Watermelon is a melon crop that grows reluctantly in northern and middle latitudes. Therefore, you need to buy seeds of zoned varieties. But they will also have to provide suitable conditions: loose semi-dry soil, lots of sun and warmth.
Sowing watermelons for seedlings
Sowing time
Watermelons are grown by residents not only of the south, but also of the middle zone, Siberia and Far East. For regions with cool and short summer This melon crop cannot be grown without seedlings. The timing of sowing seeds depends on the selected variety, as well as on when the threat of return frosts passes in a particular region.
Watermelon seedlings are planted on permanent place at the age of 30–35 days. Knowing the date of the planned planting, it is easy to calculate when you can start sowing. For example, if morning frosts in your region occur until mid-May, then you need to sow a month earlier plus a week (for soaking and germination), we get the beginning of April.
Watermelon seedlings are 30 days old, can be planted in the ground
When to sow if watermelons grow in a greenhouse?
Planting in a greenhouse or unheated greenhouse, not in open ground have almost no effect on the above calculations. If you plan to plant under cover, you can sow a week earlier, but after planting the seedlings you will have to monitor the weather and weather forecasts. The fact is that watermelons do not grow or develop at temperatures of +16 ⁰C and below. And if there are many cloudy days, when the sun does not warm up the greenhouse and it is impossible to ventilate, then the seedlings may get sick and die. In addition, during freezing (at night and in the morning) under film or agrill, the temperature is not much higher than outside. Therefore, the seedlings will have to be additionally covered inside a greenhouse or greenhouse.
But in summer, watermelons feel better under waterproof covering materials, since there 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.
Optimal conditions for watermelons: temperature - +25... +30 ⁰C, humidity - 50–60%. Watermelon is a light-loving crop; in cloudy weather, development stops.
Choosing a container for seedlings
Watermelons do not tolerate picking; 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 glass in which the watermelon will grow until planting. The size of the cup is 10 cm in depth and the same in diameter. Moreover, the container should be such that the watermelon can be removed from it along with a lump of earth without exposing the roots. Pots made of peat or compressed paper are ideal; seedlings are planted directly in them without removing them.
It is better not to disturb the roots of watermelons when transplanting. The ideal container for growing seedlings is peat or paper cups
You cannot grow watermelons in peat tablets. This is compressed peat, which does not contain any nutrients. Peat tablets designed for germinating seeds of those crops that require picking.
What kind of soil do watermelons need?
Watermelon loves loose, moderately dry and neutral soil. Therefore, on sandy and sandy loam soils, the crop develops faster and produces rich harvests. The soil for seedlings must be prepared in accordance with these preferences. You can use ready-made soil for cucumbers or make a mixture of equal parts: river sand, humus, turf soil. Before sowing, the soil must be spilled with boiling water or heated for 10 minutes in the microwave. A sign of successful disinfection is that the earth should float.
Video: Biologist's advice on using containers for seedlings and preparing soil mixture
Seed preparation
Often store-bought seeds are already treated with fertilizers and fungicides against diseases. In this case, soaking and germination are not necessary. It is better to germinate untreated seeds to be sure of their germination. Then, after sowing, a sprout will definitely appear in each glass. To do this, watermelon seeds are first soaked in a growth stimulator. The most common is Epin Extra (4 drops per 1 liter of water). It not only promotes the speedy awakening of the plant embryo, but also softens the seed shell.
Watermelon seeds have a very dense and hard shell, so before planting they are soaked in a growth stimulator solution
Watermelon seeds are kept in Epin solution for 12 hours, and then laid out between two damp cotton pads. Place this structure in a disposable plastic container with a lid or on a saucer, which is wrapped in a plastic bag. For rapid emergence of seedlings, a temperature within - +25… +30 ⁰C is needed. After 4-5 days, the seeds should germinate and you can start sowing.
If you have to sow ungerminated watermelon seeds, then to soften their shell, when planting, the soil along with the seed is watered with hot water (+50... +60 ⁰C).
Stages of sowing watermelon seeds for seedlings
Video: How to sow watermelon seeds plus the idea of a greenhouse on the balcony
Caring for watermelon seedlings at home
Temperature and lighting
As soon as the shoots appear, they are transferred for 3–5 days to a sunny and cool place (+18… +20 ⁰C). The temperature in the following days and before disembarkation is +20… +25 ⁰C. Even on a south-facing window, watermelons can stretch out, because the weather does not always please us with sunny days. Therefore you need to be ready seedlings highlight. In addition, the pots are turned to the glass with the other side every day.
On cloudy days, watermelons reach for the glass; lighting is needed
Watering
In addition to warmth and light, watermelons need moisture. Watermelons are watered rarely, but abundantly, soaking the entire lump of earth, but not getting on the leaves. The signal for watering is when the top layer of soil dries to a depth of 1–1.5 cm. Watermelons love dry air, so there is no need to spray them.
The watermelon root is long and adapted to extract water from the lower layers of the soil.
The water should be settled and warm. It is better to keep it in the same place where the watermelons grow, so that there is no temperature difference when watering. The soil in pots is always kept loose.
Feeding
During the entire seedling period, watermelons are given only 1-2 feedings. The first one, a week after germination, is needed if the plants receive enough light and heat, but grow poorly, the real leaves grow slowly, they are small. This means that the soil taken for planting turned out to be poor and has few nutrients. The second feeding is done a week before planting in a permanent place, so that the seedlings gain strength and can more easily withstand stress.
