblong shape, its crust is smooth and even. The surface color is dark green with light stripes that have spike-like edges. According to experts, the more obvious the difference between dark and light stripes, the brighter the taste of the fruit will be.

The pulp of a ripe watermelon is bright red. It is very sweet, juicy and aromatic. Seeds are usually dark brown or black in color. The main difference between the Astrakhan variety is the presence of a thick crust.

Astrakhan watermelon is considered to be of medium early maturity - the time from seed germination to full maturity is about 80 days. The size of ripe berries ranges from 8 to 10 kg. He is very thermophilic, he needs a sufficient amount of sunlight. Favorable conditions during cultivation will provide the fruit with juiciness, sweet taste, pleasant color and aroma.

During a drought period, voids may appear inside the watermelon, which in no way affects the quality of this melon culture. In this case, when squeezed, a slight crackle will be heard, indicating the ripeness of the watermelon.

Cultivation of the Astrakhan watermelon

Thanks to the adaptation of varieties to different climatic conditions, as well as the breeding of hybrids, it became possible to grow the Astrakhan watermelon in any regions of Russia.

Cultivation of striped berries is carried out in two main ways:

• reckless;
• seedling.

The first option for planting is typical for the southern regions, the second is practiced by farmers in the middle zone and the Moscow region.

With the seedless method, the seeds are sown in open ground, pre-soaking them in potassium permanganate. Dry seeds are immediately sown into the soil. Sprouted ones must be placed in a pocket made of cloth or gauze and filled with warm water. Every day the water should be changed until small sprouts appear. Then you can start sowing.

Seedling method consists in preliminary germination of seeds. To do this, spread the seeds treated with potassium permanganate on a damp cloth or toilet paper and place them in a tray. In this state, the seeds are kept at a temperature of 25 to 30 ° C.

After the sprouts appear, you need to take suitable containers (for example, disposable cups), fill them with humus, sand and turf or ready-made peat soil. The sowing depth should not exceed 4 cm. Then the seeds are covered with foil and placed in a well-lit and warm place. After the first leaves appear, you can plant the seedlings in the ground.

The soil for planting the Astrakhan variety of watermelons should be light and loose. It must be prepared in the fall. This will require humus and other fertilizers suitable for feeding the crop (potash-phosphorus mixtures, nitrogen, etc.).

If pumpkin, melon, cabbage or cucumbers have previously grown on the site, there is a risk that the harvest will not be as rich as expected, and the fruits may change their taste. It is advisable to plant watermelons in the soil in which peas, potatoes, corn and beans were grown.

The depth of the hole for planting seedlings should be no more than 6-8 cm. Watermelons are planted at a distance of 1 meter from each other. In order for the fruits to be large and to be fully formed, these rules must be observed.

Astrakhan watermelon seeds

You can buy seeds of the Astrakhan watermelon in any store in your city, as well as order via the Internet. Due to the great demand for the Astrakhan variety among the inhabitants of our country, seeds are available to everyone who wants to plant this large, sweet berry on their site.

You can buy seeds in advance - in winter or early spring. They can be stored for a long time under appropriate conditions. It is important not to allow moisture to get on the bags with seeds, as well as to avoid their strong overheating.

Before planting dry seeds, they must be soaked in a manganese solution. To do this, you need to pour warm water and add potassium permanganate to it so that a sufficiently bright color is obtained. The seeds can be wrapped in cheesecloth and placed in the prepared solution for 30-40 minutes. Then they are planted in the ground.

Germination of seeds does not require much effort. We place them in a cloth or gauze moistened with water and put them in a specially prepared container. We change the water once a day or as the fabric dries. At this stage, it is important to observe the thermal regime: 30 ° C during the day and not lower than 20 ° C at night. As soon as the first shoots appear, you can start planting.

Today you can buy seedlings of the Astrakhan variety of watermelons in the market or in specialized stores. The main thing is to correctly calculate the timing of seed germination and the time of planting seedlings in open ground. The ideal time for planting is the end of May, when the earth is sufficiently warmed up by the sun's rays and there are no frosts at night. Harvesting takes place in August and September.

Reviews about the Astrakhan watermelon

Due to its resistance to the development of diseases inherent in melons, the Astrakhan watermelon has become one of the most beloved varieties in all regions of Russia. Farmers and gardeners note its unpretentious cultivation, long shelf life and good transportability. This variety does not require special care and additional fertilizing agents and expensive fertilizers. The seeds are inexpensive and sold in any city. Properly grown ripe fruits are in good demand in the market, so many summer residents plant watermelons for sale.

