Watermelon inside with yellow pulp: the best varieties and growing features

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Published: 06/28/2020

Yellow watermelons are similar in rind color, size and shape to red ones, but they differ in the color of their pulp, aromatic properties and taste.

Lunar variety

• 1 The appearance of yellow-fruited varieties
• 2 Differences between a yellow-fruited watermelon and a red one
• 3 Characteristics of yellow watermelons
• 4 Rating of the best varieties of watermelons with yellow flesh
• 5 Rules for choosing a yellow watermelon
• 6 Features of growing yellow watermelon seedlings
• 7 Transplanting yellow watermelon seedlings into open ground
• 8 Care of plantings in open ground
• 9 Harvest
• 10 Growing yellow watermelons in a greenhouse
• 11 Growing yellow watermelons in the middle zone in open ground (varieties)
• 12 Useful properties
• 13 Harm and contraindications

Differences between yellow and red watermelon

The distinctive features of yellow and red berries are shown in the table below.

Signs of nitrate watermelon

It is not recommended to choose large fruits . This means that the plant is oversaturated with fertilizers. If in doubt, you should ask the seller for a conclusion from the SES (sanitary and epidemiological service). Products offered for sale must be tested.

After purchasing, carefully examine the pulp. If it is whitish in color or has yellow or white streaks (less often, light spots), as well as cavities, then the nitrite content in the berry is definitely exceeded. Another sign of nitrate is pale and small bones. In ripe berries they should be brown.

If the inside of the watermelon is yellowish, it may also mean that it is simply not ripe . In this case, you should not eat it, since unripe fruits can cause an eating disorder. There is no point in leaving such a watermelon in the hope that it will “arrive.” These berries can only ripen on melon fields.

Characteristics of yellow watermelons

Watermelons are heat-loving, so the weight of the fruit in the southern regions can reach 10 kg, while within the northern latitudes this figure is 3-5 kg.

150 g of berry pulp contains on average: 6.2 g of carbohydrates (glucose and fructose); 1 g fiber; 0.6 g proteins; 0.1 g fat; and the energy value is 38 kcal. Micro- and macroelements include Ca, K, Mg, Fe, Na and P.

It has been established that when consuming 1 slice, a person receives 17% of the daily requirement of retinol and 21% of ascorbic acid. The minimum amount of lipids and the complete absence of cholesterol make it possible to include yellow watermelon in diets for weight loss, as well as in the diet of patients with excess weight and atherosclerosis. It should be noted that the flavor of the berries can vary and be reminiscent of citrus, mango or pumpkin.

The beneficial properties of the fruit are as follows:

• strengthening the immune system due to the presence of vitamin C;
• diuretic effect (the effect can be used in the treatment of patients with renal pathologies);
• stimulation of intestinal motility due to the presence of fiber;
• improved vision due to the presence of vitamin A;
• strengthening of nail plates, hair and bones due to increased concentration of Ca; beneficial effect on the heart, blood vessels and hematopoiesis due to the increased content of Fe, Mg, and K;
• activation of metabolic processes due to the presence of carotenoids in the pulp.

The combination of micro- and macroelements, as well as vitamins, allows the fruit to be used in the treatment of certain endocrine diseases.

Unique composition and properties

But what the berry is truly rich in is vitamins A, group B and ascorbic acid (vitamin C). In addition, it contains iron and potassium, glucose, magnesium and sodium, as well as carotenoids necessary for the normal course of intercellular metabolism.

Yellow watermelon has a pleasant, but not as sweet and pronounced taste as its red counterpart. Its regular use has the most beneficial effect on the heart and blood vessels, the gastrointestinal tract and the entire body as a whole.

Rating of the best varieties of watermelons with yellow flesh

The varieties that have gained the most recognition are presented below.

Description of culture

Until the berries are cut, a watermelon with yellow flesh cannot be distinguished from a regular one. It may have a round or cylindrical shape. The color of the peel varies from light green to emerald, with black stripes. Inside, the color of the watermelon pulp has a rich lemon tint.

The remaining characteristics of the plant coincide with the parameters of ordinary watermelons:

• the lashes reach a length of 3-5 m;
• openwork foliage, green, with a white coating;
• seeds are brown or black;
• berry weight up to 7 kg.

