If we talk about the middle lane, the watermelons here (as well as some other crops - for example, melon) are preferable to grow through seedlings. In fact, there is nothing difficult in this process, the main thing is to know when to plant watermelons for seedlings and how to do it correctly. Today we will look at two ways at once, as well as provide detailed step-by-step instructions. But let's start with the preparatory activities.

In most cases, watermelons are planted in open soil at the age of 30 days. And in view of the fact that the seeds of this crop germinate for quite a long time, sowing should be carried out in the middle or end of April.

What is required in the work?

For the proper sowing of watermelon seeds and the cultivation of high-quality seedlings, be sure to prepare:

  • seed material;
  • food wrap;
  • soil mixture;
  • plastic containers with a diameter of 10 cm (peat pots will be used in the second method);
  • gauze;
  • salt;
  • potassium permanganate;
  • a glass of water.

Note! The sowing technologies described below are great not only for watermelon, but also for melon.

How to pick seeds

Due to the fact that watermelon is not a typical culture for the middle band, it is necessary to choose the seeds with special care.

Remember that for such conditions are suitable only early-maturing varieties, the vegetation period of which ranges from 70-90 days.

And if we consider that the seeds are sown on seedlings rather late (in the middle or end of April, as we have already found out), then it is quite obvious that watermelons should ripen before the cold weather comes. In addition, you can purchase seeds of hybrids, more adapted to adverse climatic conditions.

When choosing seeds, give preference to those that were harvested 2 or 3 years ago. The fact is that cultures with male flowers will grow from fresher seeds, while fruits are formed from female ones.

First you need to determine which of the seeds are suitable for sowing in seedlings. To do this, prepare a solution of salt (4-5 g per 100 ml of water) and immerse the seed there for a few minutes.

Seeds that have settled as a result of the procedure on the bottom, rinse thoroughly with water and dry. For washing it is convenient to use a small gauze bag and a glass of clean water.

To stimulate the appearance of female flowers, it is recommended to warm the seed at a temperature of about + 60 ° C for 2-3 hours. After that, pickle the seeds in a 1% potassium permanganate solution for approximately half an hour.

Now you can proceed to the last stage of preparation - soak the seed before pecking for the purpose of quicker sprouting. To do this, wrap the seeds in a wet cloth and place in a warm place (air temperature should be within + 25-30 ° C). As a rule, germination takes no more than 5-6 days.

Note! Throughout this time, regularly rinse the seeds with running water, otherwise they may sour. And when naklevyvanie begins, you can spend more hardening.

How to harden germinated seeds? Put them in the refrigerator for 12 hours, after which - for the same time - in a warm place. The cycle must be repeated 2 or 3 times. After the length of the spine reaches 1-1.5 cm, you can proceed directly to sowing in one of two ways described below.

Marigolds, Chernobrivtsy, lights - as people call it tagetes. Culture is characterized by rapid growth and unpretentiousness in the care, and therefore enjoys considerable popularity. Read more about when to sow marigolds on seedlings and how to do it correctly.

Method one. Traditional watermelon seedling cultivation

The process consists of several simple steps, consider the features of each of them in more detail.

First, prepare the soil mixture for sowing. It is important that it be prepared correctly! For melon crops, to which watermelon belongs, the following recipe is preferable: 1 part sod soil and 3 parts humus (components need to be well mixed). Although there is another option for the preparation of the substrate - 0.5 parts of humus, 1 part of sawdust and 3 parts of lowland peat.

Also do not forget about the suitable containers. It is advisable to use separate pots for this purpose - the roots of the plants will not be damaged during a dive or transplant into the ground. The optimal diameter of the pots is about 10 cm. In each, 1-2 plants will be grown.

Now you can start sowing pre-prepared seeds. Fill the suitable pots with half the soil, then place the seeds (1-2 in each) to a depth of about 4-5 cm. Later, as you grow, you will pour in a fresh substrate.

Note! Do not forget to pre-moisten the soil before sowing (it is convenient to do it with a spray gun). Also for sowing seeds in a moist substrate you need to make holes using a pencil or a stick.

Full watermelon seedlings will appear in about 30-40 days. To help the seeds germinate, cover the containers with crops with cling film and place in a warm place (the air temperature should be approximately + 23-25 ​​° C).

Video - How to sow watermelons on seedlings

The second way. Use of peat pots

This method is good because such pots, as well as, already in themselves contain the necessary plant nutrients. With regard to the timing of sowing and preparation of seed, they are in this case the same as in the previous method.

For the convenience of users, the instructions for sowing watermelon seeds are given in tabular form.

Table. Sowing watermelon seeds for seedlings in peat pots.

Steps PhotoAction description



First, prepare the soil mixture according to one of the recipes described above. Mix all ingredients thoroughly.



Perform the preparation and germination of watermelon seeds (here, too, all without changes). When the spine is long enough, that is, it will grow up to 1-1.5 cm, proceed directly to sowing.



Take the peat pots of the above diameter, fill them with a pre-prepared substrate of about 3-4. Then place the germinated seeds in the pots.



Sprinkle the crops with a layer of soil mixture about 2-3 cm thick. Condense lightly, otherwise the seeds may become bare during watering.



Carefully water the crops. We advise you to put the peat pots in plastic containers of suitable size - so the walls will not dry too quickly, permanently remaining wet.

