Story
The creation of the Crimson Sweet variety began in the middle of the last century, when world-famous scientist Charles W. Hall was just beginning his career at Kansas Research University.
Work to improve the properties of the new variety lasted more than ten years. In the early 60s of the 20th century, Crimson Sweet was presented to the general public, and a year later it received the All-America Selections award. Such popularity immediately aroused genuine interest among farm owners, and after some time the new berry became the most sold on the American market.
A few decades later, the variety was brought to Europe, where it is widespread to this day.
Rules of care
Crimson Crisp is well adapted and has genetic immunity, so it does not require special care and attention after the age of 5-7 years . However, there are some features that are useful to consider when growing an apple tree.
Expert opinion
Chernyaeva Tatyana Dmitrievna
Absolutely loves gardening and grows only organic vegetables
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The Crimson Crisp apple tree does not respond well to moisture deficiency in the soil.
Rules for caring for an apple tree:
- watering is carried out as needed and without fail in dry and hot weather;
- so that the earth does not dry out so quickly, the tree trunk circle is covered with mulch;
- Twice a year it is useful to apply complex mineral fertilizers, ready-made or prepared independently;
- the size of the apples depends on the load on the tree; to make the fruits larger, excess ovaries are cut off;
- the tree trunk circle is periodically dug in and foliage and weeds in it are removed as necessary;
in the first 2-3 years, pruning is not carried out; subsequently, only branches that begin to grow too low or shade other branches are removed;- pruning is carried out with caution, cutting off only those branches that become competitors to the trunk;
- lateral branches filling the crown are left in the amount of 30-50 pieces, depending on the growth and age of the tree;
- it is advisable to trim only the tips of the branches, leaving the central part where fruit formation occurs;
- To protect against severe frosts, the apple tree is insulated in late autumn before the onset of cold weather.
The Crimson Crisp apple tree is characterized by the formation of long shoots reaching 70 cm . There should be no more than 30 of them on young trees, the rest should be removed. If you do not do this in the spring, you will have to prune in the summer, otherwise the crown will be too thick.
Appearance
The height of the plant when tied to a trellis is approximately one and a half meters. With good care, the weight of a ripe berry can reach 10-12 kg, but in most cases there are fruits weighing up to 5 kg. The shape of the fruit is oval or round. The peel is thin or medium thick, glossy with light stripes. Peel color: light green.
The dense pulp has a rich red color with a raspberry tint. Watermelon is characterized by the absence of veins and a small number of seeds.
Hybrid Crimson Ruby
The variety of early-ripening, high-yielding watermelon is distributed by the Japanese (“Sakata”). The watermelon Crimson Ruby f1 has been included in the State Register since 2010 as a crop for cultivation in the North Caucasus region, recommended for commercial production. The variety is noted for the powerful growth of the main vine and leaves, which shelter the fruits from the rays of the scorching sun. Up to 5.5 thousand Crimson Ruby plants can be placed on a hectare, in increments of 1.5 - 0.7 m, the yield is 3.9-4.8 kg/m2. The variety is drought-resistant, not susceptible to fusarium, and is immune to powdery mildew, anthracnose and such a common pest as aphids. The fruit will ripen after 65-80 days of plant development; the weight of Crimson Ruby f1 watermelons reaches 7-12 kg.
The peel of the oval fruit is dense and can withstand transportation. The fruit is dark green with characteristic light blurry stripes. Watermelons are very tasty, they have a bright dessert aroma and a high level of sugar content: 4-7%. The granular, veinless, homogeneous pulp comes in different shades - pink or deep red.
There are not too many seeds in the pulp of the Crimson Ruby watermelon; they are medium in size and brown. Seeds are available for sale from several distributors. For large areas, you need to buy seeds in a protective original package.
Advantages and disadvantages
Pros:
- excellent taste;
- large fruit sizes;
- good yield;
- a small number of seeds;
- drought resistance;
- possibility of storage and transportation over long distances;
- resistance to anthracnose;
- adaptation to any climate zone;
- early maturation.
Minuses:
- sensitivity of plant roots to temperature fluctuations;
- loss of taste due to excess moisture;
- slow growth on soils dominated by peat and chernozem;
- susceptibility to Fusarium wilt.
