Watermelon variety Ogonyok: history, description and cultivation rules

Watermelon Ogonyok is grown in different climatic zones: in the north, south and in the middle zone. The variety is easy to care for and cold-resistant, and shows stable yields. Ogonek is suitable for fresh consumption and for preparing fruit snacks. The pulp of watermelon is sweet and aromatic.

Let's take a closer look at the characteristics of the variety and learn the secrets of a rich harvest.

Story

The origin of "Ogonyok" dates back to the 13th-14th century.
The predecessor of this variety was distributed in Africa. However, the Russian version arose much later - in the middle of the 20th century. “Ogonyok” appeared as a result of crossing the “Sugar” watermelon and an Asian hybrid. The development of the new variety was carried out by employees of the Institute of Vegetable Growing from the Kharkov region. Watermelon got its name because of the bright color of the pulp, reminiscent of a light in color. Initially, it was planned to grow the “light” only in warm areas. But it turned out that the plant is able to survive even in regions with harsh conditions, for example, in Siberia.

How to prepare seeds for planting?

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Regardless of where the seeds are planted (seedlings or open ground), they need to be processed, otherwise they will take a long time to germinate. The most basic method is to soak them in water for several days so that they germinate. To do this, the seeds are laid out on a wet cotton cloth. The seeds are then wrapped and left for several days. Before planting, they need to be soaked in potassium permanganate overnight and washed in the morning.

Preparing watermelon seeds

When planting in the middle or northern zone, you also need to harden them for several days at a temperature of 0 degrees (you can use the refrigerator).

In order to get a harvest as early as possible, it is worth planting not seeds in the ground, but ready-made seedlings; they take root faster and begin to grow. Seedlings are prepared using the usual method. Seeds are sown in peat cups, covered with film, and placed in a warm place. After they hatch, they need to be opened and watered from time to time. 10 days before planting in the ground, seedlings are hardened off.

Appearance

The fruit has a smooth, spherical, dark green color with faint black stripes. The pulp is orange-red, granular with a small number of small seeds, the rind is thin. A ripe watermelon is quite small - its weight is about 3.5 kg.

As the plant grows, it acquires characteristic lashes directed in different directions. The triangular-shaped leaves are arranged alternately on the stem. The color of the inflorescences is yellow.

Harvesting and application

Early ripening Ogonyok is harvested at the end of August. The ripeness of the fruit is determined by its uniform color and dense peel. The watermelon becomes hard and the stem becomes dry.

After harvesting, the fruits are wiped with clean napkins. Part of the harvest is used immediately, part is put into the basement for long-term storage (maximum period - 1 month).

Juice, preserves, compotes and jams are made from the pulp. Watermelon is combined with lemon, melon, banana, mint and lime juice. It’s impossible to imagine a picnic or barbecue without it. The compact fruits of Ogonyok are convenient to take with you.

The sugary pulp is also used for preparing salads and side dishes. For example, they prepare an appetizer from slices of watermelon and feta cheese. The dish is seasoned with olive oil and served.

Interesting! These fruits make delicious sorbet. It contains no sugar and is refreshing in hot weather. Make a puree from the pulp of watermelon and lemon and freeze it in the freezer. For piquancy, add a few drops of rum.

Growing

“Ogonyok” feels comfortable on well-warmed, air-permeable soil. To make watermelons grow faster, a film cover is used, which protects the plant from excess humidity and rain. In clear sunny weather, the film should be removed.

Watermelon does not like weeds, so regular weeding of the beds is recommended. Pollination and flowering of this variety occurs at the end of June. If the plant is grown in a greenhouse, then artificial pollination is required, which is carried out before the ovaries form.

Full development of the plant is possible at a temperature not lower than + 25 ° C. Even a minimal deviation from the optimal indicator can stop the growth process.

Caring for watermelons

After the planted plants grow up, they are hilled up.

Advice. To form additional roots, growing lashes can be pinned at a certain distance and sprinkled with earth. This will significantly increase the plant's feeding area.

Watermelons are watered not often, but abundantly. Thanks to a tap root system that can penetrate to a depth of 1 m, these plants are considered the most drought-resistant of the cucurbits. When the fruit begins to ripen, watering is completely stopped, otherwise the pulp will be tasteless. Feed Ogonyok at the moment of lash formation with mullein and superphosphate.

