Watermelons in greenhouses: proper cultivation

2024 Author: Howard Calhoun | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 10:16

Watermelons are light and shade loving plants. Therefore, growing them in a greenhouse seems more than appropriate. This method can be acceptable both in central Russia and in Siberia. Watermelons in greenhouses, as well as in open ground, are best grown by planting seedlings. This is the most acceptable option. The fact is that in May at night the air temperature may not be enough for a good growth of this crop even in a greenhouse.

Seedlings are planted about a month before being transferred to the ground, no later than May 1–2. The soil mixture for it should consist of one part of garden soil and three parts of humus. When sowing, watermelon seeds are placed on their side. This will facilitate the germination of cotyledon leaves. They are deepened into the soil by 3 cm. When caring for seedlings, it must be borne in mind that a lack of illumination will lead to its strong elongation.

Planting watermelon in a greenhouse can be done next to other crops - tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers, etc. In the spring, the bed must be dug up and fertilized with manure. Sandy loam soils are considered the most suitable for growing this crop.and sandy soils. On clay soils, it will not be possible to get a good harvest. Holes are dug under the bushes. When planting, you need to ensure that the roots of the watermelon do not come into direct contact with manure.

Watermelons in greenhouses are often infected with spider mites. At the first signs of its appearance, the plants must be treated with appropriate preparations. Not bad for this purpose and ordinary furnace ash.

The crop in the greenhouse depends, first of all, on how well the variety of watermelon will be selected. It is best to choose early-ripening plants.

Watermelons in greenhouses, like any melons, are not afraid of drying out, but at the same time they do not tolerate excess water at all. Therefore, you need to pay attention to such an important indicator as air humidity. Ideally, it should not be higher than 60%. With a sharp drop in air temperature outside, seedlings need to be covered.

The formation of a watermelon in a greenhouse will be faster if you water this plant not with ordinary water, but use a solution of some kind of nitrogen fertilizer. It must be warm. This must be done carefully so as not to fall on the leaves and stems. After ten days of growth in the greenhouse, the bushes will need to be tied up. Of great importance is such a procedure as the formation of a plant.

Those shoots on which ovaries appear are pinched, leaving no more than two leaves above the fruits.

The main stage in the harvest of melons can be called tyingfruits. The fruits are placed in a net and hung a short distance from the ground. This must be done after they have reached the size of an apple. Watermelons in greenhouses, as well as in open ground, are removed from the bush only when a characteristic sound appears when tapping on the fruit.

If all the above recommendations are followed, it will not be difficult to get an excellent harvest of this crop in a greenhouse, diversifying your table with tasty and he althy fruits. Growing this crop is not difficult, but it requires a responsible approach. It is also necessary to take into account the fact that the greenhouse itself should not be shaded by trees and buildings, since watermelons need a lot of light during formation.