Aftercare for seedlings

Due to the fact that sowing is done in the middle of spring, additional lighting of plants is not required in this case. But the crops still need to be placed in the brightest place in your home. The ideal option is the window sill of the south window. It will be even better if you transfer the shoots to the glazed loggia (but in this case you need to carefully monitor the temperature regime).

What should be the temperature when growing seedlings?  At first - even before the formation of the first shoots - the temperature should be within + 25-27 ° С. Later, when the seedlings appear, it should be somewhere between + 18-20 ° С (at night) and + 20-25 ° С (at day time). With regard to irrigation of crops, it is recommended to use only warm water.

10 days after the first shoots appear, fertilizing should be made in the form of a mineral seedling fertilizer solution (such as "Weaving", "Mortar", others). After the same time, feeding is repeated.

Note! Watering and fertilizing should be done exclusively at the root! If the moisture on the leaves still got, immediately wipe everything using a paper napkin. When at least 4 of these sheets appear, the seedlings - if weather conditions permit - can be transplanted to the site.

It should also be noted that when growing seedlings of a given culture, the pots should be placed in such a way that the leaves of neighboring plants do not touch each other.

Features of transplanting in open soil

First you need to decide on the timing of planting seedlings in the ground. For watermelons, this is the second decade of June, that is, a time when the threat of frost has passed completely. By the way, if you want to plant seedlings earlier, after about 3 weeks after germination, you can use shelters.

First of all, check if the ground is warm enough. For transplanting watermelon seedlings, the optimum temperature is considered to be in the range of + 15-18 ° C. If you need to warm up the bed faster, you can cover it with black plastic wrap.

Note! Watermelon is characterized by a deep enough root system, and therefore the area selected for planting seedlings, it is necessary to dig a shovel into a bayonet. Also, add compost or humus (10 liters), wood ash (200 g) and complex mineral fertilizer (about 40-50 g) per square meter. Then re-dig.

Transplanting seedlings in peat pots

Prepare the wells - about 2 per square meter. Gently remove the top of the peat pot, then place the plant in the hole.

Watermelon - melon culture, which reluctantly grows in the conditions of northern and middle latitudes. Therefore, you need to buy seeds zoned varieties. But they will have to provide suitable conditions: loose semi-dry soil, a lot of sun and heat.

Sowing watermelons for seedlings

Planting dates

Watermelons are grown not only by residents of the south, but also by the middle belt, Siberia and the Far East. For regions with a cool and short summer without seedlings, this melon crop cannot be grown. The term of sowing seeds depends on the selected variety, as well as on when in a particular region the threat of return frost is bypassed.

Watermelon seedlings are planted in a permanent place at the age of 30-35 days. Knowing the date of the planned landing, it is easy to calculate when you can begin to sow. For example, if the morning frosts in your region are until mid-May, then you need to sow a month earlier plus a week (for soaking and planting), we get - the beginning of April.

Watermelon seedlings 30 days, can be planted in the ground

When to sow, if watermelons will grow in the greenhouse?

Landing in a greenhouse or an unheated greenhouse, and not in the open ground have almost no effect on the above calculations. If you plan to plant a shelter, you can sow a week earlier, but after planting the seedlings will have to follow the weather and weather forecasts. The fact is that watermelons do not grow and do not develop at temperatures of +16 C and below. And if a lot of cloudy days fall out, when the sun does not warm up the greenhouse, it is impossible to air it, then the seedlings can get sick and die. In addition, during freezing (at night and in the morning), under the film or agryl, the temperature is not much higher than outside. Therefore, seedlings will have to additionally cover more inside the greenhouse or greenhouse.

But in the summer, watermelons feel better under non-permeable covering materials, because they are protected from prolonged rains and cold winds. On sunny days, the shelter is much warmer, the fruits grow larger and sweeter than in open ground.

Optimum conditions for watermelons: temperature - + 25 ... +30 ⁰C, humidity - 50–60%. Watermelon is a light-loving culture, development stops in conditions of cloudy weather.

The choice of capacity for seedlings

Watermelons do not tolerate picks, it is very difficult to take root in a new place if their roots are disturbed.  Therefore, each seed is sown in an individual pot or cup, in which the watermelon will grow before planting. Cup size - 10 cm deep and the same in diameter. Moreover, the capacity should be such that the watermelon from it can be removed along with a clod of earth without exposing the roots. Ideal pots made of peat or compressed paper, seedlings are planted directly into them without removing.

The roots of watermelons during transplantation is better not to disturb. Ideal container for growing seedlings - peat or paper cups

You can not grow watermelons in peat tablets. This is compressed peat, in which there are no nutrients. Peat tablets are designed for germinating seeds of those crops that require picking.

What soil do watermelons need?

Watermelon loves loose, moderately dry and neutral soil. Therefore, on sandy and sandy soils, the culture develops faster and gives rich yields. The soil for seedlings need to be prepared in accordance with these preferences. You can use the finished soil for cucumbers or make a mixture of equal parts: river sand, humus, sod land. Before sowing, the ground must be sprinkled with boiling water or heated for 10 minutes in the microwave. A sign of successful disinfection - the earth should float.

Video: Biologist's advice on the use of packaging for seedlings and the preparation of soil mixture

Seed preparation

Often the store seeds are already treated with fertilizers and fungicides for diseases. In this case, soaking and germination are not needed. Unprocessed seeds germinate better to be sure of their germination. Then after sowing a germ will appear in each cup. To do this, the watermelon seeds are first soaked in a growth stimulator. The most common - Epin Extra (4 drops per 1 liter of water). It not only contributes to the speedy awakening of the plant embryo, but also softens the seed shell.

