When watermelons ripen: timing and signs of ripe berries

Description and characteristics of the berry

This berry belongs to the Pumpkin family. It was brought to our region from South Africa. It has the shape of a ball, covered with a dense thick peel from light yellow to dark green, sometimes with stripes. The pulp is pink or red, juicy, sweet in taste with a large number of seeds. Contains many vitamins, micro- and macroelements. Weight can reach up to 20 kg. It is mainly eaten raw, but it is also pickled and made into candied fruits, molasses, and fruit drinks.

Sowing watermelon seeds for seedlings

The most suitable sowing time is April. In more southern regions it is better to do this in the middle of the month, and in northern regions - at the end.

In order for the seeds to germinate better, we first germinated them. To do this, place it between two cotton pads moistened with water and place it on the radiator (or you can simply wrap it in a damp cloth and put it in a warm place). A few days later they hatched.

After which we took 0.5 liter plastic cups and filled them with ready-made soil with an acidity of 6-6.5 pH, intended for vegetable seedlings. The soil was moistened and one seed was planted in each container, deepened by 1.5-2 cm. The seedlings need enough light to germinate, so we placed them on a windowsill located on the south side.

Watermelon seedlings are grown without picking.

During the day, the air temperature in the room was maintained at 20-22°C, and at night – 17-18°C. All our radiators are equipped with thermostats, so this was not difficult to do. The seedlings were watered 2 times a week. But if the air in the apartment is too dry, then the soil needs to be checked regularly and, if necessary, moistened more often.

The seedlings did not keep themselves waiting and sprouted amicably after 2-3 days.

Watermelons grow quickly. At the beginning of May, their stems already began to branch and “crawl.” It was time to take them to the dacha.

Fruit ripening period

Depending on the variety, the ripening period for watermelons is 30–35 days from the appearance of the ovaries to the formation of a ripe fruit.

The following varieties are distinguished:

• early ripening - ripen from the end of July to mid-August;
• mid-season - ripen from early August to mid-September;
• late-ripening - ripen from early to mid-October.

Important! Watermelon should be consumed very carefully by people with diabetes and obesity.

Variety selection

The choice of variety is influenced by the weather of the area, the length of summer, and the length of the growing season. In areas where summers are short and not very hot, there is no point in planting late-ripening varieties - the fruit will not have time to ripen before the onset of cold weather. In this case, the optimal option is early ripening watermelons.

Features to pay attention to:

• resistance to low temperatures;
• requirements for growing conditions;
• growing season;
• timing of planting seedlings and planting in the ground;
• fruit size, length of lashes.

Hybrids tolerate temperature fluctuations well and are more resistant to infections and damage from insect pests, so when choosing seeds, you need to pay attention to this. If it is not possible to visit the site often, then it is better to give preference to zoned hybrids.

What determines the timing of ripening?

Basically, how long berries grow and ripen depends on the characteristics of the climatic zone in which they are grown, the variety (early-ripening, mid-ripening and late-ripening), the time of planting in open ground and the conditions for caring for the crop.

Sowing time

You can sow watermelon seeds directly into the ground, provided that the soil warms up to a depth of 10 cm to +15°C. Another way of growing is to plant seeds in small containers, preferably separate ones for each seed. The optimal sowing time will be the beginning of May, when the weather has completely stabilized and the risk of night frosts has disappeared.

Did you know? There are watermelons with yellow, orange and black flesh.

Compliance with conditions

The basic conditions for effective cultivation in the garden include:

• light - a large amount of lighting is required; with prolonged darkness, plants do not develop and produce a poor harvest;
• temperature - the crop grows best at a temperature of +25...+35°C; when it drops to +15°C, the ripening process slows down;
• moisture - having a powerful root system, the berry requires abundant watering, although it can withstand and tolerate drought;
• soil - loose, light, well-warmed soil without stagnant water and with neutral acidity is optimal;
• crop rotation - is that seedlings can be planted in the same place after 3-4 years. The best predecessors are corn, onions, cabbage, and root vegetables.

Proper care

After sowing watermelons in the garden, it is necessary to provide them with proper care, which consists of the following:

• you need to regularly weed and loosen the soil, avoiding the formation of crust;
• if necessary, water generously with warm water at the root;
• feed with organic (solution from mullein or chicken droppings) and mineral (ammonium sulfate, superphosphate, potassium salt) fertilizers;
• Hill up the plants after watering and fertilizing;
• During the formation of egg-sized ovaries, 3 of them are left on one plant, the rest are torn off along with the flowers and tops.