Growing
"Crimson Sweet" can be planted as seedlings or seeds in open ground. In regions with warm, dry weather, direct sowing to a permanent location is carried out in May.
In the center and west of Russia, watermelons are most often grown by seedlings. Growing seedlings has its advantages - it hardens the plants and earlier harvesting.
It is recommended to prepare a site for watermelons in the fall. Places with plenty of sunlight that are not shaded by shrubs or trees are suitable for this. The soil should be neutral, loose, with a predominance of sand. The land should first be cleared of weeds, dug up, and organic fertilizers applied.
7 days before planting watermelons, you will need to apply mineral fertilizers, as well as digging, loosening and watering.
Agricultural technology
This melon crop thrives on sandy loam soils, but does not grow and bear fruit well on peat and chernozem soils (they have too much moisture for this berry). If the soil on the site is not sandy, you will have to prepare a separate place for the watermelon, into which a large amount of river sand is brought.
If the acidity level is increased, then the soil is treated with lime
It is better to prepare a site for planting melons and melons in the fall. At the same time, you need to check its acidity (watermelon “loves” neutral or slightly alkaline soil). If necessary, liming is carried out during digging in the autumn to reduce the acidity level. Also in the fall, all the mineral fertilizers necessary for this crop are applied during digging;
The best predecessors for watermelon are any types of cabbage, peas, beans, and soybeans. Ideally, watermelon beds should change their location every season.
In warm regions, seeds of this variety are planted directly in open ground; the time for such planting is in the first or second ten days of May. But in cooler regions, experts recommend first growing seedlings at home, which are subsequently planted in a prepared area. In this case, the seedlings endure the acclimatization period faster, begin to grow and form ovaries faster. As a result, you can harvest the harvest half a month earlier than from bushes planted with seeds in open ground.
It is better to buy seeds in specialized stores from well-known companies. When purchasing, you should pay attention to the shelf life of the seeds - their age should be at least three and no more than 5 years. The seeds of the first two years will produce weak bushes and may not germinate well. And old seeds almost always have poor germination.
Planting watermelon seeds of this variety does not differ from planting seed material of other melon crops. When caring for these watermelons, you need to follow the watering regime: add moisture only during the period of flowering and the appearance of ovaries. After the fruits begin to ripen, watering is stopped.
Weeds need to be pulled out; mulching after watering may not be necessary. You can feed watermelons twice a season: a couple of weeks after transplanting the seedlings to a permanent place and during the period of active formation of ovaries.
Mulching
Germination of seeds
Seed germination occurs 1-1.5 months before planting in the ground. To sow seeds, it is necessary to prepare a soil mixture and containers for seedlings (the width of the container should be 10 cm or more). You can purchase a ready-made substrate in the store or prepare it yourself from 2 parts turf soil, 1 part peat and 1 part sand.
Sowing seeds occurs as follows:
- the container is filled 2/3 with the prepared composition;
- the soil is moistened using a sprayer;
- small indentations are formed with an ordinary pencil (maximum depth - 1.5 cm);
- seeds are placed in holes (no more than 2 seeds in one container);
- the holes are lightly sprinkled with earth and compacted;
- the soil is repeatedly sprayed with water;
- containers are covered with film and placed in a warm place.
The film should be opened 2 times a day so that the seeds receive oxygen and mold does not form on the soil. When sprouts appear, the film is removed, and the seedlings are sent to a warm, well-lit place.
Expert opinion
Kuznetsov Sergey Ivanovich
Expert on melons and melons
In order for new roots to form, a little soil should be periodically poured into the container as the seedlings grow. A week after the formation of sprouts, fertilizing - mineral fertilizers - is applied. After the appearance of 3 true leaves, the seedlings can be planted in a permanent place.
Preparatory work
In cool climates, seeds are grown indoors as seedlings no earlier than a month before planting in the ground. Peat pots or peat tablets can be used for this. The plants are also provided with a comfortable climate.