Reviews about the Astrakhan watermelon indicate that most consumers prefer this particular variety.Its main advantage is its juicy, aromatic, sweet and tender pulp. In the hot season, watermelon juice is an excellent thirst quencher and is a dietary product. It is consumed fresh and pickled. There are many recipes using this product.

In addition to excellent taste, buyers note properties useful for the body. In their opinion, the Astrakhan watermelon helps to lower blood pressure, and also helps to get rid of edema. Some argue that watermelons can improve mood and overall health.

Planting, leaving and collecting is not particularly difficult. Even a novice summer resident can do this. Astrakhan watermelon grown with your own hands will become not only an excellent decoration for the table, but also a source of vitamins and useful microelements. This surprisingly large striped berry will please all family members.

The famous Astrakhansky watermelon was bred as a separate variety in 1977. It has a classic spherical or slightly oblong shape, bright red aromatic, very juicy and sweet, coarse-grained pulp. Smooth, thick, striped skin. Average weight of fruits is 8-10 kilograms. In the article we will tell you about the Astrakhansky watermelon, when it ripens, we will give feedback and recommendations on planting, care, cultivation.

Astrakhan watermelon is one of the largest varieties of this plant, which has a special taste, color and size.

Description of the Astrakhansky watermelon variety

The main characteristics of the variety are presented in the table:

Parameters	Description
Ripening period	mid-late
Time from germination to technical maturity	70-85 days
Taste	great
Marketable condition	excellent
Disease resistance	Immunity to anthracnose, fusarium, most diseases characteristic of melons
Sowing month	May
Sowing scheme	90x50
Density	Between rows 1 m, between plants - 50 cm
Sowing depth	4 cm
Cleaning	Aug. Sept
Advantages	Excellent keeping quality, good transportability, unpretentiousness in growing and care
Yield	High-yielding variety. Total yield 120 t / ha

Features of growing a watermelon variety Astrakhansky

In the southern regions of Russia, this variety is grown by seed in the open field. In the regions of the middle zone and the Moscow region, they use mainly the seedling method. 4-5 weeks before planting, the seeds are kept in a solution of manganese and zinc for 24 hours to protect future sprouts from diseases. Then they need to be wrapped with thin paper or cotton cloth and placed in water. There, at a temperature of +28 degrees, they will be left until the sprouts hatch.

Then they are planted in separate containers filled with peat. When the plants have 3-4 leaves, the seedlings can be planted in open ground. At the same time, a week before planting, the temperature and frequency of watering are gradually reduced. The main requirements for growing watermelons in the Moscow region and the middle lane are air warmed up to + 21-29 degrees, no weeds and a sunny place. Read also the article: → "Features of growing watermelons in the Moscow region."

The Astrakhan watermelon became famous precisely because of its size, unlike most varieties, its fruits are very large.

Watermelons are very sensitive to their predecessors. They do not grow well in the place where pumpkin, melon, cucumbers, cabbage were grown earlier. And good - where potatoes, beans, peas, corn grew. The soil for seedlings should be light in texture. Seedlings are placed in holes at a distance of a meter, to a depth of 8 cm. Watermelons, like all other melons, do not like acidic soils.

Since watermelons need a lot of heat, the soil between the plants is covered with a 4-5 centimeter layer of mulch - this increases the temperature of the earth by almost 10 degrees and does not allow it to dry out. During active growth, plants are fed with nitrogen and potassium-phosphorus mixtures.Read also the article: → "Mineral and organic fertilizers for watermelons: the scheme of feeding".

The technology for growing the Astrakhan variety of watermelon provides for weeding, loosening, moderate watering. Plant residues after weeding must be immediately removed from the site. Watermelons are drought tolerant, but they are very good at irrigation. When the main stem and leaves are growing, the plants need to be watered vigorously.

Tip # 1. When fruiting begins, watering is reduced - so the fruits will ripen faster.

According to the type of the Astrakhan watermelon, the breeders bred the Rapid variety, which ripens in 58-60 days and the Foton F1 hybrid, which matures in 65 days. Both of these types of watermelons are high-yielding and very tasty. They have a shelf life of 2-3 weeks, but are well transported. Fusarium resistant.

How to care for the Astrakhan watermelon

Watermelon seedlings are planted in late May - early June. The area for watermelons should be well heated, protected from the wind, and illuminated by the sun. It is advisable to arrange beds for watermelons in the south or southeast side. Good predecessors of watermelons are alfalfa, sweet clover, sainfoin, winter wheat, onions, and annual legumes. Artificial pollination is very effective. It must be done in the morning, at a temperature not higher than + 18-20 degrees.