Feeding watermelon seedlings - table
Fertilizers are applied after watering, according to damp earth. Approximately 1-2 tablespoons are poured into each pot.
Photo: Fertilizers for feeding seedlings
Complex fertilizer Fertika Lux (powder) Agricola Forward - concentrate for feeding seedlings 
Uniflor Growth - feeding for rapid development green mass
Hardening
If watermelons continue to grow in open ground, then hardening is necessary. The seedlings are taken out onto the balcony or a window is opened. You cannot immediately expose young watermelons to direct sunlight and wind. For the first “walk”, choose a shaded and protected from the wind place. Gradually intensity and time sunbathing increase from 15 minutes to the whole day.
On outdoors The soil in pots dries out faster, which means you will have to check its condition and water it more often.
Problems with seedlings and solutions - table
| Problem | Cause | Solution |
| Seeds cannot shed their shells | The seeds are sown finely or the seed is weak, underdeveloped | Moisten the shell with water several times a day; the watermelon will shed it on its own. Do not pull the dry shell with your hands; the seedling may die. |
| Uneven shoots | The seeds were sown at different depths, covered with heavy soil on top, and a crust formed. | Use loose soil for watermelon seedlings and sow the seeds at the same depth. |
| The seedlings died, the stems darkened close to the ground | The seedlings got sick with black leg. Among the reasons: overwatering, contaminated ground, cold windowsill. |
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| Not enough light or nutrients |
|
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| Pests have appeared | Aphids or spider mite can switch to watermelons with indoor flowers or from the land in which they winter. |
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| Leaves turn yellow | Not enough power | Feed with Agricola, Fertika Lux or Uniflor. |
| Colorless (white) spots on leaves | Seedlings that are taken out of the room into bright sun for the first time often get sunburn. | Start hardening on a cloudy day or shade the watermelons, for example, with paper. On the windowsill, the leaves of the seedlings should not touch the glass. |
| White mold on the soil surface | There are mold spores in the air of any room. It develops in waterlogged soil with a lack of ultraviolet rays. | Loosen, sprinkle the ground with crushed coal, wood ash, spray with a weak solution of brilliant green (1 drop per 1 liter of water). |
When to plant watermelons in a permanent place?
The main rule for a gardener is to plant seedlings in the evening or on a cloudy day. Watermelons should be well watered 3-5 hours before. Of course, there should no longer be frost in the morning. A temperature favorable for watermelons is required: during the day +20... +30 ⁰C, at night not lower than +16... +18 ⁰C. The seedlings are shaded for the first 2–3 days.
Perhaps you have already begun preparations for the planting season and, perhaps, have chosen desired variety watermelon Then we will share with you information about when to plant watermelon seedlings in 2019. Correct timing will help you get bountiful harvest.
It is difficult to unequivocally answer the question of when to plant watermelon seeds for seedlings in 2019. Let's try to understand this issue. In most cases, seeds for seedlings are planted starting March 15th. The timing of sowing is affected by:
- climate features in the region;
- selected variety;
- weather;
- plant diving.
Having carefully studied all the above factors, gardeners can use the lunar calendar for 2019 to determine the date for sowing seeds. It is worth saying that using the recommendations that the lunar calendar gives is good, but to achieve success you also need to take into account the rules of agricultural technology for caring for watermelons.
A favorable day is chosen according to the calendar. In 2019, farmers are wondering when to plant watermelons according to the lunar calendar. From March 19 to March 24, according to the calendar, the time is favorable. From 4 to 9 and from 19 to 23 May good time for planting seeds. Planting watermelons for seedlings in 2019 can be done from June 2 to June 6. If you want to plant early or mid-ripening varieties, it is best to do this on any day from April 5 to 9 or from April 20 to 24.
Only in the south of Russia can seeds be planted directly into the soil. In other regions, growing seedlings is simply necessary, otherwise the berry will not grow in open ground, it will not have enough heat and light, so necessary for proper development.
Before sowing, the seeds need preparation. Then the seedlings will grow well and resist diseases. 5 days before sowing, the seeds are soaked in warm water and place the container with seeds on the battery. The water is stirred regularly for 4 hours. The next procedure is seed disinfection. To carry it out, prepare a bright pink solution of potassium permanganate. The seeds are carefully placed in it for half an hour, after which they are washed with heated water.
The next stage is germination. Moisten a soft cloth with water, wrap the seeds in it and place them in a container until the sprouts hatch. Throughout germination, the cloth must be moistened every day.
To grow seedlings take peat pot so as not to damage the roots during transplantation. Seedlings should be planted directly in the soil. You should not take large pots, a height of 10 cm is enough. Stepping back 3 cm from the edge, place a humus-peat mixture in them and water it warm water. The seeds are lowered to a depth of 3 cm.
Please note that the seeds are lowered into the soil with the blunt end down. Then they are sprinkled with earth and covered with film. Pots with seedlings are placed in a warm, well-lit place without drafts. Seedlings are not watered often and not heavily.
In a week the first shoots will appear. At this point, the film is removed, giving freedom to growth. To avoid stretching, provide backlighting in dark time days. Next, they begin to harden the seedlings. If you have a glazed loggia, then this is a great place. There, the seedlings grow for 10–12 days with moderate and infrequent watering, avoiding waterlogging of the soil.