Site selection and preparation
Watermelons need a lot of space, so plant them where there is at least 2 m of open space per plant. For a watermelon whose lashes are 2–2.4 m long, the distance to the neighbor should be about 2.5–3 m. The area must be illuminated by the sun all day long. Watermelons consume a lot of nutrients, so they need fertile soil. Compost or humus is added to it when planting. Farmers also add fertilizers containing a large proportion of nitrogen to enhance the growing season.
Seed preparation
When planting seeds, it is recommended to use pre-sprouted ones. Before germination, seeds can be treated against phytopathogens and with a growth stimulant. Spores of pathogenic fungi are not visible to the naked eye. But they can manifest themselves after planting, so the seeds are soaked in warm water (+50°C) for 20 minutes. Hot water is harmful to spores.
The rate of germination of watermelon seeds is affected by temperature. The higher the temperature, the faster the seeds germinate. The same effect can be obtained by heating the seeds under a table lamp. But if you are not a supporter of “home methods,” then you can use antibacterial drugs. For example, "Fitosporin". Its activity is caused by the bacterium Bacillus subtilis. Once in the soil, the bacterium suppresses the development of pathogenic microflora, which has a positive effect on both the quality of the soil and the development of the plant.
is also practiced . With the help of the drug "Zircon" you can both stimulate growth and take care of improving the watermelon's resistance to possible diseases. Remember that any medications must be used in strict accordance with their instructions.
Planting seedlings in a greenhouse
The depth of the holes for planting should be from 10 to 15 cm, the distance between seedlings should be 70 cm, and the spacing between rows should be 80 cm.
Water is poured into the container with the seedlings so that the plant can be easily removed from the container along with the soil. Each shoot, together with a lump of earth, is placed in a hole, sprinkled with soil and the soil is lightly beaten down. The beds are watered with warm water, 2 liters per bush. The main task when growing watermelons in a greenhouse is maintaining optimal temperature and humidity levels.
Description of the watermelon variety
Crimson Sweet is a variety bred in 1963 and received its name (literally “Raspberry Sweet”) because of its especially sweet and tender pulp.
The original seeds are distributed in Europe through. The variety turned out to be so successful that other varieties and hybrids were bred on its basis: the Crimson Wonder variety and the Crimson Ruby F1 hybrid.
Distinctive features
One of the most important distinguishing features of the variety is its early ripening. It takes 70-80 days from sowing to harvest.
Reference! The early ripening of fruits is explained by the fact that in such plants the flowers are visible already on the 4-6th leaf. In varieties of later ripening, flowers are visible only from the 12th or even 15th leaf.
The variety prefers a warm climate, in which it will grow well and produce an excellent harvest even without seedlings. However, Crimson Sweet can be grown in less suitable cool climate conditions. In this case, you should grow watermelons in a greenhouse.
Composition, properties, benefits, calorie content
Watermelon is not only sweet and excellent taste, but also beneficial. The juicy pulp of the fruit contains:
- vitamins A, E, group B, as well as PP, D, C;
- folic acid;
- riboflavin;
- thiamine;
- pyridoxine;
- zinc;
- potassium;
- iron;
- calcium;
- copper;
- carotene.
These beneficial substances help improve metabolic processes in the body, cleanse the bile ducts, and prevent the formation of kidney stones due to the pronounced diuretic property of the berry.
Reference. Watermelon is a low-calorie product. It contains only 30 calories per 100 g of pulp. This is a great dessert for those who are watching their figure, but cannot deny themselves sweets.
Characteristics
The berries grow round, slightly elongated. The peel of the fruit is dense and smooth, has a characteristic striped pattern: light green stripes on a dark green background.
Attention! If the entire range of agrotechnical measures is followed, the fruit grows weighing from 5 to 12 kg.
Crimson Sweet shows excellent productivity: up to 10 kg of berries are harvested from 1 m² of land. Each seedling is capable of producing 3-4 large watermelons.
Watermelon fully lives up to its name. Hidden inside the berry is dense and juicy pulp, which has a rich red, appetizing color and an equally rich taste. There are almost no transverse veins in the structure of the pulp. Watermelon tastes like sugar and honey, deliciously aromatic.
Seeds of watermelon
Watermelon seeds, like the pulp, have a number of useful properties:
- They have a lot of protein - 100 g of dried seeds contain about 28 g.