Where do we usually buy watermelons?

There are several traditional places where we usually buy these wonderful berries. Let's look at their pros and cons.

Shop

In stores, the conditions for storage and sale are the most suitable. It is possible to comply with temperature conditions and sanitary standards. Properly equipped display cases or containers facilitate the process of selecting and inspecting fruits. There are sanitary certificates with all the necessary information about the product.

The only thing that stores, especially large supermarkets, “sin” with is selling watermelons in parts: halves, quarters or even slices.

It would seem that for the convenience of buyers it was done quite reasonably - well, you don’t like watermelon enough to buy a twelve-kilogram fruit and devour it for a week, or you have a small family, or you live alone, or you just want to eat a piece at work for an afternoon snack - but not enough Are there any similar situations? But here lies the main trouble.

The reason for dividing the watermelon into parts is unknown to us. Where is the guarantee that the fruit has not gone under the knife and has begun to partially deteriorate? Can we be sure that when cutting a juicy berry, the workers’ tools and hands were clean, and the watermelon itself was thoroughly washed? And, of course, the cling film used to cover the cut creates a greenhouse effect and an ideal environment for the rapid proliferation of bacteria.

Kolkhoz market

Quite a suitable option. This refers to an official city market or weekend fair, where sanitary control is organized, there are storage and sales premises equipped with a roof. The market administration, as a rule, monitors the availability of the necessary documentation for the goods.

Street vending tents

This is the most vulnerable option. Such places are not always equipped with a sufficiently large canopy, and watermelons are exposed to direct sunlight, which sharply reduces their shelf life.

In addition, at night all products remain locked in mesh barriers right here, close to the trading place. And the constant temperature fluctuation between the heat of the day and the coolness of the night does not benefit the fruits.

Retail outlets must be equipped with special floorings with a height of at least 20 cm, which is not always observed. It happens that a bunch of watermelons are dumped directly on the ground or asphalt, and this is absolutely unacceptable.

Such collapses are especially dangerous near highways. Most often, batches of watermelons rejected by sanitary inspection are sold there. In addition, exhaust gases, dust and dirt from the road are easily absorbed through microcracks in the peel and accumulate in the pulp. We can completely forget about the presence of any accompanying documents; it is unlikely that they will show them to us in such places.

However, you can safely buy a watermelon if we see that the street trading point is properly equipped:

• located away from the roadway;
• covered with a canopy or awning;
• has a flooring and side walls;
• The product is supplied with the necessary documentation.

Signs of a ripe watermelon

When choosing a ripe fruit, you need to pay attention to the size, color, condition of the skin, sound, tail, side spot, which can tell buyers a lot.

Important! Experts recommend buying watermelons in late summer and early autumn to avoid the risk of purchasing berries saturated with nitrates.

Determining in the garden

The main signs that the fruit is ripe:

• the stalk and nearby tendrils with leaves have dried out;
• the fetus has stopped growing and increasing in size;
• the peel has a characteristic shine;
• When you hit a watermelon with your palm, a dull sound appears.

Determine before purchase

There are several recommendations for determining berries for ripeness, which are as follows:

• the peel should have a glossy shine without signs of damage;
• a spot on the peel of a light yellow color indicates that the fruit has ripened for the allotted time and is quite suitable for consumption, in contrast to a white spot, which indicates that the berry was picked unripe;
• When you tap a ripe watermelon, you should hear a dull sound;
• if you squeeze a ripe fruit, you should hear a crackling sound;
• It is better to give preference to medium-sized berries.

Video: How to choose a ripe watermelon

Signs of ripeness of a cut fruit

Watermelon grown in your own garden can be eaten without fear. Most gardeners try to grow an environmentally friendly product without using chemicals to feed and accelerate fruit growth.

But no one is immune from purchasing a product loaded with nitrates. Red flesh does not always indicate ripeness.

Let's cut the fruit. A naturally ripened watermelon can be recognized by its uniformly colored pinkish flesh with a porous structure. The veins inside it should be white, the seeds should be the same color.