In case of persistent cold weather (up to +15°C) or prolonged rains, which often happens in the middle zone, it is better to cover the melon with film. This technique will prevent plants from being damaged by diseases and will allow the ovaries to develop normally.

Gardeners speak well of the Ogonyok variety

In cloudy weather, you can “help” watermelons with pollination by picking the male flower and touching the pistils of the female flowers with its stamens.

Germination of seeds

For seedlings, smooth, undamaged seeds that are already 2 years old or more are selected. Unlike young seeds, two-year-old seeds will bear more fruit.

Germinating seeds and growing seedlings:

The seeds are treated with a weak solution of manganese, and an hour after treatment they are washed with water.

Treated seeds are placed on a damp cloth and placed in a warm place

For 5 days, the fabric with seeds is lightly watered with warm water.

After the sprouts appear, the seeds are planted to a depth of 4 cm in a container with a mixture of humus, peat and sand.

The seedlings are evenly watered with warm water

10 days after the emergence of seedlings, mineral fertilizers are applied.

The container with seedlings should be in a room with a daytime temperature of at least + 25 °C, and a nighttime temperature of + 14 °C.

A window sill is perfect for a comfortable stay for seedlings. Rapid growth of seedlings is possible only in a warm, sunny place.

Description

Watermelon Ogonyok has been represented in the State Register of Breeding Achievements for almost 60 years. It was bred at the Institute of Vegetable and Melon Growing, located in Merefa, Kharkov region. Despite the fact that during this time many new varieties and hybrids have been obtained, the Ogonyok variety does not give up its position. Reviews from gardeners speak of its early ripening and good taste, and, most importantly, excellent adaptation to growing conditions in the Russian climate. Initially, the Ogonyok watermelon variety was intended for cultivation in the Central Black Earth and North Caucasus regions, where summers are warm. At the same time, it was recommended for Eastern Siberia and the Far East. In these regions, the climate is not so clear, however, the test results for the Ogonyok watermelon were good.

Enthusiastic gardeners have expanded the list of favorable regions for growing Ogonyok melons; they collect ripe fruits in Central Russia and even further north. The following varietal features contribute to this:

• The Ogonyok variety is an early ripening variety; the first watermelons will ripen 80 days after the first shoots appear, and in hot summers a week earlier. This variety of watermelon ripens very easily; it should not be kept in the garden for too long.
• the weight of watermelons is not too large - up to 2.5 kg, such fruits are called portioned, this is an advantage, not a disadvantage: you don’t have to rack your brains over where to put the uneaten part of the sweet delicacy;
• The taste of the vegetable is very good, the sugar content is high;
• the shape of watermelons of the Ogonyok variety is round, the color of the peel is dark green, almost black with barely visible dark stripes, the color of the pulp is red-orange, it is granular, juicy, the seeds of the Ogonyok watermelon are small, dark brown in color;

Important!
Watermelon Ogonyok has a thin skin, which is good for consumption, but inconvenient for transportation. Other features of this variety include a short shelf life. Harvested watermelons must be eaten within a week and a half, otherwise they will spoil.

In order for the watermelon Ogonyok to please with its sugar content and ripen on time, you need to follow the basic rules for growing this melon crop.

Planting seedlings in a greenhouse

Planting in a greenhouse is traditionally carried out in early June. To do this, you need to first dig holes, the distance between which should be at least 1 m. The size of the holes is 0.7 x 0.7 m. Depth - 10 cm. 2 seeds are placed in each hole, then the holes are sprinkled with soil and lightly compacted, then the seedlings are watered. After planting, only 2 leaves should remain on the soil surface. In the first days after planting, the plants are covered with film.

During the daytime, it is necessary to ventilate the greenhouse. During the flowering period, it is advisable to organize natural pollination, for example, place hives with bees nearby.

Planting watermelon directly in the garden

Attention! Growing watermelons by direct sowing in a garden bed is only permissible in the southern regions. Even the earliest varieties, which include Ogonyok, do not always have time to ripen during the short summer.