Tip # 2. To speed up the growth of the lashes, they are pinched in such a way that there are no more than 3-5 leaves above the watermelons. Deformed and weak shoots are completely removed.

One plant should have no more than five ovaries. The first feeding is applied to the irrigation grooves located at a distance of 0.25 meters from the plants after the length of the lashes reaches 35-40 cm.During this period of plant development, liquid chicken manure diluted in a ratio of 1:20 or a solution based on mullein (1:10). The second dressing is applied before the stage of active budding. The third is after the formation of the ovaries. Each top dressing is complemented by abundant watering. Read also the article: → "Rules for caring for watermelons in the open field and in the greenhouse."

In the photo you can roughly imagine what Astrakhan watermelon is in size.

How to grow a watermelon in the suburbs

To extend the life of watermelons, it is better to grow them in the Moscow region through seedlings. The best results are obtained when planting watermelon seedlings at the age of 25-30 days. If you plan to plant seedlings under temporary shelters, then this should be done in the second half of May. If you want to plant seedlings immediately in open ground, which is very risky in the Moscow region, especially if the spring is cold, then this should be done in early June.

Seedlings of watermelons hatch 5-6 days after sowing, and it takes the same amount of time for a sprout to emerge from a seed, we conclude: in order to comply with the optimal timing, a run in time of 35 days is required. This means that seed preparation should begin in early April, if temporary shelters are provided for seedlings. If you plan to grow the crop only in the open field, then postpone the processing and sowing of seeds until April 25. At the same time, do not forget that the Moscow region cannot boast of a warm climate.

But the problem is not hopeless. If you follow some recommendations, you can achieve good results.

1. In the spring, you need to warm up the garden. To make the snow melt faster and the ground begins to thaw, scatter ash over the area in March. And in April, water the beds with very warm water and cover with foil. By May, the soil should warm up so that the plants can develop normally in it.
2. The seedless method may even be preferable, as experienced gardeners have noticed that watermelon seedlings are much more sensitive to lack of light than to lack of heat. At home, it quickly stretches out, and the seeds sown in open ground on May 2, sprout amicably and rapidly, and the plants from them then develop better and faster than from seedlings.
3. Cover the bed with plastic wrap. This will quickly warm up the soil.Watermelon roots require a temperature of about +30 degrees. And by the time the really hot days come, the garden will be completely covered with leaves that will absorb excess solar energy, so overheating will not happen. In addition, covering the beds with foil is a method of weed control. And in the end it will keep the soil moist.
4. Remove the cover from the bushes as early as possible. For plants, not only heat, nutrition, water are important, but also the direct rays of the sun and air. Most likely, only in May and the first week of June will you need a film cover. In watermelons, the foliage is tough and strong, so a short cold snap is unlikely to harm it. The main thing is to keep the roots warm.

What you need to know when choosing a watermelon of the Astrakhansky variety

The Astrakhan watermelon begins to ripen in August, and the harvest reaches its peak closer to September. Those watermelons that appear earlier on the shelves are, most likely, early maturing Dutch hybrids, often grown using chemistry. When examining such watermelons, you can find a slightly rotten area with a dot - this is a symptom of saltpeter being injected with a syringe to accelerate growth.

On the surface of a real Astrakhan watermelon, there should be no matte coating, and a glare should be visible on it when sunlight is reflected. The yellow spot on the fruit is where the watermelon touches the ground. EIf it is small, it means that the watermelon ripened in good conditions on its own. A large spot indicates a lack of sunlight and heat.

This watermelon is watery and not sweet enough. The "tail" of a good watermelon is yellowish and dried. If it has completely dried out, it means that the watermelon has been stored plucked for a long time. If there is no "tail" at all, then it is better not to buy such a watermelon. When tapped, a ripe watermelon hums and crackles when squeezed with hands.

This is how the first ovaries of the Astrakhan watermelon look close-up.

Diseases and pests of the Astrakhan watermelon

The most common watermelon pests are spider mites, wireworms and aphids. The most popular preventive measure is spraying watermelons with infusion of garlic or ash. Processing should be stopped one month before harvest. Plants heavily affected by pests are removed from the site and burned. You can quickly and effectively destroy parasites with special modern insecticides.

Among the diseases affecting watermelons, most often it is bacteriosis and powdery mildew. With the latter disease, the stems and leaves suffer: they turn yellow and die off. If the disease progresses, the fetus suffers. With bacteriosis, brown spots appear on the leaves, which eventually spread to watermelons. In the fight against these diseases, mullein infusion diluted with water in a ratio of 1: 3 or fungicides will help: Bordeaux mixture, Skor, Fundazol, Decis.