- A high content of arginine is an amino acid that normalizes blood pressure, reduces the risk of coronary heart disease, and has a positive effect on the male reproductive system.
- The amino acids contained in the seeds (lysine, tryptophan and glutamic acid) have a beneficial effect on mental abilities, maintaining a high level of concentration and reducing fatigue from overexertion.
- Watermelon contains a lot of magnesium, zinc, manganese, copper and iron that are beneficial for the nervous system.
- The presence of antioxidants that protect cells from free radicals.
Watermelon seeds are high in calories: 557 kcal per 100 g of dry product.
Transplanting seedlings into the ground
Approximately 20 days after the sprouts appear, the seedlings can be transplanted into open ground when the soil temperature is +15 C°.
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Step-by-step instruction:
- form holes 10 cm deep. The distance between bushes should be at least 1.5 m, between rows - from 1 to 1.5 m;
- water the holes;
- place the seedlings together with the earthen ball in the holes;
- Sprinkle with soil, compact lightly and water well.
Conditions for good growth
After the fifth leaf appears on the plants, it is necessary to hill up and loosen the soil.
Work should be done carefully so as not to touch the roots of the seedlings. It is also worth paying due attention to removing weeds that interfere with the full growth of watermelons. “Crimson Sweet” forms quite long lashes during growth, so it is better to place the shoots vertically, by tying them to a support. But since growing in open ground involves placing plants on the soil surface, a spacious area will be required.
Fertilizer
During the growth process, the plant is fertilized 2 times: 14 days after planting in the ground and another 2 weeks - during the formation of ovaries.
First feeding:
- 1 cup mullein
- 10 liters of water
Each bush is watered with 1 liter of solution at the root.
Second feeding:
- 20 g ammonium nitrate;
- 10 liters of water
Pour 2 liters of solution into each well.
It is worth considering that an excess of nitrogen-containing fertilizers can negatively affect the taste of fruits.
Watering and humidity
During active development, plants are watered twice a week with plenty of water (at least three buckets per 1 m²).
It is better to water watermelons in the morning and evening, distributing the daily amount of water over 2 times. Morning watering is important to cool the plant, and evening watering is important for deep nutrition of the roots. When leaves grow, the frequency of watering should be reduced and irrigation should be carried out depending on the drying of the soil. During the flowering period, it is recommended to water watermelons no more than once a week. No watering is required during fruit formation and ripening.
Optimal soil moisture is from 75% to 80% of the lowest moisture capacity.
Air humidity: from 50% to 60%.
Temperature
- During the period of growing seedlings, the air temperature should be from +25 C° to +30 C°. When the first shoots appear, the optimal temperature is +20 C°.
- Soil temperature when planting a plant in a permanent place: +15 C°.
- The optimal temperature for the full development of the plant: from +22 C° to + 26 C°.
When the air temperature drops to + 10 C°, it is recommended to use an agrofibre shelter.
Watermelon seeds Crimson Sweet
From the moment the first seedlings appear until the ripe berries are harvested, 3-3.5 months pass, so Crimson Sweet is classified as an early ripening watermelon.
Important! Watermelon Crimson Sweet can be grown in many regions of our country, but in short summer conditions it is better to plant it in closed ground or under film so that the fruits have time to ripen.
Depending on climatic conditions, this melon plant is planted in open ground in the second or third decade of May. If the climate is cool and the watermelon is first grown by seedlings at home, the seeds should be sown on the basis that seedlings are planted in open ground 3-3.5 weeks after sowing.
Ripe fruits are harvested in the last ten days of August - the first ten days of September. The yield is high, and the berries ripen well even with irregular moisture.
The shape of ripe berries is oblong, but more often round watermelons grow on the vines. The peel is smooth to the touch, matte in color, dark emerald green, along which there are longitudinal stripes of light green color. With proper care, fruits can weigh from 6 to 12.5 kg.
The pulp of this berry is dense, juicy, and sweet. Ripe fruits have bright red flesh. There are practically no transverse veins in its structure, and there are also no seeds (or their rudiments are found). When such a fruit is cut, the peel bursts, and the pulp emits a honey smell, which indicates the excellent taste of the ripe berry.