When you notice a real watermelon leaf, it's time to feed with bird droppings. Before planting, seedlings should spend 3 days outdoors. Before planting, it needs to be well watered and sprayed against diseases. A solution of Bordeaux mixture will do.
Timing for planting seedlings
When the seedlings have 5-6 developed leaves, the stem and root have become stronger, the planting material is ready for planting in open ground. Plant the seedlings in the morning. First, prepare the holes, which are arranged in a checkerboard pattern. The distance from each other is 100 cm. 2 liters of water are poured into each hole. You should take the settled one.
If you planted the seeds in a peat pot, then the seedlings are placed in the hole along with it. If not, then the seedlings are pulled out along with the earthen lump and carefully so as not to damage root system, placed in the hole. Free space covered with soil prepared in advance. The soil is lightly compacted. To prevent the roots from rotting, sprinkle with a layer of dried sand. Landing completed. The last stage is watering the watermelon bed with warm water.
The seedlings are covered with homemade paper caps, protecting them from direct sun rays. The seedlings will be in their “hats” until the leaves become elastic.
If you are planting watermelon in a greenhouse, follow the same plan of action. Since in this case there will be less space, build supports along which the watermelons, as they grow, will rise.
To grow juicy and fleshy watermelons in difficult climatic conditions, you need to create comfort for the seedlings and properly care for the seedlings. Attention to the melon crop and patience will provide you with an excellent harvest.
Video “Growing watermelons in open ground”
From this video you will learn how to properly grow watermelons in open ground.
Watermelon is the largest striped berry, which is really highly valued all over the world for its indescribably divine taste, deliciously fresh aroma, exquisitely grainy red pulp, and most importantly, extreme benefits for the body. This is understandable, because the “berry” helps the body get rid of excess fluid, is included in diets for the treatment of rheumatism, urolithiasis, diseases of the biliary tract, gout, obesity. Many gardeners and summer residents love to grow watermelons on their plots. Following our recommendations and advice on self-cultivation juicy and delicious berries Using seedlings or direct planting directly into the ground, you can get a luxurious and high-quality harvest from your beds.
Choosing a watermelon variety
A number of factors have an important influence on the yield of watermelons:
- landing dates;
- seed preparation;
- conditions of detention;
- care, etc.
But one of the main ones is the variety of watermelons planned for planting. By the way, more than 1200 varieties are known. The best varieties The following varieties are recognized for sowing seedlings, as well as for seeds directly into open ground:
- Crimson Sweet;
- Ogonyok;
- Sugar Baby;
- Producer;
- Chill;
- Top Gun F1;
- Astrakhan;
- Skorik;
- Photon;
- Gift of the Sun, etc.
They all have the following advantages:
- unpretentiousness in agricultural technology;
- disease resistance;
- drought resistance;
- good yield;
- transportability;
- stability to temperature changes.
The “Crimson Sweet” watermelon variety, beloved by all gardeners and summer residents, stands out among others:
- excellent taste;
- good germination;
- early maturation;
- resistance to diseases and pests;
- beyond juiciness and sweetness;
- high yield.
Read the description of the Watermelon variety Crimson Sweet on the back of the packet of seeds.
Preparation and processing of watermelon seeds for planting as seedlings
To prepare watermelon seeds for seedlings, it is enough to carry out the following activities: calibration, scarification, heating, disinfection, germination.
Calibration- This is the distribution of watermelon seeds by size. If you sort the seed according to “caliber”, then all the seedlings will develop simultaneously and amicably.
Scarification- this is a violation of the shell of a watermelon seed in order to speed up its germination. To do this, it is recommended to damage the seed shell by rubbing it with the spout on sandpaper.
Warming up- this is an increase in the temperature of the seeds in order to increase the rate of their biochemical reactions. To warm watermelon seeds, you need to lower them into water at a temperature of 50-55 degrees and soak them in it for 30 minutes.
Disinfection- this is disinfection seed material. For disinfection purposes, watermelon seedlings must be kept for about 20 minutes in a pink solution of potassium permanganate (1%, i.e. 1 mg per 1 liter of water). When the time is up, rinse them under clean water and dry until the required flowability appears.
Germination- this is the creation of conditions for faster seed germination. Here are step-by-step instructions for germinating watermelon seeds:
- treat the seeds with any disinfectant;
- place the seeds on moistened gauze, folded in half;
- put in plastic bag, tie and hang near a radiator or heater.
Important!It is strictly necessary to check the germination material at least once every 2 days, otherwise the seeds may become very overgrown and will be difficult to sow.
Every novice summer resident will be interested to know that another option is germinating watermelon seeds in water-soaked sand at a temperature of no less than 25 degrees. In addition, you can use hydrogel, which in Lately is gaining unprecedented popularity among gardeners and summer residents.
As soon as the time has come, that is, the seed has “opened” and the length of the sprout has become 1-2 mm, it is important to start hardening planting material . IN in this case The following versions are offered:
- After filling a deep container with snow and ice, place the sprouted seeds on top. Leave them like this for 5-6 hours.
- Place a damp cotton cloth with hatched seeds in the refrigerator for 5-7 hours.
The practical value of these preventive measures is that they are directed against many diseases and enable the plant to strengthen and survive in conditions of unpredictable weather disasters.
