Watermelon Spark: variety description, cultivation in open ground and greenhouse with photo

Watermelon variety Ogonyok was bred back in the 60s, but remains in demand by gardeners today. And this is not surprising, since for an early variety it contains an abundance of sugars and contains sweet, tender flesh. The light has also distinguished itself by other positive qualities, but first things first…

Benefits and characteristics of watermelon Spark

A representative of the pumpkin family settled in the territory of central Russia. It ripens well in the Moscow region, yields a crop even in difficult Siberian climatic conditions. This is due to its unpretentiousness and resistance to disease.But the variety is not suitable for long-term transportation, so it is better to consume it immediately on the spot.

The name of the variety was due to the carmine-red pulp. It differs in granularity, juiciness, sweet taste. The fruit itself looks like a ball, it is round, smooth in shape weighing up to 2 kg (sometimes - 2.7 kg). A thin peel of dark green color surrounds the pulp containing small seeds. Due to the thin skin, there is a problem with the transportation of fruits.

In the course of growth, lashes branching in different directions are formed on the plant. Stems and leaves have a characteristic omission. The leaves are arranged alternately and are located on long petioles. The leaf blade is solid, rigid, triangular-ovoid in shape.

The description says that the variety is not just fruitful, it ripens earlier than many famous hybrids. This is due to its ability to endure sharp warming and cold snaps, wet weather, and adapt to different climatic conditions.It stoically tolerates the lack of watering and top dressing, rarely affected by Fusarium wilt and anthracnose.

The variety is characterized by the following indicators:

• early ripe: matures in an average of 85 days;
• average berry weight up to 2 kg;
• dark green fruit;
• yield up to 2.6 kg/m. sq.;
• ability to grow indoors and outdoors.

Watermelon Spark is resistant to a short drop in temperature, although, like other gourds, it loves warmth and sun. He manages to mature in the middle lane before the onset of frost.

How it was bred and the region of growth

Unpretentious watermelon was bred in our country back in Soviet times at the Institute of Vegetable Growing near Kharkov.

It is believed that Ogonyok was obtained by crossing the Asian hybrid and the Sugar variety. It was intended for cultivation in the southern regions.

Gradually its geography expanded. Ogonyok proved himself well in the Moscow region, reached the Urals and ended up in Siberia. But the cold Siberian climatic conditions did not allow growing gourds in the open field. But greenhouse conditions turned out to be quite suitable.

Features of growing watermelon in different regions

The concept of the middle zone of Russia is quite extensible. The climate in the middle lane depends on the specific region. So, in the Moscow region, watermelon ripens both in open ground and in greenhouse conditions. Naturally, in a greenhouse, controlled climate, the harvest can be obtained much earlier.

In the Urals, growing outdoors is a risky business. During a hot summer, the fruits will have time to ripen, but if the season is cool and rainy, then there is no need to wait for the harvest. Therefore, without risk, you can grow the Light only indoors.

Siberian conditions suggest exclusively greenhouse cultivation of the variety. This is a zone of risky farming, where it is problematic to get a crop of southern crops "in the open air". In the southern regions, Ogonyok ripens without any problems and hassle. Here growers get early harvests.

Rules for planting and growing

In the middle latitudes, the planting of the Ogonyok variety is carried out by seedlings:

1. Seeds are sown in peat tablets or plastic cups to a depth of 3-4 cm, as the seeds are large.
2. When seedlings appear, a 12-hour daylight is important so that the seedlings do not stretch.
3. Seedlings need to get stronger, so they need regular watering and fertilizing.
4. When the third true leaf appears, it is ready for planting in the ground (greenhouse). When planting "outdoors", it is necessary to harden off so that the southern plant gets used to cool, continental conditions.

Before planting, the seeds are tested in a saline solution, while non-viable specimens float to the surface. It is also advisable to keep them in a weak solution of potassium permanganate for disinfection for half an hour.

In the greenhouse

Indoors ideal conditions to grow southern crops. There are no temperature drops, rains, high humidity. The conditions that require watermelons are created. If an early harvest is planned, then the seedling method will be preferable. Although already in April you can sow the seeds in a greenhouse created in the greenhouse.

The planting pattern is 60×70, as the lashes will be tied to a trellis to save space. You can plant seedlings already in early May, by which time the greenhouse will warm up well.

