Aikido Melon: description of the variety, features of cultivation and care with photos

Aikido melon is a first-generation hybrid variety, which confirms the presence of the “F1” mark on the seed package. The plant is one of the few crops that can show good yields and ripen without a hot climate. The variety is able to survive and endure sudden temperature changes, therefore it has gained popularity and is successfully grown in Russian regions.

The variety is considered one of the best for growing in areas with a temperate continental climate. Aikido melon f1 has the following benefits:

• resistance to the most devastating melon diseases in the form of powdery mildew and Fusarium;
• unpretentious care;
• good taste;
• precocity;
• stress resistance;
• good yields.

Fruiting time on average occurs after 70 days from the moment of germination. The fruit does not differ in large weight indicators, and the average weight of one melon reaches 2 kg. Ripe fruits are ball-shaped and have a bright yellow skin with a dense structure. The presence of extraordinary sweetness and aroma in the fruit is confirmed by numerous reviews of gardeners. The composition of the pulp contains from 10 to 13% sugar.

How to care for seedlings?

Growing is carried out by seedling method by sowing seeds, which depends on the climatic characteristics of a particular region. The latter method is valid only in the southern regions with hot weather. Sowing into the soil is carried out when the soil temperature reaches 20 ⁰С.

For Russian regions, it is recommended to plant seeds in the ground with subsequent transplantation into greenhouse structures.

The time of work with planting material is determined in such a way as to plant seedlings a month after the emergence of sprouts in a permanent place. When planting in peat containers, it will not be necessary to replant seedlings in the future, which significantly reduces the risk of damage to the plant during transplantation and its better survival when planting in a permanent place.

To improve the immune qualities of seedlings, it is first recommended to harden the seeds. Such actions contribute to the better he alth of the plant at the onset of low temperatures. Large seeds are recommended to be soaked for 12 hours in warm water before planting. Such a simple action improves the quality of the germination of planting material, allowing the rejection of unsuitable and defective seeds.

If some of them surfaced, then this indicates the unsuitability of the seeds for growing seedlings and they must be thrown away. In order to harden the future plant after the soaking procedure, the seed material is cooled to a temperature of 1-3 ⁰С.

Planting is recommended to be done in pots of peat material. The soil for planting can be purchased at specialized stores or prepared independently. In the latter case, the earth is mixed with ash, humus, peat. Planting depth should not exceed 1 cm. Fertilization with humus and ash allows to improve the properties of germination and further growth. The growth of seedlings is carried out at a temperature of 20-25 ⁰С.

Until the first sprout appears, the container is covered with a film. Watering is done 1 time for every 7 days. Work must be carried out carefully, since the probability of damage to the root system is very high.As the shoot grows, light hilling can be carried out, preventing the roots from being exposed.

Features of planting in the ground

Melon cultivation is carried out both in open ground conditions and in greenhouse structures. In the first case, it is necessary to choose open sunny areas, as the plant loves sunlight and well-lit places. Landing in permanent soil is carried out from mid-May to the first days of June after the onset of stable heat.

The following seating pattern is recommended:

• distance between rows - 3 m;
• seed spacing - 15 cm.

Ash and humus are preliminarily placed in the place of deepening. Today, cultivation is practiced in a horizontal and vertical way. In the first case, the shoots spread along the ground and after the first fruits are set, plywood or cardboard is placed under them to prevent contact with the ground, otherwise the melons may begin to rot.

When growing vertically, climbing shoots are tied to a trellis or provide support in the form of vertical wooden poles. Good support is provided by tying with horizontally installed and fixed wooden slats. With this method, the distance between the bushes can be less than 3 meters. If desired, in the early stages of plant growth, you can always change the method of growing by raising the shoots from a horizontal to a vertical position.

At the planting site, the soil should be compacted a little and watered with room temperature water. In the first weeks, periodic watering of the soil is required, preventing excessive drying of the soil.

When the first flowers appear on climbing bushes, it is necessary to provide access to them for flying insects for pollination. When grown under a film, it is periodically opened, in greenhouse structures the doors are kept open.

Features of care

Care consists in the timely trimming of excess leaves to eliminate the thickening of the bushes and timely watering. The plant has large spreading leaves, an excessive amount of which will interfere with the penetration of sunlight. In the presence of a large amount of green mass, the plant also lacks nutrients for the formation of fruits. A large number of large leaves prevents good ventilation of the shoots, which significantly increases the risk of plant disease.

After planting, when frost threats appear, it is recommended to provide the plant with protection in the form of a film shelter. After the appearance of the first 2 fruits on the shoot, pinch off the top. This action is necessary to stop the growth of the bush in order to redirect the movement of nutrients from the stem to the leaves. The disadvantage of the variety is the quality of the rapid ripening of melons, so it is recommended to remove the fruits on time.

The time to remove the melon is determined quite easily, at this moment the fruit changes color from greenish to bright saturated yellow, and the fruit becomes soft at the base.

Watering is carried out twice a week. The plant does not tolerate an excess of moisture and is able to tolerate drought well. Every two weeks, fertilizing with mineral complexes is carried out. Work is recommended to be carried out once every 12 days. Bushes should be hilled every two weeks.

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