Content
Melon cultivation in the open field was previously only available in regions with a warm climate. But, thanks to the work of breeders, the southern fruit became available for cultivation in Siberia, the Urals, in the Moscow region and central Russia. To get a generous harvest, you need to choose a variety, follow the rules of care and cultivation.
Planting melons in open ground with seeds
In order for the bush to grow and develop well, it is necessary to prepare the soil and seeds.
It is better to purchase high-quality seed in specialized stores or collect it yourself. When collecting seed, it must be borne in mind that young seeds bear fruit poorly, since they form a large number of male flowers during growth. Planting material collected 2-3 years ago will bring a rich harvest.
To grow a strong plant, the seeds are soaked before sowing according to a certain scheme:
- For 1 hour, soak in a weak solution of potassium permanganate.
- Then they are immersed in warm water.
- Every 4 hours, the seed is ventilated and again immersed in water.
- The total soak time should be 12 hours.
- The soaked seed is scattered onto the germination cloth.
Melon is a light-loving fruit, so a bright, wind-protected area should be allocated for it. Melon is very picky about the quality of the soil, it should be light, well fertilized, with neutral acidity.
Before growing in the open field, it is necessary to prepare the site in a timely manner:
- In the fall, the earth is dug onto a shovel bayonet, sand, rotted manure or humus are added.
- From the onset of warm spring days, for quick snow melting, the site is sprinkled with ash or peat.
- An open bed is covered with a film for quick heating of the soil.
- After the earth has warmed up to + 15 ° C, re-digging is carried out with the addition of potassium-phosphorus fertilizers, strictly observing the dosage indicated on the package.
- Before sowing seeds in open ground, the ground is again dug up and nitrogenous fertilizing is added.
Experienced gardeners advise planting seed directly into open ground only in the southern regions. In cities with an unstable climate, it is better to grow melon through seedlings, since after the emergence of shoots, the plant will not have time to bear fruit before the onset of cold weather. Seedlings begin to grow at the end of April.
How to plant a melon
In order for the melon to bear large fruits, it is necessary to follow the planting rules. Crop rotation, non-thickened planting is the key to good fruiting.
Landing scheme
Melon is an unpretentious plant, planting seeds in open ground will not take much time and effort. Landing is carried out according to a certain technology:
- The prepared bed is spilled abundantly with warm water, since germination will be much higher in wet soil.
- After the moisture is absorbed into the soil, make holes 2-3 cm deep.
- At the bottom of the landing hole, ½ tbsp is poured. wood ash, 1 tsp. urea and mix well.
- Place 2 - 3 prepared seeds in one hole. Since the melon bush grows powerful and spreading, the interval between planting holes should not be less than half a meter.
- The seed is covered with dry soil and compacted.
- To protect plantings from spring frosts, they are covered with foil or agrofibre.
Under favorable climatic conditions, seedlings in the open field appear on the 10-15th day. After the emergence of shoots, the strongest sprout is left, and the excess ones are carefully removed.
After what crops is it better to plant melon
The best place for melon would be an area where onions, corn, cabbage, cucumbers and cereals were previously grown. It is not recommended to plant it in one place for more than 2 years, as this leads to poor fruiting and the addition of many diseases.
What can be planted next to melons
Often, summer residents occupy every free piece of land, planting flowers, vegetables or herbs. Melon is very picky about neighbors, so it is not recommended to grow it next to cucumbers and potatoes. Potatoes release a specific substance that causes the foliage to wilt. Cucumbers and melons are related crops, therefore, during flowering, they can become pollinated, thereby spoiling the quality of the crop.
It is best to plant corn, herbs, crucifers and legumes next to the melon. Melons are often placed next to watermelons. This neighborhood is considered the best, since they have the same growing conditions. But it must be borne in mind that the bushes form long lashes, and a large area must be allocated for their cultivation.
What can be planted after melon
After the melon, you can perfectly grow vegetables such as:
- turnip, radish;
- carrots, beets;
- garlic, onions;
- potatoes;
- tomatoes, peppers;
- legumes.
Features of growing melons in the regions
Melon is a thermophilic culture, it needs a lot of light and heat to ripen. It tolerates heat and mild drought well. The maximum humidity for good development should be at least 70%.
