We grow an exotic berry yellow watermelon in summer cottages
Yellow watermelon has recently appeared on the shelves of Russian supermarkets, but it has already fallen in love with connoisseurs of sweet berries for its delicate, honeyed taste and unusual pulp color. In appearance, it is no different from the usual watermelon - it has a green rind with dark stripes, but the juicy watermelon pulp attracts attention with a rich golden yellow color. You can grow an unusual yellow watermelon in your own country house, observing the rules of agricultural technology.
The history of the emergence of yellow watermelon
In fact, the emergence of this unusual berry was the result of crossing a cultivated red and wild African watermelon. Wild watermelons are unsuitable for human consumption in their natural form, as their flesh has a pleasant, watery taste.
Main features of yellow watermelon:
- the peel is light green, with stripes of dark contrasting color;
- some varieties may not have stripes on the peel;
- the average weight of a watermelon is 5-8 kg;
- the shape can be round or oblong;
- the pulp is juicy, lemon yellow or peach shade;
- differs in the minimum number of seeds or their complete absence;
- due to the increased concentration of sugar (up to 10-12%) they have a sweet, honey taste.
Among the regions where yellow watermelons grow are Spain, Thailand, the Mediterranean.
"Sunny" berries are successfully grown in Russia. At the same time, both the central regions and the cold climatic conditions of Siberia and the Urals are suitable for watermelon. But if, when grown in the Mediterranean countries, the berry reaches 8-10 kg, then for the Russian climate the maximum limit is 4-5 kg.
Useful properties of yellow watermelon
The popularity of yellow watermelon is due not only to the sweet taste and unusual color of the pulp, but also to the many beneficial properties. This berry is an excellent source of vitamins A, B, C, E, PP, iron, calcium, magnesium, sodium and other micro and macro elements.
Benefits of yellow watermelons:
- improves immunity due to the high concentration of ascorbic acid;
- stimulates the work of the gastrointestinal tract;
- improves the condition of hair, nails and skin;
- removes excess fluid from the body and prevents puffiness;
- accelerates cleansing from toxins and toxic substances;
- improves vision;
- reduces the manifestations of anemia by saturating the body with iron;
- strengthens the cardiovascular system.
Watermelon with yellow flesh belongs to low-calorie foods - its nutritional value is only 36 kcal per 100 g. In addition, the berry contains practically no cholesterol and fats, which makes it very useful for people on a diet or suffering from atherosclerosis.
Yellow watermelon has a few contraindications. This unusual berry should not be used for renal failure, diabetes mellitus, diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, especially during an exacerbation.
Yellow watermelon - popular varieties
Through the efforts of breeders, several dozen varieties of yellow watermelon were bred, intended for cultivation in various climatic conditions.
Most popular varieties:
- Lunny F1 is the most famous and widespread variety of yellow watermelon, which has gained popularity in Russia due to its excellent cold resistance. The pulp is golden yellow with a pleasant mango flavor. Ripening period - up to 73-76 days.
- The Yellow Dragon is an early ripe species characterized by an oblong shape and an average weight of 4-6 kg. The pulp is orange-yellow, with a honey flavor. Ripening period up to 60 days.
- Golden Grace is a popular hybrid originally from Holland. Differs in good frost resistance and large fruits with golden yellow pulp and small, transparent seeds. The average ripening period is 78-83 days.
- Yanosik is a mid-season variety of yellow watermelon that ripens in 78-80 days. Fruits are oblong and small - up to 4-6 pcs. The pulp is juicy, sugary, with honey tints.
- Prince Hamlet is a variety bred by Russian breeders. This is an early ripe species - it takes no more than 65-68 days for a watermelon to ripen. The pulp is light lemon in color, it tastes like pineapple.
Other popular varieties of yellow watermelon include Imbar, Peach, Primagold, Yellow Gold, and Kawbuz.
Features of growing yellow watermelon
Yellow watermelon is a rather demanding crop. It is grown both as seedlings and seeds. To do this, it is imperative to take into account the peculiarities of growing yellow watermelons - the need for sunlight, heat, high-quality soil and regular watering.
To grow yellow watermelons, you need to prepare an area with loose, nutritious soil. It is best to choose areas with sandy or sandy soil. It is advisable to feed the soil in the fall humus or complex mineral fertilizers.
Growing seedlings
Seeds of yellow watermelons can be sown for seedlings in the second half of March or early April. For growing seedlings, it is best to prepare small peat pots with a volume of no more than 300 ml.
Before sowing, you need to prepare the seeds - for this, soak them for 2-4 hours in heated water. Then fill the seeds with a weak solution of potassium permanganate, after an hour rinse with clean water and dry.
Prepare the seedling substrate - mix humus, peat and river sand in equal proportions. Pour wood ash into the prepared substrate (20-22 g per 1 kg of soil). You can also use a ready-made potting medium for pumpkin crops.
Planting seedlings:
- fill the pot with substrate 2/3;
- pour over heated water;
- stick 2-3 seeds into the substrate;
- sprinkle with prepared substrate and pour;
- cover the pot with plastic wrap;
- place in a warm and bright place.
After the first shoots appear, they need to be watered every 2 days with a little water. In mid-May, mature seedlings can be transplanted into open ground.
Transplant into open soil
When 3-4 strong, real leaves appear on the seedlings, it can be transplanted into open ground. It is best to choose sunny, well-lit areas that are protected from drafts. Before planting seedlings, the soil must be loosened twice, the last time - just before replanting watermelons.
For planting watermelons, prepare individual holes, leaving a distance of 70-80 cm between them.You need to plant young shoots deep so that their root collar is covered with soil, otherwise fragile seedlings may be damaged by winds.
Care for yellow watermelons
Proper care will ensure a bountiful harvest of large, sweet, yellow-fleshed watermelons.
Basic rules of care:
- Immediately after planting in open ground, water the watermelons every 2 days, after 2-3 weeks they need less watering, no more than 2 times a week.
- Before the flowering phase, the bed with watermelons must be loosened 2-3 times.
- The first top dressing is applied 2 weeks after planting the seedlings - for this you can use ammonium nitrate, humus or phosphorus-potassium fertilizers.
Yellow watermelon is a delicious healthy and unusual delicacy.If desired, and observing the rules of agricultural technology, each summer resident will be able to grow colorful and exotic berries on the site.