Watermelon "Photon": variety description, yield and growing features with photo

One of the favorite treats of people around the world in the summer is watermelon. Nothing refreshes and quenches thirst like juicy and tasty pulp. Watermelon does not have to be bought in a store, because the fruit can be grown on your site and regaled on it at any time. We will consider a watermelon known as "Photon". We will learn its advantages and disadvantages, as well as the rules of cultivation.

Characteristics and advantages of the variety

Description of variety benefits:

1. Gives a good harvest. With proper care, up to 7 kilograms of product are collected from one square meter.
2. Accelerated growth and maturation.
3. Immune to most diseases.
4. Transported over long distances if necessary.
5. Growing does not require special agricultural equipment.

Features:

• large fruit;
• The minimum weight of a ripe watermelon is 4 kilograms;
• juicy bright pink flesh;
• oblong shape;
• fruit green with prominent dark stripes.

History of occurrence and regions of growth

Watermelon first became known in South Africa. Subsequently, thanks to its taste, it quickly spread throughout the world. Today, there are many varieties cultivated for growing in different regions.

The "Photon" variety arose as a result of breeding hybrid products that can grow not only in hot countries. Such a watermelon is grown both in the southern regions of the country and in the northern ones.

When to start planting watermelons

Any harvest depends on the right planting time, and watermelon is no exception. "Photon" is best planted in late April or early May, as the ripening period is 85 days.

Thus, the maximum yield is achieved, and the fruits of the watermelon will be ripe and juicy.

Berry planting technology

Each product grown in the garden has its own planting and growing technology. Watermelon is no exception, and to get a positive effect, you need to be guided by the following algorithm:

• sow seeds to harden them before planting in open ground;
• grow seedlings;
• shape and tie sprouts;
• harvest.

At each stage there are nuances that we will consider separately.

Sowing seeds

Seeds are planted in separate containers and grown for 10 days, until the first sprouts appear - this will allow the seedlings to harden. As soon as the seeds have sprouted, the containers are removed to a sunny place, since watermelon is a heat-loving plant. In this state, they continue to be grown for another 20 days, after which they are planted in a summer cottage.

Experienced gardeners advise immersing seeds in hot water for a quarter of an hour before planting seeds. The water temperature should not exceed 60 o. Alternatively, instead of being immersed in a liquid, the seeds are wrapped in damp gauze or a napkin.The best soil for growing seedlings is a mixture of peat, earth and sand. Note! Ready seedlings are best planted outdoors.

Growing seedlings

To properly grow seedlings, you will need:

1. Choose a place that will be illuminated for the maximum possible period of time. The best option is when the seedlings are exposed to sunlight for at least 10 hours.
2. Water should be plentiful, but don't overdo it.
3. Loosen the soil around the sprout, so it will receive more nutrients.
4. The temperature in the room with seedlings should be maintained at 23 o. Deviations of a couple of degrees up or down are possible.
5. After 12 days from the moment the sprouts appear, organize the feeding of seedlings with a special complex of non-organic fertilizers.

Shaping and tying

Seedling formation is an important stage in growing watermelon. The thing is that the sprouts constantly form shoots on which fruits are formed. If the excess is not removed, the plant will not be able to feed all the branches. In the end, you will have many long shoots that have grown small watermelons. To avoid this, choose the correct scheme, guided by which you will form and tie a watermelon.

There are two most common schemes:

1. In each bush, one lash and one fruit is left, which was the first to form. The remaining side shoots are removed, and the sheets that are further from the fruit are also pinched. This method is beneficial in that you are guaranteed to grow a good big fruit, and it will take much less time and effort.Agronomists say that it is easier to grow several dozen bushes with one fruit than 10, but with 2-3.
2. If you want to take a chance and try to grow 3 fruits on one bush - leave the main lash and two side ones to grow. It is best to leave side lashes that grow near the third and fourth leaves. When the lashes are finally formed and fruits are formed on them, you need to organize plucking over the fifth leaf from each first fruit on the lash.

Harvesting

Crop can be harvested in late August-early September. A more accurate time is determined by the presence of the following signs:

• fruit has a rich smell;
• the pattern on the peel is clearly visible;
• if you knock on a watermelon - a dull sound is heard;
• watermelon tails begin to dry out a little.

These signs indicate that the crop is ripe and ready to be harvested.

How to create conditions for good yields

Not everything will depend on you, as climate and weather will have a big impact on the quality of the crop. To increase the chances of achieving the expected result, you will need:

• properly water the beds, maintaining optimal humidity;
• fertilize the soil in time, saturating it with the elements necessary for the growth and formation of the fruit.

Water and humidity

Watermelon has a strong root system, so watering the beds is not a serious problem. The plant does not need to be watered often, the main thing is to do it abundantly. For 1 square meter, watering equal to 3 buckets of water is considered sufficient. During the formation of ovaries, moisten the soil at least once every 2 weeks.When the ovaries have formed and the fruits have begun to ripen, the frequency of watering is reduced.

Important! After each watering, slightly loosen the soil around the plant.

Timely fertilizer

Timely fertilization of the crop is necessary at all stages of cultivation. There are 5 such stages in total:

• fertilizing the soil before planting watermelon seeds;
• when transplanting mature seedlings into open or closed ground;
• fertilizer during flowering;
• during fruit formation;
• in the process of their ripening.

When fertilizing the soil, follow these rules:

• fertilize the soil preferably with mineral-based fertilizers;
• fertilizers must contain elements such as nitrogen and phosphorus;
• during the flowering period of watermelon, it is important to focus on fertilizers containing a high content of potassium;
• if longitudinal yellow stripes form on the fruits, this means a lack of boron in the ground.

These are general rules that will allow you to get a decent harvest. As a piece of advice, I would like to note that you should not overdo it with fertilizers either, as this will lead to undesirable consequences. Remember - everything should be in moderation!

What difficulties arise when caring for a watermelon

The main difficulties in growing watermelon include the following:

1. Competent selection of the site where the product will be grown. The soil should be light and free to pass moisture.
2. To protect watermelons from pests, you need to carefully weed the beds from weeds and mow excess grass around the site.
3. In case of sudden cold snaps or frost, take care to protect the fruit.
4. Excessive soil moisture will provoke the growth of pests. In case of prolonged rains, periodically check the landing site. There is a risk that a harmful fungus or aphid will start on the fruits.

Otherwise, growing watermelons is not particularly difficult, and if you approach all stages competently and thoughtfully, you will get a tasty and juicy harvest.

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