Watermelon seeds have a very dense and hard shell, so they are soaked in a growth stimulator before planting.

Watermelon seeds are kept in Épin’s solution for 12 hours and then laid out between two wadded wet discs. Put such a design in a disposable plastic container with a lid or saucer, which is wrapped in a plastic bag. For the rapid emergence of seedlings need a temperature in the range + 25 ... +30 ⁰C. After 4-5 days, the seeds should germinate, you can begin to sow.

If it is necessary to sow unsprouted watermelon seeds, then to soften their shells, the soil, when planted with the seed, is watered with hot water (+ 50 ... +60 C).

Stages of sowing watermelon seeds for seedlings


Video: How to sow watermelon seeds plus the idea of ​​a greenhouse on the balcony

Care for watermelon seedlings at home

Temperature and lighting

As soon as shoots appear, they are transferred for 3-5 days in a sunny and cool place (+ 18 ... +20 C). The temperature in the following days and before disembarking is + 20 ... +25 ⁰C. Even on the south window, watermelons can be drawn out, because the weather does not always make us happy on sunny days. Therefore, you need to be ready to highlight the seedlings. In addition, the pots every day turn to the glass in another side.

On cloudy days, watermelons stretch to the glass, need lighting

Watering

In addition to heat and light, watermelons need moisture. Watermelons are watered rarely, but plentifully, soaking the whole lump of earth, but not falling on the leaves. The signal for irrigation is drying the topsoil to a depth of 1–1.5 cm. Watermelons like dry air, so they do not need to be sprayed.

Watermelon root is long and adapted to extract water from the lower layers of the soil.

Water must be separated and warm. It is better to keep it in the same place where watermelons grow, so that there is no temperature difference during watering. The potted earth is always friable.

Feeding

For the entire transplanting period, only 1–2 supplements give watermelons. The first week after germination is needed, if the plants receive enough light and heat, but grow poorly, these leaves grow slowly, they are small. So, the soil taken for planting turned out to be poor, there are few nutrients in it. The second feeding is done a week before disembarking to a permanent place, so that the seedlings gain strength and ease the stress.

Feed watermelon seedlings - table

Fertilizers are applied after watering, on wet ground. Pour about 1-2 tablespoon into each pot.

Photo: Fertilizers for seedlings dressing

Complex fertilizer Fertik Lux (powder) Agricola Forward - concentrate for feeding seedlings
   Uniflor Growth - fertilizing for the rapid development of green mass

Hardening

If watermelons continue to grow in the open field, then hardening is necessary. Seedlings taken out on the balcony or open the window. You can not immediately put the young watermelon under direct sunlight and wind. For the first "walk" choose a shaded and protected from the wind place. Gradually, the intensity and time of sunbathing increase from 15 minutes to a whole day.

Outdoors, the soil in the pots dries out faster, which means that it will be necessary to check its condition and water more often.

Seedling problems and solutions - table

Problem Cause Decision
Seeds can not throw off the shell The seeds are finely sown or the seed is weak, underdeveloped Several times a day, moisten the shell with water, the watermelon will throw it off. You can not pull your hands dry shell, shoot may die.
Uneven shoots Seeds sown at different depths, covered with heavy soil on top, a crust was formed. To use watermelon seedlings loose soil, sow the seeds at the same depth.
Shoots perished, stalks near the ground darkened Seedlings sick with a black leg. Causes: excessive watering, contaminated land, cold windowsill.
  • Stop watering until the topsoil dries.
  • If watermelons are grown in one common box, then remove the diseased seedlings with a piece of earth, the remaining pour potassium permanganate.
  • Follow the rules of watering watermelons!
Not enough light or nutrients
  • Pour or spray a solution of the drug Athlete (1.5 ml per 1 liter of water). Stems will become thicker, the leaves are larger, the root will develop better.
  • On cloudy days, illuminate the seedlings with lamps.
  • Every day, turn the seedlings toward the sun in a different direction.
  • Remove from the window sills other plants and objects that can shade the seedlings.
Pests have appeared Aphids or spider mites can turn into watermelons from indoor plants or from the ground in which they hibernate.
  • Do not keep in one window, but rather in the same room with seedlings indoor flowers.
  • Steam the soil before planting.
  • Spray biologics: Fitoverm (2 ml per 1 liter of water) or Agravertin (5 ml per 0.5 liter of water). Repeat after 7-10 days.
The leaves turn yellow Not enough power Feed Agricola, Furtica Lux or Uniflora.
Leaves are colorless (white) spots Sunburn often gets seedlings, which for the first time carried out of the room under the bright sun Hardening begins on a cloudy day or pritenyat watermelons, for example, paper. On the windowsill the leaves of the seedlings should not touch the glass.
White mold on the soil surface Mold spores are in the air of any room. It develops on waterlogged soil with a lack of ultraviolet rays. Burst, sprinkle the ground with crushed coal, wood ash, sprinkle with a weak solution of brilliant green (1 drop per 1 l of water).

When to plant watermelons on a permanent place?

The main rule of the gardener is to plant seedlings in the evening or on a cloudy day.  3-5 hours before this watermelon should be well watered. Of course, there should be no frost in the morning. A temperature that is favorable for watermelons is required: during the day + 20 ... +30 ⁰C, at night no less than + 16 ... +18 ⁰C. The first 2-3 days seedlings pritenuyut.