If the veins have a yellowish or purple tint, the seeds are light and soft - the fruit contains a large amount of nitrates. You can verify this by throwing a piece of pulp into water. If the water turns pink, it is better not to eat the watermelon.

Growing watermelon is not easy. Getting a good harvest will require a lot of time and effort. But the sweet, juicy fruit will compensate for all the efforts. To avoid mistakes when harvesting, just carefully read all the recommendations. Having applied them in practice, you won’t have to be upset about unripe berries picked ahead of time.

Storage periods and features

Just like any other vegetables or fruits, watermelons have the following preservation requirements:

• It is recommended to store early varieties not for long - up to 10 days;
• late-ripening varieties are stored for up to 2 months;
• must be kept in a dark, dry, ventilated and cool room at a temperature of +3 to +5 ° C and air humidity in the range of 65–85%;
• Periodically check, turn over and throw away spoiled fruits.

Did you know? This berry contains lycopene, a substance that reduces the risk of lung, stomach and prostate cancer.
As you can see, choosing a ripe and sweet watermelon does not require much difficulty or special knowledge. The main thing is to adhere to the above recommendations, which will help you make the right choice.

Where is the best place to buy these fruits?

It is highly not recommended to buy striped berries near roadways, because melons and melons very quickly absorb pollutants from the external environment. Therefore, it is better to buy juicy fruits in stores and tents that are specially equipped for this. In such tents, the fruits should be on special floorings located at least 15-20 cm above the ground.

This is necessary to prevent germs, dust and dirt from getting on the fruits. Also, tents should be equipped with awnings that protect the berries from the bright sun. Ideally, of course, it is better to buy watermelons in tents located near the fields where they were grown.

Caring for melons

Gardeners are often afraid to water this crop. However, without watering, the fruits will not grow juicy and large. They just don't have enough moisture. They need watering throughout the growth period. A young plant that does not yet have strong roots should be well watered. Until the watermelon has lashes and they bloom, you need to water every day.

When the ground is covered with leaves, water as the soil layer dries. When the watermelons begin to bloom, begin watering once a week, 8 liters per bush. Water the plant with warm water, preferably in the evening. Pour at the very root so that the leaves do not get wet. After watering, it is necessary to loosen the soil, otherwise it will become covered with a crust through which air will not pass to the roots.

When the watermelon reaches weight and begins to fill, stop watering.

Cultivation of watermelons requires the use of:

• organic fertilizers;
• mineral fertilizers.

Organic can be of animal or plant origin. The composition contains microelements and vitamins. Animal fertilizers include mullein and bird (chicken) droppings. It is used in its rotted form. Dilute with water 1:15 and water the watermelons. You can make an herbal solution from any herbs and water, alternating.

The herbal solution kills harmful destructive microflora in the soil. Wood ash added to solutions will make the fruits sweeter.

Mineral fertilizers are divided:

• simple fertilizers, with one element;
• complex fertilizers, from several.

From simple fertilizers - superphosphate (50 g), calcium chloride (30 g) and ammonium nitrate (15 g) - diluted in water (10 l). And they water the watermelons with it. Among the complex fertilizers, Novalon can be distinguished. Feeding is carried out three times a season. Ten days after transplantation or after germination, during the period of rapid flowering and when the ovaries begin to form.

You should monitor the appearance of the plant and, if necessary, add additional fertilizing.

Proper care also includes timely trimming of lashes. If watermelons are grown in a closed greenhouse, this need not be done. It is known that fruits almost always grow on the main stem, and secondary side shoots should be removed immediately so that they do not draw strength from the plant.

Four ovaries are left on each bush, maximum six, for individual varieties. Five leaves are left on each shoot, the rest are removed. After the ovaries appear, they begin to process the lashes. The upper part of the vine is pinched, leaving several leaves above the fruit.

Every week you should inspect the plants and remove excess side stems, otherwise the fruit will not have enough nutrients to ripen.

How does a watermelon grow?

Watermelon grows (photos are presented in the article for informational purposes) according to the following stages:

1. Emergence of seedlings. The growth cone and density of the bush increases.
2. 1 true leaf. The growth cone is divided into rudimentary and leaf internodes. The buds of lateral shoots appear in the leaf axils.

   
   The table describes all the stages of how a watermelon grows.

