Features of growing and caring for watermelon Top Gun

Characteristics and description of the variety

Watermelon Top Gun belongs to the Crimson Sweet type. It was obtained by Dutch breeders. The berries ripen early - 58–62 days pass from planting seedlings to ripening the fruits. Plants develop a highly developed root system, extending 1 m deep into the soil.

The leaves are large and cover the fruits from sunlight, preventing burns and overheating. The pumpkin flowers are large. There can be 1–2 of them on one plant. The average weight of each is 8–10 kg. Individual fruits, when grown in optimal conditions and with quality care, can reach 16 kg.

The fruits are round-cuboid in shape. The rind is strong, which allows watermelons to be easily transported over long distances and stored for a long time. The flesh of pumpkins is bright red, juicy, sugary, and crispy. There are few seeds, they are small in size. The sugar level is 11–12%.

• When growing plants of the variety in question, gardeners note the following positive qualities:
• early maturation;
• high productivity - 70–80 t/ha;
• resistance to anthracnose and fusarium;
• attractive appearance of fruits;
• good transportability.

Did you know? The fact that watermelons were grown back in the days of Ancient Egypt is evidenced by the fact that their remains were found in the tombs of the pharaohs. The berries were buried with the bodies as a source of food in the afterlife.

The main disadvantage of the hybrid is the inability to propagate it with your own seeds. Top Gun is suitable for growing in open beds and protected ground. Its fruits can be consumed fresh or fermented. You can make juice and jam from them.

Reviews

Why do gardeners love Top Gun watermelon? Let's study several reviews and find out if everyone was satisfied with the harvest.

Vladimir, Rostov-on-Don: “Watermelon Top Gun pleases with large and beautiful fruits. I grow for myself and for sale. The pulp is appetizing, red and sugary. The hybrid does not get sick, I fertilize it with ash and yeast. I rate the productivity as a solid A.”

Galina, Perm: “I planted a Top Gun watermelon for the first time in a greenhouse. In March, I prepared the seedlings and cared for them according to all the rules. But the hybrid did not take root on the site; the fruits set slowly. I only picked 3 watermelons from the garden, I was expecting a lot more.”

Evgeniy, Ufa: “Top Gun is an excellent, tasty hybrid. I use the pulp to make desserts: I add it to ice cream and make milkshakes. I recommend for landing."

Secrets of agricultural technology for getting a good harvest

In order for the harvest to be successful, it is necessary to purchase high-quality seeds and choose a location that meets the requirements of the plant.

Seed quality

Since Top Gun is a hybrid, its seeds must be purchased only in a specialized store. Some manufacturers indicate on the packaging that the seeds do not need preparation before planting.

If such information is not available, then to speed up germination they must be soaked in warm water heated to +50...+55°C for 1 hour. To disinfect, they are placed in a solution of potassium permanganate for 30 minutes or treated with the Tiram fungicide.

Soil composition and structure

Watermelons grow well in fertilized sandy loam and sandy soils with neutral or low acidity levels.

The soil must be prepared in the fall. It needs to be dug up and manure added as fertilizer. In the spring you need to harrow. To improve the quality of the soil, before planting a watermelon, it is sown with peas, winter wheat, and lupine. These plants saturate the earth with useful substances.

Important! Clayey, frequently flooded, acidified and poorly heated areas are not suitable for growing watermelons.

Temperature and light conditions

Since watermelon is a heat- and light-loving crop, it should be planted when the soil warms up to +12...+15°C at a depth of 9 cm. At a lower temperature, the sprouts will germinate later and will be weak. The air temperature should be set at +15°C. During the growing season, plants should receive a total temperature of 2000 to 3000°C.

Seedlings are grown at a temperature of +23...+27°C. When shoots appear, lower it to +18...+22°C. Seedlings are planted in a heated greenhouse in mid-May, in an unheated greenhouse - when the outside temperature reaches +20...+25°C.

Harvesting and application

A ripe watermelon becomes glossy and stops growing. When tapped, a ringing sound is heard, one side of the fruit acquires a yellow tint, and the stalk dries out.