Interesting! The color of the pulp changes as the berries ripen: at first it is whitish, gradually turning pink, and only in a completely ripe fruit it becomes rich red, almost ruby.
The plant is characterized by resistance to diseases and pests. The variety is resistant to most diseases that affect pumpkin melons, both their vegetative part and ripening fruits.
Due to its excellent commercial qualities and high yield, many melon growers grow Crimson Sweet for sale. Moreover, the harvested harvest of this melon crop can be transported over any distance, without the peel of the fruit cracking, the appearance and excellent taste not deteriorating. The harvested crop can be stored for a long period of time.
There are two ways to grow the pumpkin family: prepare seedlings or plant seeds directly into the ground. The first option has a number of advantages, because in the early stages of growth the plant is prepared for the soil and the ambient temperature level. Using seedlings of early varieties as opposed to sowing directly into the ground, fruit ripening is accelerated by 10-15 days and the possibility of ripening on the vine increases. Another advantage of the seedling method is the increase in the plant’s immunity to pests and diseases.
Seedling
It is best to start sowing the Crimson Sweet variety in early May. When preparing seedlings, such indicators as planting depth, soil composition and density are important. It is best to use soil mixed with sand, this will make the soil looser, and place the seed at a depth of no more than 1 cm.
During the growth period of seedlings of this sweet variety, you should monitor the temperature. For Crimson Sweet this figure varies from 25 to 30 degrees. If the heat is not enough, you can use additional lamps.
As soon as the first shoots appear, the temperature needs to be reduced. But it is better to do this gradually, reaching 18 degrees in 10 days.
If you want to get the highest degree of productivity, you can harden off the seedlings. The procedure is easy, but very effective. 2 weeks before planting in the ground, you need to break the temperature regime and first open the door to the room with the seedlings, and then take them outside. Initially for 1-1.5 hours, increasing this figure to 5 hours.
When the first two leaves are formed, you can buy a product that stops the pulling. This will slow down the growth of the leaves and direct all the plant’s forces to strengthening the root system.
After 4 weeks, the seedlings are ready for planting in open ground (25-28 days). It is advisable to plant Crimson Sweet watermelon in soil heated to 15 degrees, 10-12 centimeters deep. To check, use special soil thermometers. Depending on the climate zone and the specific year, the timing will vary, but most often it is the end of May.
To ensure that the “babies” take root well, before planting, spray or treat them with a preparation that improves adaptation to the soil. Which one to choose depends on your personal preferences; the range is wide.
When planting watermelons in a field, the space makes it possible not to save space and use a 2.1 by 2.1 m scheme. The density norm is ten thousand plants in 1 hectare. In such conditions, the Crimson Sweet watermelon variety can produce a yield of 60-70 tons per hectare. This indicator will also depend on care, weather, humidity and climate temperatures.
If you want to grow sweet, juicy berries in your dacha, you can create space for it in the following way: maintain a distance of 1.5 m from each other. But do not let the lashes lie on the ground, but tie them vertically. Then the root system will have enough space for full development. For better results, don’t be lazy to build a greenhouse.
Take care of the film covering of plants. By planting young plants in the slots of a dense film, you will protect them from light frosts, when watering, water will flow directly into the rhizome, the vines with fruits will remain clean and, as a bonus, you will get rid of weeds.
The productivity of any plant directly depends on the quality of the seeds. Watermelon Crimson Sweet is no exception. Let's figure out which seeds are best to choose and how to prepare them for planting. Firstly, you should pay attention to the expiration date. It must be at least 3 years old and no more than 5. You can buy seeds in wholesale and retail stores or order them in an online store.
Purchased seeds should be treated with a solution of potassium permanganate. A consistency that produces a faint pink color is suitable. This will reduce the possibility of sprout disease even at the stage of seedling formation.
The variety in question is suitable for both sowing in large fields and for garden cultivation, so reviews can be obtained from various sources. The general advantages were the following:
- bright taste, sweetness;
- resistance to arid climates;
- resistance during transportation;
- high yield;
- immunity to diseases common among the pumpkin family.