Despite the fact that melon is a southern fruit, it can be grown in all corners of Russia. The main thing is to choose a variety, carry out timely care and take into account climatic conditions.
In outskirts of Moscow
Growing a melon in the suburbs is difficult, but real. You can get good fruiting only by growing a crop through seedlings. Sowing material for seedlings is sown no earlier than mid-April. Fortified seedlings are transferred to prepared beds in mid-June.
The growing area should be well fertilized with organic matter. The prepared place is covered with dense, black agrofibre or polyethylene. In the covering material, cross-shaped cuts are made, where the strengthened seedlings are planted.
After planting, the seedlings are covered with spunbond for the night so that it takes root and grows stronger. When the first flowers appear, the shelter is removed.
For the Moscow region, the Altai melon variety is suitable.
Altai - early ripening variety, from the moment of planting seedlings to harvest it takes about 2 months. A medium-sized bush forms lashes of moderate length. Golden oval fruits weigh 1.5 kg. Delicate, juicy, grainy sweet pulp is colored in a light orange color. The variety is adapted to growing in unfavorable climatic conditions, has good keeping quality and transportability.
Middle zone of Russia
In central Russia, the Kolkhoznitsa variety has established itself. But in order to get high fruiting, the culture is grown only through seedlings. At home, the melon begins to grow no earlier than April 20, and at the end of May they are transplanted to a permanent place under the shelter. In order for young seedlings to quickly adapt to a new place, they must be hardened a week before planting. In open ground, the transplant is made no earlier than June 10.
Collective farmer - early ripening variety, the first harvest is removed 75 days after transplanting. The plant forms light yellow fruits weighing up to 1.5 kg.Thanks to its dense pulp and rind, the crop is well transported over long distances.
In the Urals
The Ural summer is cold and short, so the melons do not have time to ripen. To grow it in the Urals, the grown seedlings are planted in a greenhouse. Subject to the rules of care, by timely feeding and watering, you can grow a delicious and sweet melon.
The Cinderella variety is suitable for the Ural climate.
Cinderella - early ripening variety. The first fruits appear 60 days after germination. Bright lemon melon weighing 1.5 kg has a juicy, sweet white flesh. Due to its rich aroma, the melon is used for making fruit salads and preservation for the winter. The variety tolerates sudden changes in temperature and is resistant to various diseases. Cinderella has a drawback - short storage and poor transportability.
In Siberia
It is very difficult to grow melon in the temperature conditions of Siberia. This is due to the short, cold, rainy summers. Under such conditions, the varieties Amber and Rannyaya 133 are grown. But, despite the fact that they steadily tolerate sudden changes in temperature and humidity, the plant is grown through seedlings and in heated greenhouses.
Amber - the culture belongs to medium early, cold-resistant varieties. Fruiting occurs 75 days after transplanting. On long lashes of medium power, juicy, spherical melons weighing up to 2.5 kg are formed. The bright yellow, juicy pulp has a sweet taste and strong aroma.
Melon cultivation and care
To grow a bountiful harvest, you need to know the secrets of growing melons outdoors. Crop care consists in timely watering, feeding, loosening and pinching.
Temperature regime
Melon is a southern fruit, therefore it grows and develops well in the open field at a temperature of + 25-30 ° C. If climatic conditions do not permit, the melon is grown in a specially designated greenhouse. When the temperature rises above normal, the greenhouse is regularly ventilated so that pollination occurs faster.
Lighting
Bright sunlight is essential for sweet and juicy fruits. Therefore, for growing melons in the open field, they select a southern site, protected from strong winds. If the plant is grown in a greenhouse, then it must be located in a sunny place.
Pollination
When growing crops in the open field, pollination occurs due to the wind and pollinating insects. If the melons are grown under a film cover, artificial pollination must be carried out. For this:
- the bushes are sprayed with a drug that stimulates the formation of fruits;
- they pluck a male flower, put it in a female flower and carry out several light rotational movements (4 female flowers can be pollinated with one male flower);
- pollination of the melon with a brush. The pollen from the male flower is gently transferred to the female flower.
Watering
Melon is a drought-resistant culture, therefore, when grown in open ground, watering is carried out once a week with warm, settled water. Irrigation is carried out strictly at the root, since moisture on the leaves leads to the appearance of diseases, a decrease or loss of yield. If the summer is warm, but rainy, the melon is hidden under the covering material.