Watermelon and melon are associated with the taste of summer, and every gardener dreams of growing delicious fruits on his land. Watermelon has long been used as a healing diuretic medicine to clean the body. Gourds are thermophilic and grow in a warm climate, so for their cultivation and planting watermelons in the open field you need to have special knowledge.

Be sure to know in advance whether it is possible to plant melons if a cucumber, pepper, pumpkin or zucchini grows nearby.

Gourds belong to the pumpkin family. Cultures are very useful and contain a huge amount of vitamins. If you learn how to grow these plants, you can get a high yield of delicious fruits.

Melon is quite suitable for the "neighborhood" with a watermelon. Plants tend to grow. It is not recommended to plant them together too close..

Gourds are prone to infection with various similar diseases. Therefore, if you plant near you need to understand the risks of the spread of diseases from one culture to another.

Proper seed sowing for seedlings at home

Seeds are planted on seedlings approximately 60 days before landing in open ground. So, in mid-March, the seeds must be purchased. You can buy them in any specialty store or ask those who have already managed to grow a quality crop of watermelons and melons.

From the seeds of last year's watermelon it is impossible to get a good harvest. The best seeds to plant– 5 years ago. It is important to understand that only early-maturing varieties suitable for our climate are ripening up to 70-85 days. It is better to give preference to hybrid varieties that are more adapted to adverse conditions.

When preparing seeds, make sure that they are not empty. For this, seeds are immersed in a container of water all that surfaced, you can safely throw. Watermelon seeds germinate more slowly than melon seeds. Therefore, watermelon seeds are recommended to be scalded with boiling water, for better germination and then sow.

Preparing for planting and soaking

  1. Soak. Every single type of seed needs to be wrapped and soaked in a cloth and maintain in a moist environment before germination. You can soak in special napkins.
  2. If the seeds have already hatch, but there is no way to plant them in a timely manner, you can leave the seeds in the refrigerator.

Sprouted at home, the seeds are planted in separate small pots with a diameter of 10 cm, preferably peat. The soil should be a mixture of: humus, sod land 3: 1, add peat, sawdust, humus 3: 1: 0.5.

Planted in each pot 2 seeds each  to the depth 5 cm. To moisten the earth with a spray. Cover the container with cling film and place in a warm place +25 degrees.

To grow watermelon seedlings will take 40-45 days, and for a melon 30 days.


  • when the seeds germinate, transfer them to sunlight at a temperature +22 degrees. Remove the film;
  • the best place for seedlings is the window sill on the south side of the house;
  • a week after sowing, feed the seedlings with mineral fertilizers, and a week later - with mullein infusion with superphosphate.

Planting in open ground

When planting in open ground need to focus on the climatic conditions, the selected cultivar, readiness of seedlings.

Soil selection

Before planting melons in open ground, you need to choose a place for planting. Exotic plants love sunny places where there is no shade and wind.


Melons and watermelons need rich soils, as well as those that withstand moisture well. The ideal option is sandy and sandy sand with a pH of 6-7 units.

Preparation of the site produced in the fall. When digging make 4-5kg of manure per square meter, superphosphate 40g., Potassium salt 30 gr. and ammonium sulfate.

Watermelon seedling preparation

When the seedlings appear 5-7 leavesShe is ready to transplant in open ground. Best time - the end of May. However, you need to focus on weather conditions so that at night the temperature of the air will be +15 degrees.

A week before planting in open ground, seedlings need to be hardened to a daytime temperature of + 16 + 20 degrees.


The scheme of landing in an open ground - depth and distance

For planting in open ground, you must adhere to the following rules:

  1. In the garden should make holes in the distance 0.5-0.7 meters apart  according to a checkerboard pattern. Between rows leave gaps of 70cm.
  2. Seedlings are placed in the wells so that the surface remains only a few top leaves. The soil should be pushed in and sprinkled around with sand to protect the plant from rot.
  3. Crop after planting should be watered with summer or slightly warmed water.
  4. To protect a young plant from the scorching sun, you need to close the shoots for 2-3 days with moistened plastic or paper caps.

After 10-14 days after planting, you need to feed the crop with a solution of ammonium nitrate 20g per bucket of 2 liters for each bush. In the period of appearance of the buds need to feed melon infusion of mullein.


Features of growing melons

To ensure free access of oxygen to the roots, the soil must be constantly loosen to a depth of 10 cm. With the development of side loops culture spud. In order for the plant not to spend all the forces on the set of mass in the period of growth, you need to pinch the main stem. For the full development of melon three shoots are enough.

When the fruit ovaries appear, 2-6 of the strongest and largest specimens are left on the bush. To reduce the load on the whip the fruit is recommended to be tied into grids and hang on a pedestal. Fruits are placed on foil linings to prevent rotting.


If watermelons will be further used for storage and transportation, it is better to take the berry not fully ripe.

The advantages of landing in open ground:

  • in warm weather can be achieved maximum ripeness  fruits;
  • daily watering culture is not required;
  • you can increase the yield while respecting the basic rules for the selection of soil and planting seeds for seedlings.

Grow watermelons and melons in the dacha is quite real. Some even grow them in bags or greenhouses. If you follow all the recommendations, by the end of the summer you can enjoy the sweet, sugar fruits. The main advantage of growing melons in your garden is the absence of chemicals.

Foreword

With the onset of the first warm days, many gardeners are interested in one of the most important questions - when to plant watermelon on grown seedlings in order to get the long-awaited harvest as quickly as possible and with minimal losses? We advise you to focus on the landing region, weather conditions and, of course, taste preferences.

