How and where do watermelons grow?

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

We all know very well about the invaluable benefits of fruits and berries that ripen in summer and early autumn. They can not only be consumed raw, but also made at home. In today's article, we will tell you where watermelons grow and what these fruits are valued for.

A Brief History

Africa is considered to be the birthplace of this sweet striped berry. According to most botanists, the center of its origin is the Kalahari Desert. In this area, to this day, there are wild thickets of this fruit.

Those who do not know the place where watermelons grow will be surprised to realize that modern cultivated fruits are very different from those that were known four millennia ago. In those days, they were bitter in taste, and in size approached grapefruits. Around 2000 BC, this fruit was first found by the ancient Egyptians, who began to actively ennoble it.

Watermelon came to Russia from India around the 8th-10th century. Initially, it began to be grown in the Volga region, but by the 17th century it had spread widely to other regions of the country.

Valuable properties of the berry

Those who want to understand where watermelons grow will be interested to know how they are useful. First of all, this fruit optimizes the digestive system. The fiber contained in its pulp contributes to the active growth and development of beneficial microflora.

Watermelon is considered one of the main sources of alkaline substances necessary to neutralize excess acids that enter the human body along with bread, meat, fish and eggs. The folic acid contained in the fruit helps to get rid of cardiovascular diseases and is actively involved in the production of amino acids. In addition, watermelon pulp is rich in iron s alts. Therefore, it is recommended for people suffering from anemia.

Where do watermelons grow?

In Russia, they are cultivated on an industrial scale in the Volga region and the South Urals. Astrakhan and Volgograd melon growers for a long period could not decide which of these two regions has the right to be called the national watermelon capital. The dispute was resolved several years ago. The head of the Ministry of Agriculture Alexei Gordeev put an end to the strife. It was he who signed the decree, according to which the Astrakhan region became the Russian center for the cultivation of this berry.

For those who want to understand where watermelons grow in the world, it will be interesting that their plantations are found in many states with a warm climate. The cultivation of this fruit has long been practiced by residents of Thailand, Greece, Egypt and Spain.

Fruits with yellow flesh

In appearance, they are very similar to ordinary watermelons. The only difference is the presence of a darker color and slightly pronounced stripes. Sometimes on sale you can see completely yellow berries. The color of the pulp is reflected in its taste. Such a berry is very useful for human he alth, but it contains less sugar.

For those who do not know where yellow watermelons grow, it will be interesting that the shade of these fruits is due to the presence of carotenoids, which have a positive effect on intercellular metabolism. Also, the pulp of an unusual shade is rich in vitamin A, iron, ascorbic acid, calcium and fiber. Thanks to such an interesting composition, yellow watermelon improves vision, strengthens the immune system, improves the condition of hair, nails and bones.

During the summer months, round yellow watermelons are grown in most European countries. Residents of Asian states harvest oblong fruits in winter. In Russia, they also bred their own variety, called Lunny. Its taste resembles several fruits at the same time (lemon, melon and avocado). The most extensive plantations of this unusual berry are located in Astrakhan.

Growing watermelons in greenhouses

It is recommended to build a structure in which the fruits will ripen in early spring. The best time to prepare a greenhouse is March and April.

Having figured out where watermelons grow, it should be noted that they should not be planted until the end of May. The beds should be placed along the walls of the greenhouse. Widthone row should be no more than eighty centimeters. It is important to ensure that there is a distance of one meter between adjacent plants.

Before planting, it is necessary to properly prepare the soil. To do this, it is fertilized with ammonium sulfate, humus, potassium s alts, peat and superphosphate. In the first ten days, the air temperature in the greenhouse should not exceed thirty degrees.

Feeding and fruit care

From the moment when the whip has grown to twenty-five centimeters, it must be fertilized. The first dressing should consist of mullein or chicken manure. The second is carried out with ammonium nitrate. Do this shortly before budding. The third time the plants are fertilized before the formation of the ovary. To do this, prepare a solution consisting of mullein (1:6) or chicken manure (1:10).

Those who already know where watermelons grow will be interested to know that only warm water is used for watering them. It is important that it penetrates the soil, and not through the leaves or stems. It is recommended to water the plants after feeding.

To attract pollinating insects, plantings can be sprayed with a solution based on honey or sugar. In some cases, this process is carried out manually. The pollen taken from the male flower is transferred to the female.

One plant should have no more than six ovaries. For tying watermelons, you can use wire trellises. They are pulled at a distance of about half a meter from each other. After the length of the stem reaches forty centimeters, ittied to a trellis. Those ovaries and shoots that are located below are recommended to be removed. Fruits grown to the size of a large apple are placed in a net and attached to a stretched wire.

It is important to systematically ventilate the greenhouse in which watermelons are grown. Otherwise, high humidity can provoke various plant diseases. Harvesting is recommended four days after the last watering.