The hybrid is harvested in mid-August. The fruits are wiped with a dry cloth and stored in a dark place, for example, in a cellar or basement.

Jelly and jam, sorbets and juices are made from watermelon. The juicy pulp goes well with ham, cheese, olives, and shrimp. The fruits are used to make fruit baskets and are used for fruit salads and snacks.

Watermelon harmoniously combines with the taste of melon, banana, raspberries and other fruits and berries.

Interesting ! In Japan, cube- or heart-shaped watermelons are grown. To do this, during the growing process, the fruits are placed in special containers, and the watermelon gradually takes on its shape.

Watermelon growing technology

Hybrid Top Gun is capable of producing high yields both in the greenhouse and in open areas. The main tasks of a gardener are to choose a good site and follow the planting technology.

In the greenhouse

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How to grow watermelons in a greenhouse? A greenhouse for growing watermelons must be large and at least 2 m high. The humidity in it must be maintained at 60–70%.

The soil is prepared in the fall - it is fertilized with manure and mowed grass. To make it loose and light, add 1 bucket of sand per 1 m².

For planting in a greenhouse, a 70x70 cm pattern is recommended. The seeds need to be buried in the soil to a depth of 3–6 cm. Sowing is done manually. If seedlings are planted, then 2 sprouts are placed in one hole.

A trellis must be built in the greenhouse, which is necessary to ensure that all organs of the plant receive light evenly, and also to ensure that the fruits do not touch the soil. Watermelons lying on greenhouse soil may be affected by rot. If the greenhouse is large enough, then watermelons can be grown next to other crops, in particular melons, bell peppers, and tomatoes.

Outdoors

A well-lit area for planting watermelons should be allocated, which is illuminated by sunlight most of the day. At the same time, it must be sheltered from northern winds. If melons are kept in the shade for a long time, the fruits grow less sugary and ripen later.

When choosing a planting site, take into account the rules of crop rotation. This is necessary in order to obtain consistently high yields and prevent the spread of pathogens and harmful insects.

Did you know? On the Japanese island of Hokkaido, watermelons are grown with black rinds, making them the most expensive in the world. In 2008, one watermelon was sold at auction for 6,300 thousand dollars. The average price for one unusual pumpkin is $250.

It is better to select beds for watermelon where winter wheat, perennials, corn, root vegetables, onions, and cabbage previously grew. You should not plant this crop after melons, including any type of watermelon. This can be done only after 3–4 years.

In open beds, the hybrid is planted according to a 140×100 cm pattern. Planting depth is 3–6 cm. In heavy soils, it needs to be reduced. In open beds, seeds are sown manually or using special seeders. The first time of planting is covered with film.

If the soil temperature during planting is +16...+18°C, then seedlings should be expected after 1.5–2 weeks. At higher temperatures they will appear in a week.

Find out more about how to properly plant a watermelon at home.

Advantages and disadvantages of a hybrid

Among the advantages are resistance to diseases and pests, immunity to cold. Top Gun is grown in greenhouses, hotbeds or open ground. Top Gun is universal in use, suitable for fresh consumption and for preparing desserts, salads and snacks.

It is distinguished by consistently high yield, tasty pulp and attractive appearance.

The disadvantage is that hybrid seeds can only be purchased in specialized stores for gardeners.

Subtleties of care

Caring for watermelon in open beds consists of regular watering, fertilization, loosening and mulching of rows, preventive treatments against diseases and harmful insects.

Watering

Watermelon does not tolerate either waterlogging or lack of moisture. Before flowering, the plant is watered as the top soil layer dries completely. During the period of flowering and formation of ovaries, carry out 1 watering per week. The optimal level of soil moisture during this period is 85%.

During the fruiting period, watering is done infrequently, and their volume is significantly reduced. They are stopped completely 2 weeks before harvest. If the summer is rainy, the beds are covered with film to prevent waterlogging.

Feeding

In order for the yield to be high and the fruits to be of high quality, the plants must be fertilized. It is important to create a feeding schedule.

When compiling, you can use the following recommendations:

Important! The use of fertilizers can increase yields by 2 times and increase the amount of sugar in fruits by 2–5%.