The plant is thermophilic, but manages to produce a crop in a temperate climate.

Origin of yellow watermelon

Breeders obtained the unusual berry by crossing an ordinary red watermelon with a wild African plant. Uncultivated watermelons are not only scarlet, but also yellow and even white. But at the same time they are small in size and do not have good taste.

Features of selection

As a result of many years of selection, a hybrid was obtained that combines the sweetness and impressive size of the red watermelon, and the unusual shade of the pulp of the yellow parent. The first harvest was obtained in the Mediterranean countries.

Interesting. The yellow berry is especially popular in Asian countries, as the golden or yellow color is considered a symbol of prosperity.

Growing regions

Hybrid plants are popular in Asian countries, southern Europe and Africa. Industrial plantations of yellow berries can be found in South America, Mexico, and the southern United States.

In our country the culture is not yet widespread. Watermelon with a yellow interior is grown by amateur gardeners; farmers have not given the plant their attention.

Composition and taste

The chemical composition of the product allows us to consider watermelon a dietary product and recommend it for daily consumption. Average content of vitamins and other substances per 100 g of product:

• carbohydrates 6-8 g;
• proteins 0.5-0.7 g;
• fats 0.15 g;
• water 90-93 g;
• sugar 6.2-7 g;
• beta-carotene 300 mcg;
• vitamin A 29 mcg;
• vitamin C 8.4 g;
• potassium 110 mg;
• sodium 16 mg;
• magnesium 13 mg;
• iron 1 g.

Calorie content of 100 g of pulp is 27-32 kcal.

Watermelon with yellow flesh contains slightly more sugar than red berries. The taste, depending on the variety, may include notes of tropical fruits (mango, citrus, pineapple).

See also: Feeding watermelons in greenhouses and open ground

Differences from red watermelon

The main differences are the color of the pulp and its taste. The red berry has a pronounced watermelon taste, without any foreign aftertaste.

Benefits and contraindications for use

All varieties of watermelon are recommended to be consumed for obesity and metabolic disorders. The juicy sweet pulp perfectly quenches thirst and helps remove toxins from the body. Regular consumption of watermelon improves skin condition and strengthens blood vessels.

Expert opinion

Stanislav Pavlovich

Gardener with 17 years of experience and our expert

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Important! Watermelon with yellow flesh is not an allergen.

People suffering from diabetes, kidney failure, or kidney stones should not eat berries uncontrollably.

Rules for choosing a yellow watermelon

Practice shows that it is better to select watermelons weighing 5-7 kg. The fruits are elongated and flattened.

Flattened fruits have sweeter flesh and fewer seeds. The ripeness of a watermelon will be indicated by a dried yellow tail and a ringing sound when tapped on its rind. Unripe fruits have a dull sound and a green tail.

Sometimes a “window” is cut into the watermelon rind to reveal the flesh. It is better not to buy such fruits for hygiene reasons. The presence of whitish-yellowish veins is a sign of increased nitrate content.

Read the article on how to grow a watermelon.

Yellowness in the pulp of red watermelons

Often, in an ordinary green berry, the flesh may be yellowish or orange. Most often, a watermelon with yellowness inside indicates that it is unripe or contains an unacceptable amount of nitrates.

To increase yields and accelerate plant growth, unscrupulous gardeners flood fields with nitrogen fertilizers, the elements of which accumulate in the fruits. Once in the human body, they can cause severe poisoning.

Sometimes on the shelves there are watermelons with an unusual yellow rind. This is by no means a sign of an abundance of nitrates. Most likely, this is a rare variety of yellow watermelon with red flesh.

Features of growing yellow watermelon seedlings

Sowing seeds for cultivating seedlings is carried out at the end of March - early April, if transplantation into open ground is planned for mid-May.

The initial stage includes preparation:

• peat pots or other disposable dishes (or cassettes) with a capacity of 0.25-0.3 liters, equipped with drainage holes;
• soil, which must include river sand, humus and peat in equal proportions (suitable soil for planting can be purchased at a garden store);
• seeds, which are soaked for 1-2 hours at a temperature of +50 °C, after which they are placed in a KMnO4 solution for 1-1.5 hours; At the end of the preparatory procedures, the seeds are washed and dried.