To get a quality crop of melon crops, use a seedling method of growing. It allows you to get a seedling formed at the time of transplantation into the open ground and minimize the probability of yield loss, as often happens with direct sowing of seeds into the soil. The optimal time when you can start sowing watermelons is mid-April, ranging from 10 to 15 numbers. In the southern regions, seedlings grow quietly without greenhouses. But in the Urals and in Siberia, it is better to build greenhouses in open sunny areas, taking care of shelter. Early ripening varieties can be sown in early May.

Watermelon seedlings

For sprouting seedlings, use special peat pots. When the watermelon seeds are full, fill the pots halfway with the soil and slightly deepen them.

Seedlings begin to gradually stretch. As you grow, pour the right amount of land into the peat pot. We begin to plant seedlings in the open ground from May 18, when the probability of frost will be completely excluded. We deepen the seedlings into the ground along with peat-digging pots, as the watermelon does not like too much anxiety and transplantation. After several waterings, the peat pots will completely dissolve in the soil. The use of seedlings is ideal for regions with a small number of sunny summer days and warm weather, poor fruit ovary and the presence of a large amount of precipitation in June.

When choosing the option of sowing seeds immediately into the soil, this manipulation is carried out in May, focusing on planting early ripening varieties. Some of the seeds you can plant in open ground, and the rest - in the greenhouse. Those who adhere to planting vegetables and fruits strictly according to the lunar calendar should exclude the planting of watermelons three days before and after the new moon.

The main rule when buying seeds - they must fully fit the climatic and environmental conditions of your region. After all, watermelon is a rather capricious melon culture. And the first thing you need to focus on is the ripening period. When sowing early varieties and hybrids under film or in a greenhouse, the first harvest of watermelons can be expected from July 15, and the last in the middle of August. About a month later, fully ripened fruits give mid-season varieties, and then later ones, which continue to delight with their juicy gifts until November and the onset of the first frost.

Growing watermelon on the plot

In regions with a cool climate, frequent precipitations and short summers, plant early-maturing varieties, and in the southern parts and regions with warm weather, prefer middle-ripening and late-ripening specimens, they will be able to fully display all taste and quality properties. Also pay attention to the resistance of the variety to drought, temperature extremes, diseases, transportation, demanding care. There are watermelons and varieties, highlighting them in 10 groups, assigned to a specific geolocation:

  • russian;
  • transcaucasian;
  • asia Minor;
  • central Asian;
  • east Asian;
  • far East;
  • west European;
  • indian
  • afghan;
  • american

The main varieties of watermelons grown on the territory of Russia belong to the Russian, Transcaucasian and Central Asian groups. Terms of ripening, planting and quality indicators will also depend on the choice of imported varieties, hybrids or domestic options. Giving preference to imported varieties, you will receive the ripening fruits of large size, high quality and presentation, as well as resistance to diseases. If imported varieties and hybrids are more focused on external attractiveness, then domestic varieties have a sweet taste, resistance to drought and frost. Local domestic varieties are simple in the agrotechnology of cultivation and ideally adapted to the region where they were bred.

If we talk about growing watermelons in central Russia, only the early ripe varieties will do. It is not necessary to choose large specimens, there is a high probability that under adverse conditions and early autumn they will not have time to reveal all their qualities. When choosing a variety, it is important to pay attention to ripening periods in order to plant seedlings in time.

Variety watermelon Spark

Matures well in middle lane conditions The light. The full period of its growing season can vary from 60 to 80 days. Externally, the fruit has the correct shape of the ball, and its average weight is about 2.5 kg. The flesh is sweet, juicy, has a bright scarlet color, the skin is thin, dark green. The yield of the variety is quite high, which can be said about disease resistance. The light  not demanding of heat and the sun, so it grows well in the conditions of Siberia and the Urals. The seeds are sown in soil from April 20 to the first of May, and seedlings from May 25 to early June.

Crimson Sweet  - Another popular early-ripening variety with a maturity of 60-70 days. The average weight of the fetus is about 3 kg, although there are instances of much larger size. The shape of the fruit is rounded, the peel is shiny, green in color with light stripes located around the perimeter. Watermelon has a juicy taste, bright red color. Planting dates are similar as for variety. The light.  But derived from Crimson Sweet  hybrids can be planted later, as they have even earlier ripening periods.

The watermelon variety is famous for its special sweet taste. Sugar Baby  (Sugar Babe). Vegetation period is standard for early ripening variants - 70-80 days. By the look Sugar Baby  It is a round fruit, with an average weight of up to 4 kg, dark green color, without additional strips and inclusions on the skin. Perfect for.

Hybrid variety LadyF1  also very common in the middle lane. It is distinguished from other representatives of early ripening varieties by super early maturity periods of 65-68 days. In this case, the fruits have time to fully form and reach 10-12, and sometimes 16 kg. However, to achieve these indicators, it is necessary to make a lot of effort, providing the plant with regular and abundant dressings at an early stage of maturation.

If for the middle zone of Russia only early-maturing varieties are suitable for cultivation, then for the southern regions everything is different. It is here that it is advisable to grow mid-season and late varieties. They mature longer and are ideal for regions of the country with long summer and late frosts. In addition, such fruits are much sweeter, the density of the shell is thick-cornered, which allows to increase the shelf life of watermelons and ensure good transportability. It is representatives of the mid-season and late ripening that are best suited for.