Loosening the soil and mulching

For melon crops, it is important to carry out such procedures as loosening, weeding and mulching the soil. It is necessary to loosen the soil one day after each watering or precipitation. This measure allows you to avoid the formation of a dense crust on the soil surface and improve its moisture and air permeability qualities. Loosening should be done shallowly so as not to damage the root system.

Since the plant organs are located on the ground, it is important that weeds do not shade them, so it is worth keeping the soil clean and weeding in a timely manner. Mulching is necessary to retain moisture in the soil and curb the growth of weeds. Straw, mowed grass, and peat are used as mulch.

Disease and pest control

If the recommendations during planting are followed, high-quality care and preventive measures are taken, the gardener most likely will not have to deal with diseases and pests on the site.

If this cannot be avoided, treatment should be started in a timely manner, since diseases and parasites can significantly reduce the amount of harvest and lead to its damage.

The greatest danger to Top Gun watermelons are the following diseases:

1. Mosaic. Symptoms of the disease are light spots on the leaves, swelling on the pumpkins. The disease, like any viral disease, cannot be treated. You can only prevent infection of watermelons by timely destruction of weeds and heat treatment of seeds before planting.

2. Powdery mildew. Infection is indicated by a white coating on the leaves, resembling flour in appearance. If a disease is detected, the damaged organs should be removed and burned, and the plant should be treated with a suspension of karatan (25%).

3. Root rot. Frequent causes of root rot are waterlogging of the soil and temperature changes. To prevent infection, you should follow a moderate watering regime, periodically sprinkle the rows with wood ash and treat with Fundazol (0.1%).
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4. Gray rot. Grows in high humidity and cold temperatures. Treatment should be carried out by spraying with the following mixtures: zinc sulfate (1 g) + urea (10 g) + copper sulfate (2 g) + 10 l of water; crushed chalk + copper sulfate solution in a ratio of 2:1.

The following insects most often harm watermelons:

1. Wireworm. This insect damages the root system. To prevent it from entering the site, it is necessary to control weeds in a timely manner. Treatments with Topaz, Strobi, and Tilt will help save plants.

2. Spider mite. During hot and dry periods, watermelon beds are attacked by spider mites. These sucking insects feed on plant sap and live on the lower leaf blade. Their presence can be indicated by the presence of cobwebs on terrestrial organs. If there are few pests, you can first remove the affected leaves and burn them. In case of mass damage, it is necessary to treat with the drug “Fundazol”, colloidal sulfur.

3. Aphid. More often, watermelons are attacked by black aphids. It settles on the lower leaf plate and sucks juices from plants. The first symptoms of infection are curling of leaves, leaf fall, and falling flowers. If you notice the appearance of a small number of insects in time, they can be washed off with soapy water, sprinkled with wood ash or an ash-tobacco mixture. In case of severe infection, treatment with Inta-Vir is required (1 tablet per 10 l of water, 1.5 l / 10 m²).

4. Sprout fly. The insect is especially dangerous for newly planted seedlings and seeds. Can cause enormous damage to the root system and sprouts. To get rid of flies, they are treated with insecticides three times. Zenkor and Hurricane Forte are suitable.

Schedule for applying fertilizing and mineral fertilizers

Nitrogen-phosphorus fertilizers are applied already 7 days after the appearance of the first shoots.

The next feeding is carried out before planting in a permanent place. Ammonium, potash and superphosphate fertilizers are used here.

The same minerals are used for the next feeding when the ovaries on the vines have formed.

Subject to simple conditions and proper care, it is quite possible to get an unprecedented Top Gun harvest.

What are the benefits of Top Gun watermelon and how is it cultivated?

Watermelon is a heat-loving crop. This berry is actively grown by farmers living in countries with hot climates. However, watermelons are also often planted in Russia. The plant gives a good harvest.

True, a lot depends on planting technology, soil fertilization, and watering. The variety also has an influence. Among all the varieties, Top Gun is quite popular. Positive reviews about Top Gun F1 watermelon indicate a number of advantages.

The article will tell you why Top Gun is so popular and what the growing technology is.