3. 5-6 leaves. Flower tubercles, rudimentary tubercles of carpels and stamens appear, and flowers are formed with the determination of their sexual structure. The buds of male flowers and the organs of female flowers develop. The stage of flowering of male flowers and growth of organs of female inflorescences.
4. Bloom. The seed chamber is formed and the female inflorescences bloom. Fertilization and growth of the ovaries occurs.
5. Aging. Seeds appear that accumulate nutrients. Fruits are formed.

The best varieties of watermelons of domestic selection

If previously it was impossible to imagine that watermelons could be grown in the middle zone, now this crop can be found among summer residents very often. Today, more than 50 domestic varieties are known. They differ from each other in different taste qualities and ripening time. There is no universal variety that would be suitable for all climatic zones. They share:

1. early varieties. 60 days. Suitable for medium climate zones.
2. mid-early varieties. 60 – 80 days. They will require greenhouses.
3. late varieties. More than a hundred days. For the southern regions.

Let's look at the most popular varieties:

Astrakhan variety . Ripens in 97 – 105 days. Ripe fruits are round. They grow up to 8 kg. The pulp is sweet. Good taste. Handles transportation.

Chill . 85 – 97 days. Very popular. The mature fruit has an elongated spherical shape. The peel is medium in thickness. Reaches 25 kg. The pulp is pinkish-red, very juicy. Transportable and stored for a long time.

Ogonyok . Early ripening variety. Grown by summer residents, does not tolerate transportation. Weighing only 2 kg, the skin is thin, the flesh is tasty.

Couch potato . Ripens in 75 – 90 days. Light green color with the same stripes. Weight 5 kg, the skin is very thin. The pulp is low density, pinkish-red, the taste is pleasant. Transportable and stores very well.

Ataman . Ripens in 66 – 86 days. Round shape, weight 4 - 10 kg. Red flesh. High resistance to disease.

Sugar baby . Ripens in 75 – 85 days. A ripe watermelon is dark green, round, weighing 4 kg. The flesh is bright in color.

Volzhanin . Sweet taste. Light green, weight up to 16 kg. Red flesh. 80 – 85 days. Drought-resistant watermelon variety.

Growing square watermelons

Square watermelons have only one significant advantage, namely: such watermelons are convenient for storage and transportation. Most often, gardeners who want something exotic go for this. And if there are not many watermelons, then there is little point in growing a square watermelon.

Growing technology

:

1. Square watermelons are grown in transparent plastic containers with holes for ventilation. Their volume should be slightly larger than the intended fruit itself. By the way
   , such cubes are made collapsible, and always have a hole for escape (3 - 4 cm).
2. When the watermelon becomes like an apple, it is placed in a cube. This way you can grow watermelons of any configuration.
3. Standard care.

How to prepare the soil?

Watermelon grows (the photo will tell you how to prepare a plot of soil) mainly on the southeastern or southern side of the garden, protected from the wind. There should be no close occurrence of groundwater. The beds can be made at a height of 15 cm and with a slope to the south, so that the soil layer warms up better and water drains normally.

To cultivate a plant, the soil mixture must have a neutral reaction and a light structure. A sandy or sandy loam soil layer is suitable for this.

When preparing the soil cover, you should adhere to the following recommendations:

• If there is a lot of fertilizer, the green mass will begin to grow actively, and a lot of nitrates will accumulate in the pulp.
• Per 1 m2 you need to add 20 g of potassium, 30 g of superphosphate and urea or ammonium nitrate in a similar volume.
• It is imperative to adjust the acidity of the soil layer. Acidified soil will have a lot of aluminum with manganese and iron. For this reason, the crop will be stunted and die due to toxicity. Salty soil is deficient in copper, zinc, phosphorus with manganese, iron and boron. As a result, the fruits begin to crack and rot. To improve acidity, add chalk, crushed eggshells or 500 g of ash.
• With the onset of the autumn season, it is advisable to dig up the ground, adding rotted manure. To prevent moisture evaporation in the spring, from March to April, pre-sowing harrowing can be done. If mass planting is planned, it is recommended to carry out deep three-fold loosening.
• It is necessary to select normal predecessors, grow green manure and fertilize the soil layer with manure with the onset of autumn. If this procedure is performed in the spring, a lot of mole crickets will appear.