When to plant watermelon seedlings
When planting watermelons for seedlings, there is no doubt about the need to follow the points below: the unique climate of the area, the mandatory age cycle of seedlings at the time of planting in open ground and a greenhouse, as well as the length of time for growing seedlings. But besides this, experienced gardeners pay attention to optimal timing sowing watermelon seeds according to the lunar calendar.
According to the lunar calendar in 2019
Favorable dates for sowing watermelons for seedlings, in open ground or in a greenhouse according to the 2019 lunar calendar are the following days:
- in February - 15-17, 23-25;
- in March - 15-19, 23-25, 27-30;
- in April - 6-9, 11-13, 20, 21, 24-26, 29-30;
- in May - 3, 4, 8-10, 17-18, 21-23, 26-28, 31;
- in June - 5, 6, 13-15, 18-20.
However, it is not always possible for a summer resident to sow within the specified time frame (not only watermelons are planted in the spring), so it is important to know when it is strictly forbidden to sow watermelons, and these periods must be taken into account in your spring calendar:
- in February - 4, 5, 19;
- in March - 6, 7, 21;
- in April - 5, 19;
- in May - 5, 19;
- in June - 3, 4, 17.
Therefore, it is necessary to prepare in advance for sowing watermelon seeds.
According to lunar calendar from the magazine “1000 tips for a summer resident.”
Depending on region and climate
Just on South Watermelon seeds can be planted directly in open ground or a greenhouse . In other regions, growing seedlings is simply necessary, otherwise it is almost impossible to count on success.
IN Middle lane It is recommended to grow only early ripening varieties watermelons and don’t chase too much large sizes. Optimal time for planting seedlings in open ground (preferably in a greenhouse) in the Moscow region - the second half of May. Therefore, seeds should be sown approximately 2 months before this date, that is, starting from mid-March.
It’s no joke, but today you can grow watermelons relatively successfully in Siberia and the Urals! Not long ago, special varieties were created that are well adapted to the harsh northern climate. Naturally, only through seedlings with further planting only in a polycarbonate greenhouse. Planting dates are similar to those near Moscow, but slightly shifted.
Video: how to plant and grow watermelons in the Urals and Siberia
Planting watermelon seeds for seedlings
As most melon growers and summer residents know, watermelon seedlings, like all pumpkin seedlings, are characterized by a weak root system and do not tolerate transplantation well, which is why each seedling is immediately grown in a separate container and in the future are not subjected to the picking procedure.
Choosing a container and soil for growing seedlings
Beginning summer residents often wonder what kind of containers can become a win-win option for growing watermelon seedlings at home. The main thing that matters is size.
This is why it is more profitable to switch to a non-picking container with a diameter of 10 cm and a height of 12 cm. This explained the fact that containers for seedlings will need to be filled with soil so that there remains about 3 cm to the edge of the pot (it will be convenient when watering, and will also make it possible to add more soil as the plants grow). The second condition is the material from which the container is made. Specialty stores or specialty departments in many stores offer the following options:
- peat or cardboard cups;
- plastic pots;
- peat tablets;
- disposable plastic cups;
- wooden or plastic boxes.
As for those summer residents who like to do everything with their own hands from improvised means, there are no barriers to their imagination, and the choice for them is huge, since, in essence, growing seedlings is quite easy. productive in any container:
- cut plastic bottles;
- cups of sour cream, kefir, yogurt;
- thick plastic bags,
- foil containers, etc.
It’s not a bad idea to use cardboard rolls left over as seedling containers. paper towels, toilet paper.
Concerning soil for watermelon seedlings, it grows best in the following composition:
- 1 part humus soil;
- 1 part peat humus soil.
Or this soil mixture:
- 1 part peat;
- 1 part of turf land;
- 1 part sand.
Another substrate option could be the following ratio:
- 1 part of turf land;
- 3 parts humus.
It would not be superfluous to add to any of these soil mixtures a couple of tablespoons wood ash or 1 teaspoon of superphosphate (proportions are calculated for 1 kg of substrate).
Direct landing
Planting watermelon seeds occurs as follows. As soon as the seeds “hatch”, they are sown 2-3 pieces in a separate container to a depth of 2-3 cm, sprinkled with sand on top, covered with film and left in a warm place at a temperature of +30. Then it is recommended to place the containers with the plantings on the windowsill of the south window, protected from possible drafts.
Video: planting watermelons for seedlings
Caring for watermelon seedlings: necessary maintenance conditions
When the seedlings emerge after approximately 7-9 days, it is recommended to remove the film and reduce the temperature to 16-18 ºC for 9-10 days. Then you should critically review the planting and remove the most stunted seedling from each container, and then raise the temperature again to 20-25°C. At the same time, in the dark it should be reduced to 18-20°C. This regime must be maintained for 3 weeks.
Experienced melon growers advise water watermelon seedlings repeatedly and gradually, giving time for the water to absorb. However, it is very important to prevent moisture from getting on the leaves of the seedlings.
Another interesting point proper care for watermelon seedlings: with the yield of 3-4 true leaves, the seedlings are much more relevant feed liquid mullein or a solution of complex mineral fertilizers. The emerging seedlings can best be fed with mullein (namely: it is necessary to dilute it with water in the ratio of 1 kg of mullein per 1 bucket of water). Secondary feeding is carried out after about 2 weeks. Now it’s time to add ammonium sulfate (15 grams), superphosphate (50 grams) and potassium sulfate (30 grams) for every 1 liter of fertilizer to the mullein.