Variety of watermelons Charleston Gray

Charleston Gray  - Mid-season watermelon variety with a full growing season of up to 100 days. In appearance, the fruit has an oval shape and a characteristic dense skin with light green divorces. Despite the impressive size, about 12 kg, the pulp of a watermelon has a ripe, juicy pulp. Long shelf life and resistance to transportation are also pleasantly pleasing. Given the long gestation period, the landing Charleston Gray  it is better to spend already in the beginning of May.

Sort   Astrakhan  It was bred almost forty years ago and continues to be popular today, despite the constant replenishment of new foreign varieties and hybrids. The term ripening watermelon - 75-85 days. It is called the classic representative of melon crops. It has a rounded, sometimes slightly oblong shape, with pronounced light stripes on the skin and juicy, scarlet flesh inside. In the cultivation of agricultural variety Astrakhan  unpretentious, resistant to disease, tolerates transportation and is stored for a long time. Start planting watermelons on seedlings can be from mid-May.

Chill  - A variety of medium late watermelon with a growing season of 85 to 95 days. The shape of the fetus ranges from regular spherical to oval, dark skin with light stripes. The color of the pulp is less pronounced than in other varieties, it has a pink-red hue, but this does not affect the sweet taste of watermelon. The average weight is about 5 kg, with good agricultural technology it can grow up to and over 20 kg. If you have small areas for planting, then keep in mind that this variety grows with large lashes about 5 m long. Fruits are stored very well, having collected them in November, you are guaranteed to be able to enjoy a sweet watermelon on New Year's Eve. What can not be said about the sustainability of the variety   Chill  to diseases, here he has average indicators. Landing dates are similar to the previous ones. Chill ripens throughout the summer, but to begin to harvest the first harvest will be possible only in early September.

For those regions where warm summer weather can be maintained throughout the autumn, the late variety is perfect for growing. Shrub 334  with a full maturity of 98 to 110 days. Growing this option is especially convenient in small summer cottages, since the bush itself is compact, it consists of 3-5 shoots about 0.8 m long, each of which produces only one fruit with an average weight of 8 kg. Like all late ripening varieties, Shrub 334  has a dense rind, and also juicy, granular pulp. Another advantages are good transportability and shelf life, resistance to diseases, the ability to eat fresh watermelon and take it for winter conservation. The seeds of this variety are also very dense, so be sure to soak them in water before germinating. Landing Bush 334  best done in early or mid june.

Gift of the Sun and the Moon - shining fruits

Among the wide variety of shapes and sizes of watermelons there are also instances with non-standard colors, both outside and inside. One of these representatives can be called a variety Sun Gift. It differs in golden-yellow color of the peel with a smooth surface, which is why it resembles a melon. It is gradually gaining popularity in the market. Inside, the fruit has a rich bright red flesh with a sweet taste. Sun Gift  refers to the early ripening varieties with a growing season of 65-75 days. Watermelon grows small - up to 4 kg.

A relatively recent novelty on the market has become a variety. Lunar. Externally, it resembles a classic watermelon with a smooth light green skin and light stripes, and when cut, it surprises with its yellow color of flesh. Taste Lunaralso significantly different, but juiciness and tenderness remain. The commercial quality of the fruit is high, and the average weight is about 3.5 kg. Like Sun Gift, Lunar  refers to early ripening varieties with a full maturity of 65-75 days.

Good day to all readers!

What is the largest berry? Watermelon. Previously, it was grown only in warm, southern regions. Now, when the selection has stepped far forward, an amateur gardener can gather the largest berry in his plot in the Moscow region, and in the Urals, and in Siberia. To do this, you just need to choose the right seeds, grow seedlings, transfer the young shoots to the ridge at the right time and harvest in a timely manner.

You need to start with a selection of seeds.

Select the right seeds

When selecting seeds, it is necessary to take into account the region in which the watermelon plant will grow. In regions where summer is short, sunny days are a little better to sow hybrid seeds. Their advantages are increased resistance to diseases, precocity, the ability to grow a decent crop in a short summer and lack of solar heat.

In Moscow, in the conditions of the Urals or Siberia, it is better to grow early hybrids. The fruits are tied to them in the middle of summer. Thin-crusty watermelons do not grow large, not heavier than 3 kg, but just as juicy and sweet, almost like southern ones.

In March and April, the seeds of early ripe watermelons are planted. Transplanted seedlings into the ground when the shoots become strong and sufficiently hardened. It is necessary to choose zoned varieties for planting in your region.

The first berries on the plant ripen in 80 days after germination. Fruits grow to 5 kg, spherical, brilliant, bright color. The flesh of the fruit is sweet, fragrant. Requires serious care.

Skorik

Ripe fruits can be collected within two months after plant emergence. Long scourge bush require mandatory formation of pinching shoots. Fruits grow medium-sized, up to 2 kg, but very sweet and long stored.

The light

Ripe fruits can be collected on the 75-85 day. Fruit weight reaches 1.5 kg. Watermelons of this variety have an original taste; the color of the fruit is dark green, almost black. The advantages of Spark include increased resistance to fungal diseases and low temperatures.

Of the lesser-known varieties in these latitudes can be grown such watermelons as Sverkhranny Dyutina (SRD), Stetson, Charleston, Moscow Region, Sugar Baby (Sugar Kid).