There were also negative reviews. As a rule, they are caused by errors in cultivation. The main ones:
- Watery taste. It depends on the amount of watering of the watermelon. It should be carried out only during the growing season, when the fruit is formed, watering should be stopped.
- Small fruits, but a riot of leaves. In this case, the error is in excessive fertilization with organic matter. They contribute to the riot of greenery, depriving the plant of the strength to develop the fruit. The size of a properly grown Crimson Sweet berry is 8-12 kg.
- A small amount of fruit. It is not typical for this variety, but can occur if watermelons are planted in the same place for many years in a row and in the shade. This plant needs light.
If you follow the basic rules of cultivation, you will get maximum yield from this variety and pleasure from its bright taste!
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Watermelon variety Crimson Sweet is a common type of sugar berry. Its ripening time from the moment of planting in the ground is fixed at 70-80 days. These are the indicators that indicate early maturation.
Watermelon variety Crimson Sweet gives early harvests
The crop is planted in May, and the ripe fruits begin to be collected in late August - early September. The yield of the variety is quite good. Fruits even in very dry climates.
The appearance of the berry is oblong in shape, but in most cases it grows to a rounded size. The watermelon rind is smooth, matte, dark green with light green stripes. If the watermelon grew in favorable conditions, then its weight can vary from 5 kg to 12 kg.
The inner pulp is dense. When ripe it takes on a deep red color. There are practically no transverse veins in the structure of the berry. Cutting into a ripe watermelon, its aroma and bursting sides speak for themselves - the taste is excellent, honey.
Watermelon is highly resistant to various diseases, which is why it is highly valued for planting for sale. Transports well. Can be stored for a long period of time.
This variety of watermelon was bred in France through breeding work. At the moment, many countries around the world are planting it.
Crimson Sweet watermelons grow in any place, but prefer a sunny and well-ventilated place
This species can grow in any territory. If the area has a cool climate, it is recommended to plant seedlings in greenhouse conditions or under special shelter. Otherwise, you may not get the desired result within the expected time frame.
Southern regions are more suitable for planting in open ground. In such conditions, you can do without planting seedlings, but immediately plant the seeds in soil prepared in advance.
- Resistance to dry weather - grows and develops well in the absence of constant watering;
- Good transportability - can be transported over long distances, while neither the internal contents nor the outer shell are subject to changes;
- Vivid external characteristics, taste qualities - the high sugar content inside the pulp distinguishes the variety favorably among many similar representatives of the family;
- High productivity - about 10 thousand fruit bushes are planted per 1 hectare of land, each of which bears at least 3-4 large fruits;
- Not susceptible to various kinds of diseases.
Pests and diseases
Despite the variety's resistance to many diseases, if improperly cared for or grown in regions with high humidity, some diseases may develop.
Powdery mildew
Symptoms: white spots on leaves, shoots and small fruits. Over time, the disease causes the plant to dry out.
Treatment: when the first symptoms of the disease appear, the leaves and shoots should be treated with Fitosporin. A mixture of 1 part mullein, 3 parts water and 1 teaspoon of copper sulfate is also suitable. The resulting solution is sprayed on the affected plants.
Fusarium
Symptoms: the presence of dark spots at the base of the main stem, loss of elasticity and wilting of the leaves, watery stems, rotting of the roots.
Treatment: prepare a solution of 1 liter of water, 125 grams of superphosphate, 10 grams of potassium salt and 30 grams of ammonium sulfate. Treat the affected bushes with the resulting mixture. It is also recommended to apply fertilizer from a mixture of ash and chicken manure.
Root rot
Symptoms: the appearance of brown spots on stems and leaves, yellowing and wilting of the green mass, cracks in the roots of the plant.
Treatment: spraying with a 0.1% solution of the drug "Fundazol". Additionally, it is recommended to sprinkle wood ash or crushed chalk on the root part of the plant.
Bacteriosis
Symptoms: the appearance of light spots on the leaves, in place of which holes form over time; raised spots on the watermelon rind, rotting fruit pulp. The disease most often affects ripe berries.
Treatment: the disease cannot be treated. Affected areas of the plant should be removed and burned.