Mistakes when growing watermelons

Growing watermelons is a complex process. Even if all the conditions are met, there is no guarantee that the watermelons will grow large and tasty. It would seem that for planting watermelons, gardeners choose the sunniest areas, water them very diligently, weed them. The result is small and sour fruits. Why?

1. Watermelons grow small when grown in black soil. It is rich in nitrogen, which feeds mainly the leaves. And there are not enough minerals for the growth of fruits.
2. Experienced gardeners recommend planting watermelons not with seeds, but with seedlings. In this case, the likelihood of getting larger fruits increases. Care must be taken to ensure that the watermelons are positioned freely and do not interfere with each other's growth.
3. As they ripen, the fruits must be turned over. Otherwise, moisture from the rains will accumulate under them, and they will begin to rot. In addition, they will be eaten by ants. Anthills that appear near watermelons must be destroyed immediately.
4. Make sure that the garden is well fenced - birds may appear on the site that can peck on watermelons.

Unfortunately, not every climate is ideal for growing and propagating this plant.

Answers to questions about growing watermelons

Question number 1. Can different varieties of watermelons be planted together?

There is an authoritative opinion that it is impossible to plant different varieties of pumpkin next to each other - they will be over-pollinated, and you will get something completely different from what you expected.

Question number 2. How to plant watermelon seedlings in the suburbs?

In this region, it is best to plant seedlings in a greenhouse. Not earlier than mid-April. Seedlings are looked after in the same way as cucumber or pumpkin seedlings. If your seedlings will continue to grow in the greenhouse, then it is better to tie the whips vertically. Ovaries in the process of gaining weight will also need to be tied up, having previously packed them in a supporting mesh.

Question number 3. How to plant a watermelon on a pumpkin?

Cucumbers and melons are usually grafted onto the pumpkin. It makes no sense to plant a watermelon, which already has a good, disease-resistant root system. However, I would like to talk about one method of vaccination - by convergence. You need to cut the stem of the watermelon and pumpkin in half and tie them tightly, wrapping them with polyethylene. When they grow together, cut the stem of the watermelon from the bottom, and the stem of the pumpkin from the top.

Question number 4. Why did I have only one watermelon per bush?

In watermelons, female flowers appear en masse on the lateral shoots. Therefore, as soon as three to five true leaves appear, the central shoot must be pinched. In the middle lane and in the Moscow region, it is generally advisable to leave no more than three fruits on the whip so that they have time to ripen. To this end, after setting the fruits, it is necessary to pinch the lateral shoots, and cut off the rest so that food is not wasted on them. Watermelons need to be watered only before fruit sets. Then reduce watering to a minimum or eliminate it altogether if it's very hot.

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Astrakhan watermelons are a legendary variety that is grown throughout Russia. It is appreciated for its unpretentiousness, high yield and excellent taste characteristics. In addition, the berries of the variety are very stable and can be transported over long distances, which was appreciated by many farmers.

Description of the variety

The Astrakhan watermelon variety was bred in 1977 by K.E. Dyutin. These watermelons have an even spherical shape. When ripe, their flesh is bright red and has excellent taste characteristics. In dry years, watermelons of this variety tend to form voids, which in no way affect their taste.

The peel of the Astrakhan watermelon is smooth, with a characteristic pattern of alternating dark and light green stripes with uneven edges. A distinctive feature of this variety is the obligatory thick-growing.

The average weight of these berries can be about 8 kg. According to the ripening period, the Astrakhan watermelon belongs to the group of mid-early, from the moment the sprouts appear to the onset of maturity, it takes from 70 to 85 days.

This variety also has increased resistance to most diseases characteristic of melons, and after harvest, its fruits can be stored for up to 2 months without losing their qualities.

Sowing technology

Until recently, it was believed that a good harvest of watermelons can be obtained only in the southern regions of our country, but this belief is fundamentally wrong. With the advent of new varieties and hybrids, the geography of watermelon cultivation has expanded significantly.

There are two main ways of growing watermelons: seedling and non-seedling. The first is used in the middle zone with late spring and return frosts, and the second in the south.

Astrakhan watermelon: growing (video)

Seedless way

With this method, watermelon seeds are sown directly into the ground. Before sowing, they must be disinfected in a solution of saturated pink potassium permanganate. They are kept in it for about half an hour, and then washed.

You can sow in the ground with dry or sprouted seeds. In the first case, sowing is started immediately after seed treatment. In the second, the treated seeds are placed in a bag made of thin cloth and covered with warm water. The water must be changed daily before sprouts appear. Then you can start sowing.