For the Urals and Siberia:

Very early variety. The harvest is ready for harvesting on a 70-80 day from the day of emergence of shoots. Scourge plants grow to 2.5 m. Watermelons are spherical, striped. Under a thin crust hidden juicy, red flesh with rare and small seeds of dark color. Can be grown under cover and in the open field. The variety can be grown through seedlings, and when the soil is warmed above 14 degrees, sow the seeds directly into the soil.

Shuga baby

Hybrid, giving high yields under adverse conditions and lack of heat. Fruits of the correct spherical shape, dark green, weight reaches 10-13 kg. The flesh is bright red, contains a lot of sugars and a small amount of dark seeds. Fruits ripen in August and September.

Ultra early

Another very early variety. Watermelons ripen on the 80th day. Like all watermelon plants likes heat and sunlight, but how few are resistant to temperature extremes. Round, striped fruits with a thin crust and sweet pulp. Seeds are dark, small, few.

When to plant watermelon seedlings on the lunar calendar for 2019


Seedlings of watermelons in a greenhouse or open ground planted when the soil at the depth of the roots warms above +18 degrees, and frosts do not return even at night.

In the Urals or in the Moscow region, this occurs in mid-June. From this time, and begin the countdown of the date of sowing seeds in seedlings.

If the temperature of the soil near the roots is below + 15⁰, the plants will take a long time to settle down, they can weaken and die. Tightening with planting is also not worth it - a ripening crop may fall under the first frost.

Watermelon seedlings best tolerate transplant at the age of 25-30 days. Processed seeds germinate from ten days to two weeks. Simple calculations show that you need to start planting seeds in late April - early May.

The results of cultivation will be even more weighty if the crop is coordinated with the movement of the moon, with the lunar calendar.

Experienced gardeners claim that half the success in growing crops depends on the correct planting dates. Especially for gardeners, the Lunar Calendar is published annually, the recommendations of which are advisable to use, so as not to wonder why plants are lagging behind or ill. Depending on the region, watermelon is sown in different months.

Favorable days for planting in 2019 will be the following dates:

  • in March - from 7 to 20;
  • in April from 6 to 18;
  • in May from 6 to 18;
  • in June - from 4 to 16.

On the days of the new moon and the full moon, as well as on the eve of and immediately after these dates, it is not recommended to carry out a landing, a transplant and a pick. These days are:

  • March - 6, 21;
  • April - 5, 19;
  • May - 5, 19;
  • June - 3, 17;

What else can be considered for a healthy planting material:

  • Sowing seeds for growing seedlings is recommended during the growing moon
  • From seeds sown on full moon or new moon days, seedlings are obtained with reduced yield;
  • Plants grown from seeds sown on days short of a full moon have a less elongated stem.
  • The seedling is better to take root in the open field, if for the time of its adaptation to cover with a film, the whole bed as a whole or transparent plastic bottles with a capacity of 5 liters to create an atmosphere with high humidity.


Seed preparation

Despite its rather large size, watermelon seeds germinate long enough. Watermelon belongs to the pumpkin family, and it means that you can also warm up the seeds of cucumbers and prepare them for sowing, just like the seeds of cucumbers. You can hold them for a month at a temperature of about 40 degrees.

In former times, peasants carried such seeds in a pouch around their necks. Today they are kept in a warm place - above the stove in the kitchen or near the battery.

Before sowing, seeds are useful to free from infections, the pathogens of which remain on the shell. As disinfectants use a pale pink solution of potassium permanganate, aloe juice, Fitosporin, soda solution or just hot water with a temperature not higher than 50 degrees.

Decontaminated seeds are germinated in a humid environment before naklevyvaniya.

  1. Use a damp cloth, which in an airtight container is placed in the heat of about 28-30 degrees.
  2. Seeds should be regularly inspected and checked to see if the substrate has dried, whether seedlings have appeared.
  3. Germinated seeds are recommended to harden. They are kept at a temperature not lower than +6 degrees.
  4. Twelve hours kept in the cold, the next twelve hours in the heat. Change the temperature produced 2-3 times.


  Sowing dry seeds

While the seeds are disinfected and stratified, we are preparing the soil.

The soil should be light, loose, permeable, but at the same time, nutritious. Suitable primer for cucumbers.

To prepare the planting mixture itself you need to mix well:

  • 1 piece of sod land
  • 1 part crumbly humus
  • 1 part of coarse sand.
  • 10 liters of the mixture obtained is useful to add 1 liter of wood ash.

The soil mixture decomposed into planting containers is disinfected. For this, hot water or Phytosporin solution will do. The mixture prepared in autumn can be frozen during the winter. The soil in planting tanks can be enriched with useful soil microflora - we pour them with Baikal EM working solution.


  Sowing germinated seeds

Growing watermelon seedlings is necessary in an individual container - pumpkin plants are very sensitive to damage to the roots. The seedlings ready for planting should have a strong root system and 3-4 leaves formed - a large plant.

For her, suitable peat pots, milk or juice boxes, plastic cups or cut plastic bottles. Two requirements for the dishes - the volume of not less than 0.6-0.8 liters and drainage holes.

Earthen mixture fill planting capacity of 2/3. The mixture is compacted, shed, prepared seeds are placed on the surface, covered with soil 2 cm. If there are many seeds, then two seeds can be sown in one pot. To speed up germination, the seed pots are sealed and placed in a warm place.


After the emergence of shoots, a weak sprout is cut off. Pulling is not recommended - it is possible to damage a stronger sprout.

