Content
Despite the huge number of species, the Turkmenka melon is especially loved by summer residents. This culture is distinguished by its amazing taste and aroma. It is possible to grow a good harvest of melons not only in the southern strip. Fulfilling certain agrotechnical rules, it is quite possible to get a ripe Turkmen woman's harvest even in Siberia.
Description of Turkmenka melon
Melon Turkmenka is not a separate variety, but a whole group of pumpkin species. This term is used for melons grown in the region of the same name. When fully ripe, a Turkmen woman is rarely large. However, her characteristics are excellent:
- sweet taste;
- juicy pulp;
- aroma of freshness.
In addition, the Turkmenka melon is valued for its good resistance to low temperatures. When the variety is ripe, the characteristic rind on the mesh darkens, turns brown and visually pushes inward.
Varieties of Turkmen melons
It should be noted that "Turkmenskaya" is a large group of varieties, uniting about 400 names. It is subdivided into 4 main sections, each of which differs in terms of maturation:
- Early maturing or early maturing. The growing season of this subgroup of Turkmen women lasts 60-70 days. Famous representatives are Mazy, Ternek, Zamcha. They are distinguished by high juiciness, delicate taste and persistent aroma. Sugar content in the range of 10-15%.
- Mid-season - the second subgroup, characterized by a longer ripening period of 75-95 days. It includes varieties Mesek and Vakharman. Their flesh is denser, slightly crunchy, juicy and sweeter than that of early ripe melons of Turkmen women. Sugar content from 15% to 18%. Most often used by chefs for drying.
- Mid late - the third subgroup with a ripening period from 95 to 105 days. The most famous of them are Garry-Gyz and Payandaki. They differ even more dense and sweet pulp, even a little viscous. The fruits of the late Turkmenka are well stored, used for drying, canning, and making melon honey. Sugar content 18% or more. They are considered universal varieties. They tolerate transportation well, therefore they are sold fresh in different regions.
- Late ripening - the fourth subgroup of giant melons. The main representatives are Aktash and Almagulaba. They reach enormous sizes, the growing season is from 100 to 120 days. One ripe Turkmenka melon weighs 15-20 kg. Feature - no strong flavor saturation, very high density of the pulp, resistance to low temperatures. The varieties of the subgroup are grown even in Siberia.
How to choose a melon Turkmenka
You need to choose a ripe fruit with knowledge of the matter. There are certain signs of good quality melon that should be present in the selected specimen:
- Smell. Ripe melon Turkmenka has a delicate pleasant aroma. If there is no smell when buying, you do not need to take it. The fruit will be savory and unsweetened.
- Sound. When tapped with a palm, a ripe Turkmenka melon makes a dull sound. If the fruit is immature, the buyer will hear a clap.
- Peel condition. It should not be soft and squeezed. It is best to choose a melon with a firm skin.
- Color. The peel of a ripe Turkmenka melon is colored in a rich yellow color without dark spots or greenish halos.
- Ponytail state. It must be dry.
Additionally, you can ask the seller to choose a good copy, and then test it according to the listed criteria.
Growing up a Turkmen woman
The Turkmen woman belongs to the late varieties of melon. Due to the long growing season in the middle lane and the northern region, the crop can only be grown by seedlings. It is very convenient to use a collapsible greenhouse on the garden bed, which is removed after the end of return frosts.
There is a trellis method for growing Turkmenka melon, in which the plants are tied to the frame. In this state, the fruits are well illuminated by the sun. But most often the plants are grown in the plant, spreading the lashes on the ground.
Seedling preparation
You can grow a Turkmen woman in the middle lane in a seedling way. This technique allows you to shorten the growing season and get ripe fruit. There are several rules that vegetable growers need to adhere to in order for the seedlings to grow strong:
- Do not violate the sowing date of Turkmenka. For the middle lane, the optimal time is mid-March or the end of April, depending on climatic conditions.
- Choose your seeds wisely. We need high-quality seeds of Turkmenka, which have lasted for 2-3 years, even if they are hybrid varieties.
- Take a high-quality soil mixture. You can use ready-made pumpkin primer, which is sold in a specialty store. If you cook yourself, you will need to prepare a mixture of river sand (10 kg), peat (9 kg), humus (10 kg) and wood ash (200 g).
- Choose a suitable container. Plastic containers or peat pots with drainage holes are best. Melon Turkmenka does not tolerate transplanting well, it is better to take immediately containers with a diameter of at least 10 cm. A container from which seedlings can be obtained with a lump of earth will be ideal.