When starting sowing, the container of the pot should be filled 2/3 with prepared soil, then irrigated and added 2 grains, sprinkled 2 cm deep and also moistened. It is recommended to add 1 grain to each subsection of the cassettes. Subsequently, the container is placed in a warm and bright room and covered with film until germination.

After the sprouts appear, watering with small portions of water is done every second day along the edges of the container. When a crust forms in the substrate, it is recommended to carefully loosen it.

Since watermelon is a light-loving plant, it is necessary to take care of artificial lighting. In this case, the duration of “daylight hours” should not be less than 12 hours. The optimal temperature regime for seedlings is +18...+22 °C, and it is recommended to adhere to it. After 3 leaves appear on the seedling, you can begin feeding, paying attention to manure and mineral fertilizers.

Many gardeners pay close attention to the hardening procedure, which is carried out 2-3 days before planting seedlings. Its essence boils down to a slight decrease in temperature, a decrease in the number of waterings and an increase in the frequency of ventilation. It is believed that hardening increases the crop's resistance to drought and lower temperatures, and also stimulates root growth.

Transplanting yellow watermelon seedlings into open ground

Seedlings can be transplanted after 3.5-4 weeks, after they have formed 2-3 leaves. The best soils for melons are sandy or sandy loam, and suitable areas should be well lit. The soil should be loosened and moistened before planting. It is recommended to replant with an earthen ball to avoid possible damage to the roots.

The distance between plants should be ≈80 cm. After transplanting, the seedlings must be watered. The approximate time it takes for a plant to adapt to new conditions is 1 week.

Care of plantings in open ground

Growing yellow watermelons requires following simple recommendations:

The first few nights of being outdoors require covering the plants with film at night.

In the first days, watering must be done every second day, then twice a week. In this case, the volume of water per 1 m2 should vary between 30-35 liters.

Approximately 10 days after planting in the ground, the plants need to be fed. For 1 m2 you will need 10-15 kg of humus and 20-25 kg of phosphorus-potassium fertilizers (other feeding options are also possible). With the appearance of ovaries, it is recommended to pay increased attention to phosphorus and potassium.

Excess nitrogen is harmful to yellow-fruited watermelons.

To improve gas exchange, the soil should be loosened, especially on the eve of flowering.

Practice shows that the berries reach their maximum size if you save 2-3 emerging watermelons by pinching the vine 3 leaves behind them.

For prevention purposes, it is recommended to use fungicides (Ridomil Gold or Quadris).

Plants can also be affected by downy mildew, anthracnose and melon black aphids. In these cases, the following drugs come to the aid of the gardener: Oxychoma, Bordeaux mixture, bleach suspension, Inta-Vir and Aktara.

Popular varieties

Breeders have developed several varieties of yellowish watermelon that can be grown in the southern regions. What varieties of melons with yellow flesh are there:

1. Prince Hamlet is a berry that was bred by breeders from Russia. The peel is green in color with light green stripes. The pulp tastes like pineapple. The growing season is up to 75 days.
2. Golden Grace - the fruit was bred by breeders from Holland. The maximum weight is 8 kilograms. It is resistant to frost.
3. Lunar is the most common variety in Russia. The ripening period of fruits ranges from 70 to 80 days. Some note that the pulp has a mango and lemon flavor.

There are not many varieties of yellow berries in Russia. They can be grown successfully only in the south or, at least, in the central regions.

Harvesting

Preparation for harvesting fruits includes control over their ripening and a set of measures aimed at preserving them. In order to prevent rotting, plywood should be placed under each berry that is gaining weight, and the frequency of watering should be reduced. 2 weeks after the watermelons stop gaining weight, you can start harvesting them.

Indirect signs of maturity are:

• white or white-yellow crust in places where the fruit comes into contact with the ground;
• dry tail and glossy rind color;
• ringing sound when tapped.

These signs must be given due attention, since after cutting the watermelon is not able to ripen.

The collected fruits are placed bottom down and stored at +10...+15 °C with a relative air humidity of 85-90%.

Harm and contraindications

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Eating yellow watermelons is no less beneficial than red ones, but they also have a number of contraindications.