After each irrigation, the soil is carefully loosened so as not to damage the root system of the melon.
How and what to feed melons
When growing melons in the open field, feeding is carried out 3 times per season:
- 14 days after the emergence of shoots;
- at the beginning of flowering;
- during the formation of ovaries.
For feeding the melon, mineral and organic fertilizers are used.Potassium and calcium are in the first place among mineral fertilizers. Thanks to the mineral feeding, the bush forms a large number of female flowers, which increases the yield. In addition, minerals increase immunity to disease and make the plant more resistant to sudden changes in temperature.
Organic matter contains nitrogen, potassium, phosphorus, vitamins and microelements; the plant needs them for growth and development. Humus and rotted manure are used as organic matter. Organic matter is used in a diluted form, in a ratio of 1: 5.
Topping
Without the correct formation of a bush, good fruiting can not be expected. Timely pinching affects the quantity and quality of the fruit. Method of execution:
- After the appearance of 5 leaves, the top is pinched.
- Stepchildren will begin to appear in each axil of the leaf, 2 of the strongest are left, the rest are removed. The shoots of the first tier will be formed from the left stepchildren.
- After 2 weeks, the stems of the second tier will form on the regrown shoots, on which female flowers will open. After the shoots grow back, pinch the top.
- During the formation of fruits, large-fruited specimens leave 2 ovaries, in small-fruited melons - up to 7.
- When a nut-sized ovary has formed on the shoot, pinch the top, leaving 3-4 leaves above the melon.
When new lashes appear, they are mercilessly cut out, since the green mass takes away the strength from the bush to the detriment of fruiting.
When growing melons in the open field, often the lashes are neatly tied to the trellis. This method makes it easier to care for and harvest, and also prevents the formation of rot on the melon. If the trellis is not installed, care must be taken that the fruit does not come into contact with the ground. To do this, a piece of board or plywood is placed under each melon.
Protection against diseases and pests
If the rules of planting and care are not followed, a melon growing in open ground can be affected by fungal, viral and bacterial diseases. Insect pests can also settle on it.
The most common diseases of outdoor melon:
- Powdery mildew - the leaf of the melon is covered with a white bloom, which can be easily removed with a finger. With an advanced disease, the fungus quickly passes to the trunk. If a disease is detected, the bush is treated with 80% sulfur powder. Per sq. m apply 4 g of the drug.
- Fusarium wilting - often a disease that affects mid-ripening and late-ripening varieties. When damaged, the leaf plate brightens and becomes covered with numerous gray spots. Without treatment, the foliage begins to fade and after 1.5 weeks the bush dies. Treatment consists in treatment with a solution of potassium chloride.
- Root rot - often the disease affects weakened specimens. When a fungus is affected, the aerial part turns yellow and withers, and the root system turns brown. If an infected bush is found, they are immediately disposed of.
- Melon aphid - microscopic insects suck out nutritious juices, which is why the leaf plate turns yellow, dries up and falls off.
In order not to face difficulties and to protect the melon from diseases, it is necessary to carry out preventive measures;
- disinfect seeds before planting;
- observe crop rotation;
- thoroughly cultivate the land before planting seeds;
- follow the rules of care;
- when growing melons in the open field, it is necessary to regularly inspect the bushes for diseases and, if detected, immediately start treatment.
Collection and storage
The harvest time depends on the variety and climatic conditions.
The crop is stored in several ways:
- in nets, in a suspended state;
- on mesh shelves, where the fruits are arranged with the stalks up;
- in cardboard boxes, sprinkling each melon with a layer of shavings.
When stored properly, melon can retain its flavor and aroma until mid-November.
Ripening period
Early ripening specimens grown outdoors begin to ripen in mid-August. To determine ripeness, the skin on the opposite side of the stalk is slightly pressed down. If there is a small dent, then the fruit is ripe. Thus, harvesting takes place selectively and can last until the first frost.
Conclusion
Growing melons in the open field is not difficult, even a novice gardener can handle it. The main rule for obtaining a generous harvest is the correct selection of the variety, preparation of seeds and timely care. Adhering to agrotechnical rules, you can grow a melon even in regions with an unstable climate.