It is advisable to note that caring for watermelon seedlings, in addition to feeding and watering, also involves preparing a special artificial lighting since the seedlings are in dire need of 12-hour lighting. In case of lack of light, seedlings tend to stretch out. That is why on gloomy days, as well as in a poorly lit room, seedlings need to be illuminated with phytolamps or more economical LED lamps.
Video: how to grow healthy seedlings watermelons
When and how to plant watermelon seedlings in open ground
By the end of May everything comes together necessary elements for planting watermelon seedlings in open ground: the seedlings are 30-35 days old and have 3-4 leaves.
Important! Remember that it is recommended to plant watermelons at a soil temperature of 15-16 degrees and an air temperature of 18-20 degrees.
To choose a place in the garden for melons, It is advisable to stay in the sunniest and warmest place, not shaded from the south and not blown by cold winds from the north and west. Nearby deposits groundwater are strictly prohibited. It is better to place the holes in one row from north to south, and the distance between the holes should be at least 60-80 centimeters.
For watermelons promising, if before them the garden bed was green perennial herbs such as alfalfa, sweet clover, as well as winter wheat, cabbage, onions or annual legumes.
Unproductive grow watermelons after plants such as nightshades (potatoes, tomatoes, eggplants, peppers) and pumpkins (melon, squash, squash) due to similar pests and diseases.
By the way! Watermelons can be grown in a greenhouse with tomatoes!
The most irreplaceable soil for watermelon is sandy or sandy loam with a pH value of 6.5-7 units. Experienced melon growers know that the garden bed for watermelons should be put in order in the fall: to do this, they conscientiously dig up the ground with half-rotted manure or humus. It is advisable to add 4-5 kg of rotted manure per 1 m², as well as 15-25 g of potassium salt, 40-45 g of superphosphate, and 24-35 g of ammonium sulfate. In heavy soils, it is recommended to add 1-2 buckets of sand per 1 m².
Carefully! Fresh manure should absolutely not be used to fertilize the soil.
When digging, there is no particular trick to removing the roots of the weeds, especially since the watermelon strongly “disrespects” such close “neighbors”.
It would be very prudent if 10 days before planting the seedlings in the garden you plan hardening seedlings on a balcony or on a glazed loggia for 1-2 hours. In this case, the length of time spent on the floor should be adjusted daily. fresh air, but limited to 24 hours.
In the spring, as soon as the last snow melts and the time of inevitable frosts ends, the ground is loosened and, as a precaution, covered with black non-woven fabric or transparent film. It is interesting to note that many gardeners prefer transparent film, since it has a number of undeniable advantages:
- reduces evaporation from the soil in hot weather;
- prevents the soil from becoming waterlogged during the forced period of prolonged rains;
- keeps the soil under the film under the conditions of the required heat and moisture.
When the ground warms up, small holes in the shape of crosses are cut in the covering material for planting watermelon seedlings at a distance of about 140 by 100 cm.
Under each hole in the covering material, a small depression is made, into which fertilizers (humus, ash) are added and watered abundantly.
After first irrigating the ground with water, the watermelon seedlings are very carefully taken out of the cups and planted without filling the soil to the level of the root collar.
Video: secrets of planting watermelons in open ground
Further care for watermelons
In order to grow large watermelons, they need to be properly cared for.
Watering. Having decided to grow watermelons in the country as an experiment, always remember about proper and timely watering. It is imperative to ensure that the soil is moist but not swampy. It is advisable to water in the evening, avoiding drops of water on the leaves of the plant and no more than once a week. As soon as fruits form, it needs to be stopped.
Video: when to stop watering watermelons
Important! Watermelon prefers weekly loosening and weeding rather than watering.
Shelter. If the gap between night and day temperatures is significant, it is recommended not to remove the polyethylene. It is also necessary to protect the plantings from rain.
Pollination. In case of insufficient pollination due to the lack of insects or uncomfortable gloomy weather, it is advisable to carry out the pollination procedure of watermelons manually, touching the stamens of one flower to the pistils of others. In addition, you can use drugs "Ovary" or "Bud". By the way, you will have an additional chance to get a stunning ovary if you do the manipulation in the morning at a temperature of 18-20°C, but only if the night before the temperature did not drop below 12°C.
Video: manual pollination of watermelons
Feeding. The first feeding is carried out a week after planting the seedlings in the ground. Next, follow the instructions of the fertilizer used. However, fertilizing should be stopped after fruit set.
Video: feeding watermelons
Formation. If watermelons are grown on a trellis, it is recommended to form them into 1 stem. With the appearance of 3-4 fruits, and as soon as the stem “reaches” the trellis, it is recommended to pinch the top of the shoot.
Video: how to form watermelons in a greenhouse
Monitoring the growth of lashes. They need to be directed in one direction, provided that they do not intertwine together as they grow.
Pest protection. Aphids, sprout flies, onion borers, cutworms and wireworms are the main pests of watermelon. To prevent their occurrence, it is recommended to pre-treat watermelon plantings with special biological products, for example, Fitoverm. If there are an unimaginable number of insects, it is best to use insecticides ( "Aktaru", "Decis" or "Fufanon", and works well against melon aphids - "Tantrek").
