Cultivation of watermelons in the open field is practiced in the middle zone of the Russian Federation. You will need to choose a suitable variety of culture, grow seedlings in humus or peat-humus substrate. After planting plants in open soil, it is required to provide care for the crop, water regularly, fertilize the bushes, and maintain a stable level of illumination.
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Rules for growing watermelons
Before planting work, you will need to select suitable plant varieties. Optimal hybrid species of watermelon, resistant to diseases, insect pests, withstand changes in temperature conditions. Hybrids ripen faster, fruits grow to optimal sizes in not very warm summer and acquire sweetness and sugariness.
In the list of suitable varieties:
- Atamansky;
- Antaeus;
- Attica;
- Borchansky;
- Bonus;
- Vizier;
- Granite;
- Jenny;
- Zenith;
- Golden, etc.
Seed material must be prepared and processed as follows:
- calibration;
- scarification;
- warming up;
- disinfection.
Sizing assumes selection of seeds by size. When sowing, depending on the caliber, the seedlings will be uniform, the plants develop steadily, the branches of the seedlings will be even.
Scarification involves damaging the top layer of the seed to accelerate germination. The procedure is mandatory when growing watermelons in central Russia. Each seed needs to be rubbed with sheets of sandpaper.
Warming up is recommended to accelerate germination. Seeds must be placed in water heated to + 50 ° C and left for 30 minutes.
Disinfection is necessary to disinfect seeds. The planting material should be held in a potassium permanganate solution for 20-25 minutes. Then the seeds are dried on a flat surface. It is not recommended to dry the seed on a battery.
It is necessary to prepare containers and soil mixture. The seedlings are grown in separate pots, at least 10 cm in diameter and up to 12 cm in height. The containers are filled with soil, 3 cm is left from the edge of the pot. It is optimal to choose humus or peat-humus composition. You can use a composition of humus and turf in a ratio of 3: 1. Superphosphate is added to each substrate (1 tsp. l.) and wood ash (2 tbsp. l.) per 1 kg of composition.
Planting stages and care rules
Growing seedlings begins in mid-April. Seeds are placed in pots of 2 pcs. and deepened by 3 cm. After germination, the weaker sprout is removed. The containers are placed on the windowsill on the south side of the house. Drafts are not allowed. The optimal temperature regime during the day is + 20... + 25 ° С. In the evening, the temperature drops to + 18... + 20 ° С.
The place should be well lit. You will need to perform additional lighting using LED lamps. The space is regularly ventilated. After 10-12 days, the plants are fed with a mullein-based composition, which is diluted in proportions of 1:10. After 14 days, the seedlings are fertilized with a mullein solution supplemented with superphosphate, potassium and ammonium sulfate.
The prepared seedlings are transferred to open soil at the end of May. Seedlings must be grown up to 30-35 days, leaves must be at least 4 pieces. Saplings are taken out before planting in a greenhouse or on a balcony. Plants are watered and sprayed with Bordeaux liquid.
The transplant is performed in the morning. The sprouts are taken out of the container with a lump of soil and placed in a depression in the ground. A gap of 70-100 cm must be observed. After planting, the plants are watered and covered with foil.
The seedlings are watered abundantly once every 6-7 days. After the blooming of female flowers, moisture is reduced. After the fruit is formed, the plants are not watered.
The film is shot at the end of June. However, with large temperature differences, polyethylene can not be removed and used to protect against precipitation. The shelter is removed for ventilation.
To protect against insects, watermelons need to be treated with biological products (Fitoverm, etc.). In case of damage by aphids, sprout flies, wireworms, it is recommended to protect the seedlings with insecticides (Aktara, Decis, Tanrek, etc.).
To prevent diseases, a solution of colloidal sulfur, preparations HOM, Abiga-Peak, Ordan, etc. are used.
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