Outdoor

It is possible to grow gourds in open ground only through seedlings (we are talking about the middle lane). Planting time is the last week of May - the first week of June. Plants are grown according to the scheme: 60 × 140 cm. That is, the distance between bushes is 60 cm, between rows is 140 cm. Watermelon throws out lashes, so this placement justifies itself.

Watermelon is planted in loose, well-permeable soil, without stagnant moisture, because melons are drought-resistant. An open, flat, slightly elevated place is suitable. The area for melons should be large: pumpkins are not small crops.

If the night temperature drops below +15 C, then the growth of watermelon stops. With the threat of return frosts, watermelon seedlings need shelter, especially if the hardening stage has not been completed.

Rules of care

Basic care requirements are traditional: loosening, weeding, watering, fertilizing.For gourds, it is important to form lashes and place them on a trellis. This technique must be mastered in order to get a full harvest. Otherwise, the Ogonyok variety can be grown by a vegetable grower without experience, since care for it is minimal.

Irrigation

Although watermelons are classified as drought-resistant crops, but a comfortable indicator of soil moisture for them is 85%. Therefore, frequent watering is carried out on sandy soils, and gourds are watered less often on chernozem or clay soils.

Watering is carried out with warm, settled water in the evening hours, and the water should not get on the leaves or under the root. In greenhouses, the frequency of irrigation is regulated and carried out as the soil layer dries up. Outdoors, it all depends on the "rainy season". With heavy summer rainfall, watering is not required at all. When the fruits are ripe, the Wisp does not need moisture.

Feeding

During the growing season, watermelon needs to be fed three times. Each plant should receive 2 liters of fertilizer. Power sequence:

1. 10 days after planting young plants, the first feeding is carried out. It consists of 45 g of superphosphate, 30 g of ammonium sulfate, 15 g of potassium s alts. The mixture is diluted in a bucket of warm water.
2. During the period of active growth and formation of ovaries, phosphorus-potassium fertilizers are applied, but in a different ratio: 20 g of ammonium sulfate, 10 g of superphosphate, 35 g of potassium s alts per bucket of water.
3. 10 days after the last application, the third top dressing is carried out with a similar composition.

There are also organic fertilizers that are safer, but no less effective. Nettle infusion is useful for watermelons. Nettles are collected, poured with water and wait about 3 days until the fermentation process starts. The composition is diluted with water 1: 1 and the wells are watered. 2-3 liters of nutrient solution is enough for one plant.

Formation

The most convenient way to grow is on a grid or trellis. So, the leaves receive a maximum of light, do not get dirty. After the fruits are formed, they are placed in nets so that the whip does not break and, when suspended, they do not come into contact with the ground and do not rot.

During growth, the side lashes are removed and one remains, on which fruits are formed. After flowering, 3-4 ovaries are left, the rest are removed. Without this procedure, the watermelon Spark will ripen, but its fruits will be smaller. When it is clear that the fruits have begun to grow, pinch the apical shoot, since its further growth is not needed.

Since the Light is well pollinated by bees, to attract them, you can grow honey plants nearby or sprinkle melons with a sugar (honey) solution.

How to determine the ripeness of a berry

The fruit ripening of the watermelon variety Spark is friendly. To determine the ripeness, experienced vegetable growers use an external examination:

• the size of a watermelon should correspond to its varietal characteristics, it is better to choose a medium-sized fruit;
• characteristic dark green fruit color;
• formation of a hard crust with a dry "tail";
• resonant sound when tapped due to voids inside;
• the presence of a lateral light spot when watermelon ripens on the ground.

If the fruit is thrown into the water and it floats, then the watermelon is ready to eat and its ripeness is beyond doubt.

When to harvest

The ripening period of the fruit is different and depends on the region and time of planting. In the Moscow region, the crop can be harvested already in July, in the Urals - in August, in Siberia before the first frosts in September.

The term for harvesting fruits in the greenhouse will come 2 weeks earlier due to early planting, higher temperature, the ability to create optimal conditions for growth. Greenhouse Light is characterized by more juicy and tasty pulp.

Watermelons of this variety should be used immediately after harvest. They do not have high keeping quality, are poorly stored and are suitable only for quick consumption. But these shortcomings are more than offset by excellent taste.

Every year the market pleases with new varieties of watermelons: square and oblong, with pulp of different colors and shades, unusually colored fruits. But the watermelon Spark does not give up its positions. This old, time-tested variety remains a favorite of many vegetable growers.

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