The remaining sprouts by day contain at 20–25 degrees of heat by day, at night the temperature should drop to 18–20. Every day it is necessary to conduct airing of the seedlings - to raise the film or the cover to remove excess moisture.

A light day for watermelon seedlings should last about 12 hours. The lack of light to prevent the plants from stretching out is compensated by additional lighting.

Watering the seedlings infrequently, but copiously warm settled water. Water should be poured at the root, trying not to fall on the leaves. Water should not stagnate in the pan, it should be regularly removed. Excessive moisture leads to the appearance of rot and oxygen starvation of the root system. Harmful and dry earthen room. The best option is moderately wet soil.

Two weeks before landing in the ground, seedlings begin to harden, to accustom to the open air. Plants in the daytime leave in the open air, first for a short time for 15-20 minutes, then increase the time. When night temperatures become positive, the seedlings can be left without shelter for the whole night.

Growing seedlings, it is necessary to provide free space for young plants - seedlings should not touch the leaves.

Top dressing

At the age of ten days, seedlings are fed for the first time. The second and last time fertilized seedlings 10 days after the first feeding. For all fertilizers fertilizers are used in liquid form. The first fertilizer mixture contains more nitrogen in its composition - to accelerate the growth of green mass. The fertilizer mixture for the second dressing should add phosphorus and potassium to the soil - they have a beneficial effect on the root system.

Difficulties in growing watermelon seedlings

Seedling withers

There are many reasons for decay:

  • lack or excess of moisture
  • root damage by infections
  • cold soil.

Seedlings damaged by infections are removed, the remaining plants are treated with fungicides and reduce watering.

Yellow leaves appear on the seedlings, the plants die.

Most often, with such symptoms, brown spots are found at the base of the stem. Such seedlings must be isolated and destroyed. For prophylaxis before planting, it is necessary to decontaminate the soil, and contain seedlings at sufficiently high ambient temperatures.

The main conditions for obtaining healthy watermelon seedlings:

  • disinfection of soil, seeds, dishes, tools;
  • moderate watering;
  • timely feeding;
  • sufficient lighting;
  • stable temperature


Transplanting seedlings to ground

The frosts are over, the soil has warmed up, the third leaf has grown on the plant - the seedlings can be transferred to the garden bed. Indoor ground can be transferred one week earlier.

For watermelon beds choose a place lit by the sun, protected from cold winds. When planting seedlings on virgin soil, fertilizers can and do not apply. In other areas for planting, good humus is introduced up to 10 kg per m2. Ideally, the humus in the garden is scattered in the fall and immediately dug up. In the spring in the planting wells pour complex fertilizer, you can specialized for pumpkin.

Additionally, you can warm the soil before planting by covering the hole with a dark film or spilling it with hot water when planting seedlings.   Like all pumpkin, watermelons do not like to be disturbed by the roots.  When transplanting it is desirable to keep a clod of land intact - this will speed up plant survival. The likelihood of survival of seedlings will increase if, after planting, cover it with film or plastic bottles with a cropped bottom.

The plantation of watermelon seedlings on bahche - 50 cm between the bushes in a row and 150 - 200 cm between the rows. For a decent harvest of watermelons need a lot of space. Each whip can grow to 2.5 m or more.

With a lack of space, the fruit will not reach the declared mass. It will not give standing crops and planting watermelons between the trees - there will be a lack of sun.


Planted plants should be watered approximately twice a week. About ten liters of sun-warmed water should be poured into each well. In areas with high humidity, in the Urals or in Siberia, for the entire growing season, watermelons are watered only 5-6 times. During the period of fruit ripening, one and a half to two weeks before harvesting, watering is stopped completely.

Get on three fruits on each bush (a larger number of the plant can not feed) can, if properly form a bush.

  • The first fruit is left on the main stem, at 4-5 knot.
  • The second fruit is formed on the third branch of the 2nd order.
  • The last fruit can be left on the third-order shoot on the second shoot of the 2nd order.
  • The rest of the shoots pinch, leaving one sheet after the ovary.


Watermelon plants planted on a permanent place should be fed in a timely manner, despite the beds planted with fertilizer.

Fertilizer application at a permanent growth site:

  • on 9-11 days after planting, 2 liters of ammonium nitrate solution diluted in a proportion of 20g to 10 liters of water is poured into each well.
  • at intervals of 7-14 days, plants are fertilized with infusions of mullein, humus, herbal kvass or chicken manure, in which wood ash is dissolved.

As on all fruit plants, there are pests and diseases on watermelons.

Watermelon pests

Gourd Aphid

Wireworm

Spider mite

To control pests in the early stages of growth of watermelon bushes, you can use insecticides with a long waiting period. When ripe, it is necessary to process plantings only with biological preparations with short waiting times.

Watermelon diseases

Most often planting watermelons are affected by all sorts of rot, anthracnose, bacteriosis, powdery mildew.

The main measure of disease control is prevention - crop rotation, the correct scheme of planting, seed and soil treatment, autumn harvesting and destruction of plant debris.

The only means of dealing with rot is the timely removal of diseased parts of a plant or the whole plant from a bed. From powdery mildew, you can use a solution of baking soda, unpasteurized whey, an infusion of ash.



Mealy dew

Root rot


To grow a sweet watermelon in the Moscow region or Siberia, you need to put a lot of effort. But a fresh, sweet, environmentally friendly watermelon on the table will justify the wasted effort and money.

Growing watermelons - care and formation: video