When the soil warms up to a constant temperature of +10..+12°C (according to the calendar, this usually falls at the beginning of May), watermelon seeds can be sown in the ground. To do this, holes are prepared at a distance of 1.5-2 m from each other, into which 2-3 seeds are planted. After germination, the seedlings are thinned out.

Watermelon Ogonyok

To save watermelons from the scorching sun, it is better to leave large weeds in the melon plot. They will slightly shade the lashes and fruits of the plant.

Transplanting seedlings into the ground

Suitable time for planting in open ground: late May - early June. A period of 1 month should pass from the moment the sprouts appear. The main condition is stable above-zero temperatures, well-warmed soil, and a level, sunny place. "Ogonyok" grows well in light soils with neutral or slightly alkaline acidity. For the plant to grow fully, it is necessary to ensure good drainage.

The main subtleties of landing:

• the gaps between seedlings should be 1 m, the distance between rows should be up to 1.5 m;
• the holes must be prepared: add two handfuls of humus and a pinch of mineral fertilizer;
• after applying fertilizer, the holes need to be watered with two liters of warm water;
• Next, the seedlings are planted - the top leaves should remain on the surface.

How to grow a variety

Watermelon seedlings are prepared in mid-March. Let's consider what its preparation involves and how to care for the plant on the site.

Preparing seedlings

Watermelon seeds Ogonyok are purchased in specialized stores for gardeners. Pay attention to the packaging: it must be intact, with a valid expiration date.

Seeds are disinfected in one of the following ways:

• placed in the freezer for a day;
• soak in aloe juice for 5 hours;
• treated with a solution of Bordeaux mixture.

After disinfection, the seed material is germinated. It is wrapped in warm, damp gauze and placed on the windowsill. This improves seed germination and protects against possible diseases.

Sow watermelon in seedling containers: cups, flower pots, cardboard boxes. The container is filled with earth and holes are made. Place 1-2 seeds in each.

Important! For seedlings, use ready-made soil from the store. It is disinfected and does not contain larvae or weeds. It is recommended to add river sand or sawdust to the purchased soil. They will make the soil lighter and looser.

Ogonyok seedlings are placed in a warm and sunny place. The length of daylight for the healthy development of seedlings is at least 12 hours. If there is a deficiency, additional phytolamps are installed. Water the sprouts as the soil dries, fertilize once every 15 days. They are fed with liquid organic matter: mullein, herbal solution, chicken droppings.

Vegetable garden planting and care

The crop is planted in open ground after spring frosts. The Ogonyok planting pattern is 60x100, row spacing is about 1.5 m. The beds must be heated and breathable.

The planting depth is 10 cm, the sprouts are placed in the grooves and the base of the stem is sprinkled with earth. For 10 days, the bushes are covered with film to protect them from winds and rain. After this film is removed.

Important! When growing, it is important to keep the beds clean: loosen the soil, remove weeds and debris. Weeds obscure the sun, causing watermelons to lack light and heat.

Water Ogonyok once every 4-5 days. About 1.5 liters of water are consumed per bush. During the period of fruit formation, the amount of moisture is reduced, since its excess leads to growth inhibition. To increase productivity, the plant is fed with mineral and organic fertilizers: potassium chloride, manure, ammonium nitrate, ash, and nettle infusion.

Features of cultivation and possible difficulties

To grow a rich harvest in the northern regions, the Ogonyok variety is grown in a greenhouse. In cloudy and cool weather, melons are poorly pollinated, but such rooms are always warm.

The design protects watermelons from high humidity, fog and dew. Before planting, the walls and doors of the greenhouse are wiped with a solution of potassium permanganate, the ground is dug up, and cleaned of debris and weeds.

A month after planting, the plant is formed: long side shoots are removed, 2-3 central shoots are left. The top is pinched, the lashes are untangled and sprinkled with earth in several places. Formation increases productivity and protects against rot. If this is not done, many small unleavened fruits will form.

Diseases and pests

Wireworms are found in watermelon beds. It gnaws through plant roots, which disrupts metabolism. For preventive purposes, gardeners weed the beds, remove weeds and loosen the soil. They get rid of wireworms using the drug “Decis”.

Another pest is aphids. The miniature white midge lives on the leaves of plants and sucks out the nutritious juices from them. Get rid of insects by spraying with whey.