• You should not eat too much watermelon as this can lead to intestinal problems.
• Not recommended for people with diabetes.
• May harm people with kidney failure, as it puts a lot of stress on the kidneys.
• If you are individually intolerant to the product, its consumption should be stopped.

Growing yellow watermelons in a greenhouse

Melons should be tied vertically, placing the fruits in nets. Maintain the growth of 1 stem by removing the side shoots at the first 6 internodes and pinching off the remaining leaves after the 4th. After the formation of 3-4 small watermelons, pinch the main vine, leaving 4-5 leaves after the last fruit and removing all non-fruiting shoots. At the same time, you should not forget to regularly ventilate the greenhouse, controlling the indoor temperature and humidity.

The “Gift of the Sun” variety, created specifically for greenhouses, has proven itself well. Suitable for both spreading and trellis growing. The bush is compact, early ripening with graceful carved leaves with yellow petioles and veins. One plant produces 2-3 berries weighing 2.5-3.5 kg. But this is not a yellow watermelon, its skin is bright yellow, like a melon, and the flesh is red, juicy, sweet, with a small amount of seeds. From the moment of pollination until the ripeness phase is reached, no more than 4 weeks pass.

Reviews from those who planted

Maria (Volgograd): planted the Lunny variety in her dacha. I didn’t bother with the seedlings; I planted the seeds immediately in a warm bed at the end of May. I collected my first watermelons in mid-August. They were small, 1.5 kg each, but very tasty and sweet.

Igor (Samara): I allocated a part of the greenhouse for watermelon, where I planted 4 plants of the Golden Gray variety. I left 3 ovaries on each bush and removed the rest. I tied the whips to the trellis. The first fruit was picked in mid-July; it weighed 4 kg. The taste is sweet, but I didn't notice any tropical fruit flavor. In total I harvested 29 kg! The plants did not get sick.

Alexander (Stavropol): I grow watermelons in an open garden bed by direct sowing of seeds. I tested 2 varieties of yellow watermelon: Golden Gray and Prince Hamlet. The latter pleased me with its very sweet taste and juicy pulp. Golden Gray was inferior in sweetness, but formed fruits weighing 6-7 kg. I was pleased with the varieties, and for variety I will plant these watermelons.

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WatermelonBeneficial properties of watermelon for the human body

Growing yellow watermelons in the middle zone in open ground (varieties)

The most popular varieties for cultivation in the middle zone are the Miracle Berry, King of the Desert, Lunar, and Orange Honey varieties. The fruits themselves are not very large - 2-3 kg, but they have a wonderful taste. In addition, they are moderately affected by powdery mildew and are relatively resistant to anthracnose.

When cultivating watermelons, the main vines should be directed so as to prevent them from intertwining. The side ones must be pinched after 4-5 leaves. After the start of flowering, in the absence of insects, female flowers are recommended to be pollinated artificially. After fruit formation begins, planks should be placed under young watermelons to prevent rotting.

What other watermelons with unusual flesh color have appeared in recent years?

In 2022, the orange-fleshed watermelon “Orange King” was included in the state register of breeding achievements approved for use. “Its advantage is in completely different organic substances and taste sensations. The orange pulp is very tender and juicy. It has a sweet and sour taste, which red watermelons practically do not have. Such watermelons grow up to 10-12 kg,” said Sergei Sokolov, who took part in the creation of this variety.

According to the expert, consumers are gradually getting used to the unusual colors of watermelon pulp. And breeders continue to surprise them. For example, not long ago a hybrid appeared called “Moon Princess”, in which the main part of the pulp is pink, and around the seeds is yellow. “People have a prejudice from Soviet times that if there is something yellow in a watermelon, it means nitrates or diseases. Therefore, some are still wary of two-colored pulp. But many have already become accustomed to exotic colors and continue to look for new gastronomic sensations,” says Sokolov.

Beneficial features

Watermelons have a diuretic effect, increase the intensity of metabolic processes, have a positive effect on the visual analyzer, help reduce the concentration of blood cholesterol, and have a beneficial effect on blood vessels and the heart. In addition, the low calorie content - 38 kcal/100 g - makes it possible to prescribe yellow-fruited watermelons in diets for weight loss.