Seedling method

With the seedling method of growing, the seeds are also pre-etched in a solution of potassium permanganate. To improve germination, germination stimulants, for example, "Epin", can also be added to it. Next, the seeds must be germinated. To do this, they are laid out on a tray, on the bottom of which several layers of toilet paper or cloth are placed and moistened with warm water. A container with soaked seeds is placed in a place with a temperature of about 28-30 ° C. In this case, it is imperative to ensure that they do not dry out.

If all the conditions are met, the seeds will hatch in 5-6 days, and it will be possible to start sowing. For seeding, you can use any plastic cups or cassettes. They are filled with a mixture consisting of equal parts of humus, sand and sod land, or a ready-made peat soil intended for growing seedlings is used.

Seeds are planted to a depth of no more than 3-4 cm. They can be sown either one at a time in a cup or cell, or three at a time. Further, to maintain moisture, it is recommended to cover the crops with a film, which must be removed immediately as soon as shoots begin to appear.

After the end of sowing, the planting containers are placed in the warmest and lightest place, where they contain 3-4 true leaves until the appearance. Caring for them at this stage consists in timely watering.

The most important thing when growing watermelon seedlings is to maintain the correct temperature regime. It is not more than 25 ° in the daytime and not lower than 16 ° at night. If you do not adhere to the required temperatures, the seedlings will stretch out very quickly.

At the time of planting seedlings in the ground, its age should be about a month. Knowing this, it is not difficult to calculate the approximate sowing time, in the middle lane it will be the first half of April, since the land will warm up enough only by mid-May. Also, a week before planting, the seedlings must be hardened. To do this, they take it out for a day on a balcony or veranda.

Landing in the ground

Light, loose soils are best for planting watermelons. Also, this culture does not like to grow after cucumbers or pumpkins, but it treats peas and beans well. It is advisable to prepare areas for planting watermelons in the fall. For this, humus is introduced in the fall for digging.

Further, holes are made in the ground at a distance of 1 meter from each other. Watermelons love space and if they are too tightly planted, they will not be able to grow large fruits. Place 2 or 3 plants in each well. Planting watermelon seedlings is carried out together with a lump of earth from the container, the roots of young plants are very sensitive, so you need to act very carefully. Watermelon bushes are buried in the soil to the level of cotyledon leaves.

Care rules

Caring for watermelons consists in regular watering, loosening, weeding. This culture is very responsive to watering and feeding. But at the same time, it is imperative to take into account the fact that all dressings are carried out at the beginning of the growing season. The first time they are carried out after young plants have begun to release whips. To do this, you can use mullein infusion and superphosphate. The second - during the formation of ovaries, while using a group of potassium-phosphorus fertilizers.

Watering watermelons should be infrequent, but plentiful. These plants have a very long taproot that absorbs moisture very well even from great depths. By the time the fruits ripen, watering is stopped in order to speed up their pouring.

Pests and diseases

Watermelons, like any other crop, can infect pests and diseases. The most common pests on melons are aphids and spider mites. Of the popular ways to combat them, it is worth noting spraying with an infusion of garlic or an ash solution, but these measures are most likely suitable for prevention. For effective and quick destruction of parasites, it is best to use special modern insecticides that quickly and without consequences cope with the pest population.

Of the diseases, the culture of watermelon is most often affected by powdery mildew and bacteriosis. With powdery mildew, leaves and stems suffer, which first turn yellow and then die off. With a strong progression of the disease, even the fruits themselves suffer. To combat powdery mildew, an infusion of mullein is used, which is diluted in a 1: 3 ratio or special fungicidal preparations.

With bacteriosis, brown spots appear on the leaves of watermelons, which, with the further development of the disease, spread to the fruits. To combat this disease, Bordeaux liquid or copper-based fungicides are used.

Harvesting

The ripening peak of the Astrakhan watermelon is in August and September. They are collected as they ripen. The fruit from each bush will have to be removed in several terms. For harvesting, it is best to use a pruner or knife, with which the stem of the plant is neatly cut off. If you just tear it off, then there is a very high probability of damage to the fruit, after which they will quickly rot.

A sign of the ripeness of watermelons is a dried stalk and antennae. The rind of such berries looks even and shiny, and the side on which the watermelon was lying on the ground becomes yellow. Fruit is best harvested in dry and clear weather.

How to plant a watermelon (video)

Growing watermelons of the Astrakhan variety does not present any particular difficulties, even a novice gardener can cope with this. And these striped berries grown by their own hands will become a real delicacy for all family members.

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