Characteristic diseases include bacteriosis . The leaves become covered with oily light spots, the bushes wither. Watermelons lose their elasticity, the taste becomes fresh and watery. Bacteriosis appears due to high humidity or improper care. For prevention purposes, the crop is sprayed with copper sulfate. For treatment, purchase “Quadris” or “Maxim”.

Important! With sudden temperature changes, watermelon is affected by root rot. The bushes dry out and the fruits spoil. Disease prevention is to dust the beds with wood ash once a week.

Conditions for good growth

Fertilizer

This variety requires three feedings a day:

1. The first feeding is carried out 10 days after planting. Ingredients: 10 liters of warm water, 30 grams of ammonium sulfate, 15 grams of potassium salts, 45 grams of superphosphate.
2. During the active development of the plant, when the ovaries are formed. Ingredients: 10 liters of warm water, 20 grams of ammonium sulfate, 35 grams of potassium salts, 10 grams of superphosphate.
3. Ten days after the second feeding, a similar mixture is added.

Watering and humidity

Despite the fact that the crop is drought-resistant, soil moisture should be at least 85%. If the plant is planted on sandy soil, regular watering is required. Areas with a predominance of chernozem and clay are watered less frequently. Watermelons must be watered with clean warm water, without touching the leaves, and at a distance of 40 cm from the root.

The frequency of irrigation in greenhouses depends on the drying of the soil. Outdoor plants do not require watering during the rainy season.

Watermelons especially need moisture during flowering and fruit formation. Abundant watering during the growing season should be carried out at least 4 times. When ripening, “Ogonyok” does not need to be watered.

Temperature

During the period of flowering and fruit formation, the air temperature should be at least + 18 °C at night, and from + 20 °C during the day. Melon crops are characterized by increased sensitivity to low temperatures, so at + 12 ° C the growth and development of plants slows down. If the temperature drops to + 10 °C, all processes temporarily stop.

Advantages and disadvantages of the variety

Analyzing the characteristics of the Ogonyok variety, we can highlight the following advantages:

• early fruit ripening;
• the ability to adapt to different climatic conditions, including sudden changes in temperature;
• resistance to anthracnose and fusarium wilt;
• the ability to withstand the absence of fertilizing and watering for a long time.

As for the disadvantages, they are:

• unsuitable for long-term transportation, since the variety has a very thin peel;
• short shelf life - only 7-10 days.

Watch a review of the watermelon variety “Ogonyok” in the video below:

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The most common diseases:

1. Powdery mildew. Characteristic signs are the appearance of yellow and white plaque on the leaves, slowing down or stopping the growth of watermelon, and rotting of the fruit. To rid the plant of the disease, you need to prepare a mixture of potassium permanganate, crushed chalk and water. The resulting paste is used to treat the affected areas.
2. Rot. The disease spreads to the root part and leads to the death of the plant. To prevent the disease, 0.1% Fundazol is used.
3. Angular spotting. Signs of the disease are the appearance of small white spots on the leaves, which gradually form holes and lead to drying out of the above-ground parts. The fruits become soft and the skin is transparent. Treatment: treatment with 65 percent Fentiuram solution. You must first get rid of all affected parts of the plant.

The main pests of melons are aphids, spider mites, wireworms and cutworms. To kill insects, chemical preparations such as Confidor, Actellik, Aktara and Decis forte are recommended.

Diseases and pests

Watermelon Ogonyok is most often affected by powdery mildew, angular or olive spot, and anthracnose. Cucumber mosaic or root rot may also appear. Control fungal diseases with fungicides such as Bordeaux mixture or Fundazol.

As for pests, aphids, cutworms and wireworms are dangerous for melon crops. Destroy them with insecticides (for example, Decis). Timely removal of weeds, periodic loosening of the soil and compliance with crop rotation also help.

Expert advice

Expert opinion

Kuznetsov Sergey Ivanovich

Expert on melons and melons

1. It is better to plant watermelons as seedlings. This way you can get larger fruits.
2. Watermelons should be planted over a large area so that the fruits do not touch.
3. It is necessary to periodically loosen the soil. The procedure should be carried out half an hour after irrigation.
4. As they ripen, it is recommended to turn the fruits over. This will ensure uniform ripening of watermelons and help avoid rotting.
5. For good plant growth, regular weeding is necessary.
6. To speed up the pollination process, apply a mixture of water with honey or sugar to the plants.
7. Good fencing is required to keep birds away. You can also make a scarecrow, or build a fountain on a neighboring plot. This way the birds will be distracted from the fruits by flocking to the water.
8. Anthills should not be allowed to form on the site, as insects can spoil the fruits.