Harvesting and application
Determining the harvest time is not so difficult: the stem of the watermelon begins to dry out. The fruit's tendrils and leaves also dry out, signaling approaching ripeness. Another sign of ripeness is the size of the fruit: the larger it is, the more ripe the berry. A fully ripened watermelon will crack easily if scratched.
Attention! In a ripened watermelon, the rind becomes uniformly glossy and shiny. A yellow spot appears where the fruit touches the ground.
If you plan not to use the crop immediately, but to store it, collect the fruits only in dry weather.
Important! Store watermelons in a cool, dark room with high humidity. The fruits are periodically inspected, rejecting spoiled specimens.
Options for using the crop:
- fresh, treating family and friends with a delicacy;
- leave for storage for up to 2 months, observing all necessary conditions;
- pickle unripe watermelons;
- make jam from watermelon rinds.
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Pests
Sprout fly. The insect's offspring damage the stems and roots of the plant. To get rid of larvae, insecticides “Karbofos” and “Fury” are used.
Melon aphid. Insects harm the leaves and developing fruits, causing the plant to wilt and dry out. Products such as Avermectin and Actellik are used against pests.
Marbled bug. The insect attacks the fruits and leaves of the plant, resulting in their death. To destroy the marbled bug, use “Karate Zeon” and “Clipper”.
Expert advice
Expert opinion
Kuznetsov Sergey Ivanovich
Expert on melons and melons
- Before planting, it is recommended to soak the seeds in a weak solution of potassium permanganate for disinfection.
- Water the seedlings only with clean water at room temperature.
- When planting seedlings in open ground, the soil in the garden should have a loose structure and be dry. Watermelons should not be planted on rainy or cloudy days.
- After the formation of 4 fruits on the main stem, the remaining ovaries are removed. This promotes better development and nutrition of berries, and uniform growth of leaves.
- When applying fertilizers, preference should be given to natural fertilizers, without chemicals.
Questions and answers
How to properly prepare seeds for planting watermelons?
To do this, you need to choose the most “attractive” ripe watermelon, cut it and separate the seeds from the pulp. Then the planting material should be washed in cool water and dried.
How do organic fertilizers affect the growth of watermelons?
When applying organic fertilizers in excessive quantities, the plant will consist mainly of green mass: large leaves and powerful vines. In this case, the growth of fruits, on the contrary, will slow down, and the harvest will be small. Fertilizing should only be done in moderate quantities within the prescribed time frame.
When should bush formation occur?
Removal of excess ovaries occurs when the watermelon fruits have grown to the size of an apple.
When is it time to harvest?
In most areas, the fruits are harvested in mid-August. Harvest time directly depends on the climatic conditions of the region and the method of sowing.
How long do Crimson Sweet watermelons last?
In a cool place, with a temperature no higher than + 7 C°, the crop can be stored for up to three weeks.
Description and features
The Crimson Sweet variety differs from the mass of other types of watermelons in the following features:
- It is distinguished by an increased amount of sugars in the pulp;
- When planting seedlings in greenhouse conditions, the ripening time is reduced by 10-15 days;
- A well-ripened watermelon under favorable conditions ranges from 8-9 to 12 kg;
- Not susceptible to most common diseases;
- Belongs to the pumpkin genus.
Watermelon Crimson Sweet has juicy refined pulp, delicate and rich taste and a sweet aftertaste
Thus, the berries of this variety can boast of bright taste and rich tone of ripe pulp. In addition, watermelon ripens in a short time, only 80 days from the moment it is planted in open ground. The most important thing is that the variety in most cases is not afraid of harmful insects and diseases of various types.
According to the description, the Crimson Sweet variety stands out for its large oblong fruits, their matte green peel with light green stripes around the circumference. Watermelons grown in melons weigh 10-12 kg; in summer cottages and greenhouses the weight is slightly lower - from 5-8 kg.
The root system of the watermelon variety develops quickly, the seeds produce the main root and many side roots. The main stem is branched and creeping, stretches up to 5 meters. The leaves are large, triangular, and hard in texture.
Watermelon Crimson Sweet has one of the best taste qualities; its bright red flesh is juicy and harmoniously sweet.
Watch the video! Watermelon variety Crimson Sweet