Watermelon Crimson Sweet: description and origin of the variety, cultivation with photo

Crimson Sweet watermelon is one of the most common early varieties in Europe thanks to its sugary, juicy berry. The name characterizes the taste, since the word "sweet" is translated from English as sweetness. In order to grow a large and high-quality fruit, you need to carefully study the recommendations for growing it in a greenhouse and in the open field, as well as tips for creating optimal conditions for good germination.

Origin and Description

For the first time, Crimson Sweet watermelon was created in France during long selection work of experienced specialists.Now it is actively grown for industrial purposes in many European countries. The variety is unpretentious to the soil and feels great in any region, only if the growing area is characterized by cold climatic conditions, it is worth growing berries in a greenhouse.

The fruit weighing 5-12 kg has an oval, rarely round shape. It has a bright, smooth skin, with well-defined light stripes. The juicy flesh of a bright red hue is distinguished by the complete absence of transverse veins. The main advantages of Crimson Sweet watermelon include:

resistance to weather changes, growth rate even with the exclusion of regular watering;
capable of withstanding long-term transportation while keeping the tough shell intact;
high sugar content in the composition of the pulp, which favorably represents the variety on the market;
excellent yields and impressive weight;
resistance to characteristic diseases.

Disadvantages include intolerance to rainy weather and high amounts of nitrogen in the soil.

Optimal conditions for good growth and yields

Before you grow watermelon Crimson Sweets, you need to study and create optimal conditions for its intensive growth. Only by diligently caring for the plant, you can succeed in getting a harvest.

Feeding

For the entire time of growth, watermelon needs to be fertilized only 2 times: before planting and during the formation of the ovary. Before planting, the soil should be fertilized in advance with phosphorus-potassium minerals in the fall. Nitrogen-based chemicals can also be used for top dressing, but they can adversely affect the taste of the fruit.

Seedlings in the phase of two real leaves are usually sprayed with a solution of the Athlete preparation (1 ampoule per 2 liters of water). After that, the plant will become more resistant to diseases and drying out of the root system.

Irrigation

The plant needs abundant watering, because the lack of the required amount of moisture can lead to a weakening of the root system and the likelihood of the plant withering. But watering a watermelon is not recommended after the start of fruit formation. This can adversely affect the quality of the fruit as it will lose its honey taste and become watery.

Formation

When growing Crimson Sweet watermelon, the timely and correct removal of stepchildren is of great importance. You need to start the shaping process when the fruit has already become the size of an apple. Excess melons without berries should be disposed of. On the fruiting branches, make an incision, stepping back 5 leaves.

Features of growing variety Crimson Sweet

The taste and appearance of Crimson Sweet watermelon is influenced by the climatic conditions of the place of growth, the naturalness of the applied fertilizers, proper watering and many other factors. An important place in the cultivation of watermelon is planting. It affects the further development of the whole plant and the formation of fruits. Therefore, in order to end up with delicious large berries, you need to pay due attention to it.

In greenhouse conditions

Before planting, you need to organize the right greenhouse, install it in the optimal area, provide good lighting, additional heating. Growing watermelon Crimson Sweet in greenhouse conditions involves familiarization with the sequence of actions:

Fertilize the soil with organic and inorganic substances and loosen it well a week before planting so that it has time to soak. It is recommended to use compost and ash as fertilizer.
Dig beds with a distance of 1 m in length, and as wide as the greenhouse parameters allow.
Pour warm, rainwater, water and plant 2-3 seeds in the hole at a distance of 5 cm from each other.
Cover the marked places where the seeds were applied with the neck of a cut-off plastic bottle.

After the first shoots appear, get rid of the protective bottles, and maintain normal humidity and temperature indicators.

Outdoor

It is advised to plant seeds for seedlings at the end of April according to a certain pattern:

Fill small pots with loose, airy soil.
Place the seed in moist soil to a depth of 1 cm.
Create the right conditions for the intensive growth of the first shoots: a temperature indicator of at least 25 degrees, constant soil moisture.
After sprouts appear, gradually lower the temperature to 10 degrees and expose the pots to fresh air for up to 4 hours.
Plant in open ground after a month after the appearance of the first shoots.

It is important to pay attention to whether the soil has warmed up well. If the temperature is below 15 degrees, planting should be postponed due to the likelihood of freezing of the root system.

Nitrate sensitivity and pest and disease control

Don't resort to chemical-based mineral fertilizers. They can negatively affect both the taste and appearance of the fetus, and the human body. More often, chemicals are used only when the disease is advanced or to get rid of pests.

Dangerous pests for this variety are melon aphids and spider mites.They feed on the juice of the leaves, which leads to complete dehydration of the plant and rapid wilting. For prevention purposes, use an onion or garlic solution, but after detection, carry out 3 spraying procedures with Apollo or Neoron with a break of 10 days. Do not forget about their toxicity and use a protective suit.

The main diseases of Crimson Sweet watermelon are white, black or root rot, powdery mildew and anthracnose. Rot forms in conditions of high humidity and requires the immediate intervention of chemicals. For anthracnose, treat with Bordeaux mortar and weed the soil.

Powdery mildew is the most dangerous disease that involves the complete removal of the plant and burning. Treat the soil with Karatan.

Variety hybrids

Breeders do not sit still and have recently created many hybrids of this variety, improving it according to various criteria. Gardeners now have more variety to choose from for their Improved Favorite Watermelon.

Crimson Ruby

The variety, bred by the French company Clause Tezier, is popular in all European countries, thanks to the ability to grow on any soil and resistance to sudden changes in temperature, but at temperatures below 20 degrees it slows down growth. It is grown both for industrial purposes and in home gardens, due to its excellent taste and high commercial ratings. The sugar content exceeds 10%, and the weight of berries, depending on climatic conditions, can be 8-10 kg.

Crimson Wonder

Mid-early hybrid with high yield. It is frost-resistant, resistant to many diseases and practically eliminates the appearance of pests. Watermelon perfectly tolerates transportation and can be stored for a long time at home. The berry is quickly formed, actively saturated with juice and gaining weight of about 13 kg.It does not tolerate moisture well and in rainy weather requires additional protection in the form of a special coating.

Crimson Ruby F1

The hybrid is characterized by increased productivity and excellent taste. Recently it was included in the State Register in the North Caucasus region. It is resistant to typical pests and diseases. The berry is strong, oval in shape and weighs 10 kg. The sugar content exceeds 6%. Pulp with pronounced brightness and incomparable aroma.

Watermelon Crimson Sweet turned the idea of many amateur gardeners about melons. The plant does not require diligent care and costly fertilizers. Already in August, you can enjoy the excellent sweet taste of berries without the presence of harmful nitrates and fertilizers that adversely affect human he alth.