Preparatory work

In order for the plant to begin to grow, the site must be prepared in advance. The seeds are also prepared. These measures will help avoid problems in the development of plantings in the future.

Site selection and preparation

Ideal conditions for planting watermelons:

• the area is not shaded;
• the soil is sandy or sandy loam;
• acidity about 7 pH;
• Previously, wheat, legumes, onions, cabbage, and alfalfa grew on the site.

Important! If you do not have a site with such parameters at your disposal, it is better to resort to greenhouse cultivation. In the greenhouse, you can adjust lighting, temperature and other important parameters.

The site needs to be prepared in the fall:

• dig up the soil;
• feed the soil with humus and complex mineral-based fertilizers.

Seed preparation

Prepare seeds for seedlings and for sowing in open soil before planting:

1. Pack the material according to size.
2. Soak the grains in water. Any that float can be thrown away.
3. Dry the seed and scald it with water at a temperature of +60°C.
4. Soak the seeds in a solution of potassium permanganate.
5. Wrap the grains in damp gauze. When sprouts appear, watermelons can be sown.

Questions and answers

How to check the suitability of seeds before germination or planting?

Place watermelon seeds in the saline solution. Seeds that float are unusable.

What is the best way to plant watermelon: seeds or seedlings?

Planting seedlings is the most suitable option for places with a cool climate and risk of frost.

Is it possible to water the beds with nettle infusion, and how to prepare it?

Yes. This is a natural organic fertilizer. A large bunch of nettles is poured with 10 liters of water and infused for 3 days. After time, the infusion is diluted with water in a ratio of 1/1. For each plant, 3 liters of fertilizer is enough.

How to prevent watermelon from rotting from contact with the ground?

Place foil under each fruit.

When is it time to harvest?

Characteristic signs of watermelon ripeness are a hard rind, a dry stalk, a yellow earthen spot on the surface of the fruit, and the appearance of a ringing sound when tapped. In general, harvesting depends on the location of the growing region, for example, in the Urals, watermelons are harvested in August, in Siberia - in September, and in the Moscow region - in July.

Features of cultivation in different regions

Since this watermelon has a wide growing geography, the climatic characteristics of each region should be taken into account. For example, in the Moscow region, Ogonyok can ripen both in a greenhouse and in open ground.

But in the Urals you cannot be sure of the ripening of fruits if the season turns out to be rainy and cold. Watermelons will only have time to ripen during hot summers. Therefore, in this region it is advisable to grow this melon crop in closed conditions (greenhouse).

In Siberia, grow these watermelons only in a greenhouse. The climate of the region will not allow the heat-loving culture to develop normally in the open air. In the south, there are no problems with growing Ogonyok.

Assortment of watermelon varieties for a given region

When purchasing watermelon seeds for Siberia, we focus on the growing season of 55–85 days and the characteristics “ultra-early, ultra-early, early, early.”

The old variety Ogonyok is unpretentious with small fruits (1 - 2.5 kg), as well as its modern analogues - Siberian Lights, Ultra-early. Larger varieties (3 kg or more) are poured: Shuga baby (Sugar baby), SRD 2, Silver handsome, Photon, Skorik, Sibiryak, Ultra early, Marmeladny, Siberian rose, Zeliba, Gift of the sun. You can get your own seeds from them (without allowing cross-pollination between varieties).

Disease-resistant modern F1 hybrids are growing rapidly:

• ultra-early (55 days) and medium-sized (2 kg) – Marble, Savvin vkus;
• more massive - Gift to the North, Pink Champagne, Charleston Podmoskovny, Beijing Farmer's Joy, Krimstar, Eureka, Shuga Delicata, Melania, Trophy, Ataman, Victoria;
• seedless - Majestic, Boston, Regus (for full pollination we plant seedless varieties or hybrids with them).

Slightly unripe watermelons ripen a little during storage, but do not gain full flavor.