Characteristics of watermelon

Top Gun is an early hybrid. The Top Gun watermelon grows to a medium size. Description of the fruit: a ripe berry weighs about 16 kilograms. The shape of the fruit is round and beautiful. The seeds are medium in size. The texture of the pulp is crispy. The ripening period is 60-65 days. The taste of the fruit is very sweet and juicy. They are usually grown under film or in open ground.

Numerous positive reviews about Top Gun watermelon indicate the following advantages:

1. High yield. Up to 20 kilograms of fruit are usually harvested from each bush.
2. Resistance to fungal diseases.
3. Excellent taste.
4. Suitable for transportation over long distances (watermelon can also be stored in the cellar until winter).
5. Easy to grow.

Today, many land owners decide to grow Top Gun watermelons, but this is not an easy task.

Here you need to understand how watermelons form in open ground, how to plant the crop, how and when to water and fertilize the plant.

But not everyone has the opportunity to grow. In this case, lovers of tasty berries have to buy it at the market. To do this, it is important to know how to choose Top Gun watermelon so that it is fresh and does not contain nitrates.

This is what a quality watermelon looks like:

• Size. It is better to give preference to medium-sized berries. Too large ones grow as a result of applying excessive amounts of fertilizer. But too small ones will most likely be unripe. If the produce is ripe, it will be relatively light.
• Peel color. Watermelon Top Gun is dark green with lighter stripes. The structure of the skin is thin and smooth. There should be no cracks in the peel. It is usually glossy and free of plaque.
• Tail. The stalk of a good watermelon is dried out and yellowish. Completely dried out indicates long-term storage and long transportation. It is better not to take berries without a stalk.
• Pulp. It is red or scarlet. A high-quality cut watermelon should not contain yellow or white veins. This is a clear sign of the presence of nitrates.

What are the benefits of watermelon top gun?

Let's consider whether Top Gun watermelon is useful and whether it harms the figure. This fruit consists almost entirely of water. Contains vitamins B, PP and C. Contains beta-carotene and folic acid. The product is rich in carbohydrates, sodium, iron, potassium and fiber.

Watermelon has the following effects on the body:

1. Improves intestinal motility.
2. Gives a diuretic effect. Therefore it helps with swelling. It is recommended for use for certain cardiovascular diseases.
3. Reduces cholesterol levels.

Numerous reviews about Top Gun watermelon can be read on the Internet. This berry contains about 7.55 grams of carbohydrates. The daily intake, according to nutritionists, should not exceed 2.5 kilograms.

The calorie content of the product is about 40 kcal per 100 grams.

How to grow Top Gun?

Let's look at how to properly grow watermelons in open ground to get a rich harvest. First you need to purchase Top Gun seeds. Fertile soil is poured into the pots and moistened. The seeds are buried there a few centimeters. Cover the container with film and place it in a warm place where the temperature does not drop below +20 degrees.

As soon as the sprouts appear, the containers with the seedlings are transferred for several days to a cooler place, where the temperature is within +18 degrees. Don't forget about regular watering. A week after the first shoots, the plant is fed with phosphorus and nitrogen fertilizer.

At the end of May - beginning of June, Top Gun seedlings are planted in open ground. Ideally, the soil is sandy loam or sandy, enriched with humus and organic matter. Before planting, experts recommend adding superphosphate, ammonium and potassium substances. Place the seedlings at meter intervals. After planting, mulch the bed with sand and protect the plant from sunlight.

It is important to organize proper watering. Typically, drip irrigation systems are used for this. Before the first flower appears, watering should be moderate, and with the appearance of ovaries - more abundant. The optimal soil moisture level is 85%.

You will also need to draw up a feeding schedule. A week after planting in the ground, watermelons are fertilized with a solution prepared based on superphosphate, potassium salts and ammonium sulfate. With the appearance of the ovaries, they are fed a second time with the same composition. Care also involves removing weeds, protecting the plant from frost, and fighting diseases and insect pests.

Popularity Top Gun

Thus, the Top Gun variety of watermelon is very popular among domestic farmers. It belongs to a hybrid form with early fruit ripening. I loved Top Gun for its high yield and ease of care. You can also view the article: How and when to plant watermelon seedlings?

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