Being a proponent of using simple but popular folk remedies, use the mixture ash and tobacco dust in a 1:1 ratio. In this case, 15-20 minutes after the manipulation it is necessary to loosen the soil, removing surviving insects.
Protection from diseases. Watermelons are susceptible to the same ailments as cucumbers: powdery mildew, anthracnose, downy mildew, ascochyta blight. Therefore, the means to prevent the occurrence of diseases will be - “Hom”, “Abiga-P”, “Ordan”, colloidal sulfur. In addition, it is advisable to resort to the help of fungicides, namely: "Fundazola" Bordeaux mixture, "Skora", "Decisa".
Video: prevention of watermelon diseases
Planting and growing watermelons from seeds in open ground
You can sow watermelons directly into the ground, but you first need to choose a variety or hybrid designed specifically for your area. If the ground has warmed up to a depth of approximately 9-11 cm, and the best weather for seedlings is within +15 °C...+ 16 °C, it is time to sow watermelon seeds in open ground. Planting pattern - 140 by 100 cm. When seedlings appear, they need to be thinned out. When 3-4 true, not cotyledon, leaves grow, process again, leaving the strongest ones. After this, you should carry out the same care as when growing watermelons through seedlings.
Important! To prevent ripening fruits from rotting on soil that is not always dry, it would be appropriate to place a wooden plank under them.
Planting and growing watermelons from seeds in a greenhouse
With the arrival of spring, it is necessary to do it in the garden landing hole about 25 cm deep and place dried hay in it. Next, cover it again with soil from the pit. Cover the soil with a board and compact the soil with your weight. After this, it is recommended to cover the bed in the greenhouse with transparent plastic film. Soon the earth will warm up quite quickly to the required 15–16 degrees. In addition, when the hay rots, heat will be released, so after 12-14 days It will be possible to sow watermelon seeds.
Before planting watermelons in a polycarbonate greenhouse, it is recommended to spread out 1 meter of each bed, 1 bucket of rotted manure or compost, plus 1/2 bucket of sand and 1 liter of ash and dig up to a depth of 10-12 cm (half the length of a shovel). Next, you need to dig holes at a distance of 40-50 (maybe 70 by 70 cm) cm relative to each other. After this, it is recommended to irrigate the bed with lukewarm water and place 2-3 seeds per hole at a distance of 4-5 cm. The ideal planting depth is 4-6 cm.
Advice for beginning summer residents - Cover the crops on top with transparent plastic film or plastic jars cut in half.
After about 8-10 days, shoots will appear, and instead of film, double lutrasil will provide invaluable help.
What is good about this method is that seedlings covered in this way may not be afraid of frost down to −4-6 degrees. If some of the seeds do not come out, then it is worth replanting the unnecessary seedlings from the holes in the neighborhood into the empty holes, but provided that the seedlings have 3-4 real leaves.
With the disappearance of night frosts and the increase in temperature at night, lutrasil should be removed, and it would not hurt to secure the plants with twine or rope to the horizontal side of the trellis.
Soon after fertilization, watermelons will begin to grow rapidly. This will be the reason to start watering and feeding them at least once a week. Use 1 tbsp for this. l. azofoski, with the addition of 1 tbsp. l. superphosphate, 1 tsp. potassium sulfate and 2 tsp. uniflor-micro for 10 liters of water. It would be correct to first water the watermelons with warm water, and then add 1 liter of fertilizer for each plant. When large berries reach a productive size, watering and fertilizing should be stopped.
Very often, beginning gardeners are faced with the problem of increasing the weight of ripening watermelon fruits. When the size of the fruit becomes approximately the size of a tennis ball, it is recommended to hang it in a net on a horizontal trellis, as there is a danger of breaking off the rather frail stalk.
Each watermelon fruit needs only 9-11 leaves, therefore, to stop the growth of lashes after the ovary appears, you should leave 5-7 leaves and tear off the rest with the top. Thus, the plant will direct all its forces to the growth and ripening of the fruit. There is also an urgent need to cut off everything side shoots. It is necessary to clearly understand that in a greenhouse you can only get one fruit from one vine, if, of course, you want to wait for a watermelon with good food qualities.
This is difficult to fix, but the main pests of watermelons in a greenhouse remain melon aphid and spider mite. In conditions of prolonged cold weather, prolonged rains, excessive watering, the victim of soil fusarium mushroom seedlings become unprotected . To prevent soil diseases before sowing seeds, a solution of the drug is very useful. Treatments should be repeated every 2-3 weeks. Sometimes watermelons in greenhouses are attacked by anthracnose. Another disease - powdery mildew does not allow itself to be forgotten in the greenhouse, and even in the open ground. Against anthracnose and powdery mildew comes to the rescue again.
In general, systematic spraying with the mixture definitely has a beneficial effect on the prevention of all kinds of watermelon diseases. "Zircona", "Epina-extra" and "Tsitovita".
Harvesting and storage
Thanks to the following signs even a novice gardener can determine the readiness of the berries to take a place on your table:
- completely dried stalk;
- perfectly smooth, like the varnished rind of a watermelon;
- characteristic booming sound when you tap it with your fingers.
Important! Keep the stem of the berry intact to avoid premature rotting.
Logically, watermelons are chosen for storage average size with absolutely intact bark: without any dents, cracks, scratches. When transporting watermelons, it is recommended to place them very carefully and carefully. In order to prevent the transmission of putrefactive infection to neighboring fruits, it is imperative to ensure that they are stored at a certain distance from each other.