Embed the seeds (2 pcs. Per 1 cup) by 1.5 cm. Moisten, cover the container with foil. After the emergence of melons, place them in the light, water every other day.
The temperature is maintained at + 20-25 ° С during the day and + 18-20 ° С at night.
The first feeding of Turkmenka seedlings is carried out in phase 2 of these leaves with complex fertilizer, then repeat in the same composition after 2 weeks.
Be sure to start hardening melon seedlings 2-3 weeks before planting.
Selection and preparation of the landing site
For the garden, you should choose an open sunny area, but protected from the wind. Melon grows well on the southern slopes.
The Turkmen woman prefers soil with neutral acidity. It reacts worst of all to acidification and high soil moisture. Before planting, you should "deacidify" the soil if the neutrality does not correspond to the required one.
In the fall, it is necessary to dig up the area with the simultaneous introduction of humus or compost with the addition of superphosphate.
Landing rules
As soon as 5-7 leaves are formed on the seedlings of Turkmenka, it is time to plant the seedlings in the ground. You must first moisten the containers with seedlings so that they can be removed well. Prepare wells in advance at a distance of 55 cm from each other.
Plants need to be transplanted together with a clod of earth, then immediately watered with settled water. Until the sprouts take root, they will have to be watered with heated water. Do not deepen the root collar, otherwise the Turkmen woman will be susceptible to fungal infections.
The date of disembarkation is assigned at a time when the night temperature in the region does not drop below + 14 ° C. After transplanting, Turkmenka seedlings are shaded for 2-3 days.
To increase the yield of the Turkmen woman, pinch the main shoot over 4 leaves. The grown 2 lateral shoots are spread on the ground and pinned.
Watering and feeding
Melon loves regular watering, but waterlogging leads to decay of the root system. Therefore, when watering, you should monitor the condition of the soil.
Liquid organic fertilizers and mineral complexes are used for feeding Turkmenka melons. For a more effective result, it is recommended to alternate them. The first time you should feed the plants 2 weeks after planting, then during the formation of side shoots and before the appearance of buds. At the same time, it is important to adhere to the rules for making fertilizing for garden crops. Particular attention should be paid to the amount of nitrogen components. If you overdose them, then there will be an increase in the growing season of the melon, a delay in fruiting.
Formation
In the open field, the formation of the Turkmenka melon is carried out by pinching the apical buds of the lashes. If the procedure is performed correctly, nutrients from the roots begin to flow not into the lash, but directly into the fetus. Melons grow larger and sweeter. Of course, subject to the schedule of watering and fertilizing.
Harvesting
The time of collection of Turkmenka melon is determined by the further purpose of the fruit. For fresh consumption, fully ripe specimens are needed. If there is a short transportation or storage, then the melons are selected 2 days before full ripening. Late-ripening varieties are subject to long-term storage, which are harvested at the stage of technical ripeness. Such melons are already fully formed, but at least another week should pass before full maturity. Any green or overripe fruit is not good for storage. Melon ripeness is determined by:
- Intense aroma. Ripe fruit has a persistent melon odor.
- Peel changes. If the variety is distinguished by the presence of a mesh on the peel, then it acquires a clear expression and a darker color, visually, as it were, pressed inward. When the variety is without a mesh on the peel, the ripeness is determined by the rich yellow color of the fruit.
- Ease of separation from the stalk. At the moment of maturity of the fruit, the stalk begins to dry out.
Melons are harvested in stages and selectively. Fruits do not ripen at the same time, therefore, ripe fruits are gradually removed with an interval of 5-6 days.
You need to pick the fruits with a stalk 4-5 cm long. Harvesting is better to schedule in the morning or evening. It is important that there is no active sun.
Spread the plucked Turkmenka fruits on the ridges and leave in the sun for 10-14 days, turning after 5-6 hours.
Diseases and pests
Plantings of Turkmen women are exposed to infections of any etymology - viral, bacterial, fungal. The source is seed, infested soil, carrier plants or insects. The main preventive measures will be:
- Careful adherence to the requirements of agricultural technology.
- Presowing preparation of planting material.
- Compliance with the schedule of preventive treatments with antifungal drugs.
- Keeping ridges clean - cleaning weeds, weeding, loosening.
- Removal of affected plants.
- Inspection of plants for the initial detection of diseases.
The main pests of melons are toy, spider mite, wireworm.
The spread can be prevented by observing crop rotation, removing weeds, prophylactic spraying of plants with fungicides and insecticides.
Conclusion
Melon Turkmenka with a small investment of time gives a good harvest in almost any region. Using the tips for growing, you can please your family with a fragrant juicy melon grown on your own plot.