If you don’t want to get bogged down in endlessly saving watermelons from spoilage, then stick to the following regime: temperature - 1-5 ºC, air humidity - 70-80%, and also important good hood. And remember that in room setting, even if they are not in a bright, not hot place, it is not a sin to inspect and turn them over daily.
We are already accustomed to the fact that dry moss, straw, wood ash, etc. are used to store watermelons. Another option for a gentle technology for preserving watermelons is to wrap the fruits in thick natural, preferably linen, fabric.
However, no matter what watermelons are stored in, the next significant action for a novice summer resident will be to check the condition at least once a week. striped berries. By choosing the right variety, place and storage method, you will have the opportunity to enjoy amazing berries until the New Year and the beginning of spring.
By the way! More detailed information read about storing watermelon
He who is enlightened is armed. If you are a beginner gardener, but are already dreaming of a colossal harvest of watermelons in your garden, summer cottage, but don’t know how to do this, listen to our advice and recommendations, and you can get maximum pleasure from the taste, quality and yield of this exquisite summer delicacy.
Video: how to grow watermelons - step-by-step instructions from seed to berry
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Many people wonder about growing watermelons at home, but don’t know how to do it. In our step by step instructions with photographs we will tell you how to grow a watermelon in middle lane Russia.
Many people believe that watermelons require very painstaking care and special conditions for growing. This is not entirely correct. Let's take a closer look at how to grow watermelon in your summer cottage.
How to plant watermelons: choose a place and prepare the soil
The place for planting watermelon should be on south side, far from bushes, trees and fences - this crop will not bear fruit, growing in the shade.
Sandy loam soil is the most suitable option. It is very good if tomatoes, grain crops, corn or potatoes grew in this place the previous year.
As for the soil, you should remember that the root system of the watermelon goes quite deep into the ground, so you need to add a large number of fertilizers of organic origin into the soil before planting watermelon, namely:
- Humus (about 2-3 kg per plant),
- Neutral peat (about 7 kg per 1 sq.m.).
Can also be used mineral fertilizers, the most commonly used are the following:
- Urea (30-40 g per 1 m2);
- Superphosphate (30 g per 1 m2);
- Potash fertilizers(20 g per 1 m2).
Exceeding the dosage of these substances will provoke abundant growth of greenery to the detriment of fetal growth, so you should strictly adhere to the recommended amount.
Choosing watermelon seeds
Watermelons are sorted into three types depending on the time of their ripening.
- Early ripening varieties such as Atlant, Au - producer, Borchansky, Borisfen, Gloria F1, Darunok, Crimson, Knyazhich, Ogonyok, Sugar Baby, Royal, Tulip, Orbiy f1 (usually in the form of seedlings).
- Mid-season varieties: Astrakhansky, Melitopolsky 60, New Year's, Ryasny, Snezhok, Sichelav, Tavriysky, Tselnolistny.
- Mid-late variety - Chill.
It is strongly recommended to warm the seeds well before planting. This can be done in artificial conditions: watermelon seeds are poured onto dry gauze and placed on a warm heating battery, over 4 hours the temperature should gradually increase from plus 15 to 50 degrees. Celsius. It is very important to constantly stir the seeds so that they heat evenly.
IN natural conditions You can warm up the seeds by placing them in the open sun for 7-10 days.
Next, soak the watermelon seeds in a slightly warm solution of potassium permanganate for 20 minutes and wash 3-4 times running water. The seeds are then placed in gauze and left in a warm place where temperature regime reaches plus 20-30 degrees. Celsius. We are waiting for the first seeds to begin to hatch.
How to plant a watermelon
Growing watermelon in open ground.
It is worth sowing watermelon seeds in open ground when 10% of the total number of seeds hatch.
Do not rush too much; it is very important that the soil on the site warms up to plus 12-14 degrees. Celsius at a depth of 10 cm (usually mid-April - May).
If the seeds do fall into soil that has not yet been properly warmed up, they will easily lose their germination capacity.
As watermelons grow, they form lash-stems from one to 2 meters long, so they should be planted at an appropriate distance from each other. And in the rows make an indent of 60-80 cm, respectively.
If the soil is very dry, before planting, pour 2 liters of water into each hole (10-12 cm), then lightly sprinkle the hole with soil so that its depth reaches only 4 cm.
So, we planted watermelons. It is very important to place “beacons” in the form of sticks that mark the rows, so that long before the first shoots appear, you can cultivate the soil and do weeding.
During the period of abundant foliage growth, it is necessary to fertilize watermelons. For 10 sq m you will need the following solution:
- 10 liters of water,
- Ammonium nitrate or urea - 150 g,
- Granulated superphosphate - 60 g,
- Potassium salt - 50 gr.
Fertilizing should be done immediately after rains.
- Avoid fertilizers during fruit ripening to protect them from cracking and deterioration in transportability.
- If you want to speed up the ripening process and increase the amount of harvest, try covering the planted watermelons with agrofibre, and then making holes for the sprouted seeds. Agrofibre is left on the surface of the earth until the end of the plant’s growing season, then carefully removed.
- Watermelons should be watered strictly once every 7 days, so as not to provoke the formation of rot.
- Yellowed parts of the plant should be removed promptly.
An alternative way to grow watermelons
It also happens that climatic conditions and area country beds do not give us the opportunity to grow a watermelon without preliminary preparation.
When to plant watermelon seedlings?
You can plant watermelons as seedlings, and after 20 days plant them in a greenhouse or open ground.
It is worth remembering that everything pumpkin plants do not tolerate transplantation well, so they should be planted in fairly large containers so that there is a possibility of transplantation together with big amount land.
So, pots measuring 8*8*8 cm and other containers available on hand are quite suitable for seedlings.
We prepare a universal mixture for planting. Mix humus, peat and turf soil in a ratio of 2:1:1. Next, add 300 grams of superphosphate and 100 grams of wood ash to the resulting mixture per 10 kg of mixture. Divide the mixture into pots and water it 3 days before planting the seeds.
Watermelon seedlings should be planted at the end of April; in this case, after 20-25 days they will be ready for transplanting into a greenhouse or open ground.
We try to maintain the soil temperature in the pots at least 15 degrees, it is also required good lighting, approximately 15 hours a day.
Watering is carried out at the request of the plant - when the soil is almost dry, otherwise there is a possibility that the seedlings will deteriorate due to high humidity and development of blackleg.
Feeding seedlings in pots
For 10 liters of water you will need:
- Ammonium nitrate - 20 g,
- Superphosphate - 35 g,
- Potassium sulfate or chloride - 30 gr.
Fertilizing is done 3-4 days before planting watermelons in the ground; we use 1 cup of fertilizer (250 ml) for each pot.
When average daily temperature air temperature has reached 11-12 degrees, we transplant the watermelons into a greenhouse or open ground.
- Carefully loosen the soil before planting.
- The distance between seedlings in rows is 30-40cm, between rows - 60-70cm.
- It is advisable to plant watermelons in the evening so that they do not dry out.
- The holes are pre-watered with water.
- After planting, it is recommended to tightly close the greenhouse, thereby increasing the chance of good seedling survival.
- If you planted watermelons in open ground, you can create a greenhouse effect using improvised means - cut in half plastic bottle and cover each part with 1 seedling.
- During the first week, you will have to water the seedlings every other day, pouring 0.5 liters of water under each plant. If it's very hot outside, try to water your watermelons daily.
- After 7-10 days, watermelons begin to grow quickly, it’s time to feed and reduce the amount of watering - 1-2 times a week is enough.
- Try to get rid of yellowed parts of the plant in a timely manner.
Caring for the ripening harvest
The harvest begins to ripen in August. It is very important to turn the watermelons over once a week with the bottom side facing the sun - this way they will ripen evenly.
If the weather is humid, try to place small planks under the watermelons to prevent the crop from rotting.
Stop watering the plants only 3-4 days before the expected harvest. The idea that watermelons will be tasteless due to excess moisture is a fiction. For a watermelon to be truly tasty and ripe, it needs a lot of sun and water!
Bottom line
Perhaps, we have considered all the main points that you should know about when growing watermelons in your dacha. Your efforts will definitely be rewarded, and you will certainly receive good harvest watermelons!
I've been trying to grow watermelons for several years now, but the results are not very good. And the seedlings are strong, and I take care of them, but the berries in the beds are always green and do not ripen. Tell me, when do they plant watermelon seedlings in the middle zone?
Growing watermelons in central Russia has its own characteristics due to the harsh climate and heat-loving nature large berries. The fact is that you can plant them, but whether they have time to ripen - that is the question. Therefore, the gardeners living there have long deduced one truth: it is possible to obtain a harvest of melons only by using seedling method their plantings.
Now about the main thing - in order to have time to enjoy the juicy pulp, it is important to know when to plant watermelons for seedlings in the middle zone. In addition, attention should be paid to the following points:
- choose the right varieties;
- grow quality seedlings.
How to determine the time of sowing seeds?
Before you start sowing seeds for seedlings, you must carefully study the instructions on the bag and pay attention to the following data:
- the number of days required to grow full-fledged seedlings;
- the number of days that watermelons require from the moment they set berries until they are fully ripened.
On average, watermelon (and other pumpkin) seedlings can be obtained in 30 days. It will take the same amount of time for the seedlings to grow and become stronger. The optimal time for planting seedlings in the garden is on the 20th of May. This means that you need to sow the seeds approximately two months before this date, but no later than April 1.
More late sowing will not bring results, since the watermelons will not have time to ripen.
Choosing a watermelon variety for the middle zone
Experienced gardeners advise using only early-ripening varieties of watermelons for growing in the middle zone and not chasing too much for large sizes. The main thing is that the berry tastes sweet and has time to ripen while the weather is warm.
The following varieties are perfect for this region:
It is better to purchase seeds in a specialized store or from gardeners who collected them themselves from home watermelons.
Growing seedlings
Before sowing, it is necessary to discard hollow seeds. To do this, simply pour water over the seeds and select those that float to the surface. Wrap the remaining seeds in a piece of damp cloth and leave them to germinate, keeping the cloth moist. This way the shoots will appear faster.
Fresh seeds from last year germinate worse than seeds from two years ago.
Plant the sprouted seeds immediately in separate cups, so as not to damage the root system in the future when transplanting them into the soil. Place the pots on a well-lit windowsill and maintain the room temperature at about 25 degrees Celsius. During the growth of seedlings, feed them 2 times