List of species of melons

Gourds grow well on light sandy soils. They love a lot of sun, but grow poorly on heavy loam. Chernozems are suitable for growing melon crops, but in such conditions they require special care. Now find out what applies to the melon crops. These are: watermelon, melon, zucchini, squash and pumpkin.

Watermelon (Citrullus lanatus)

If you want to plant a watermelon in your plot, you must first carefully select the variety, and only then plant the seeds. Some varieties of watermelon can not fully grow in black soil and high humidity. Therefore, the best varieties of watermelon are: "Astrakhan", "Kamyshinsky", "Monastery". Watermelon should be planted not earlier than mid-Maywhen the weather was warm enough. Gourds very poorly tolerate cold, especially night frosts. Also keep an eye on the humidity of the air, it should be about 60-70%.

It is best to plant biennial seeds.For quenching from cold, they can be planted in peat cups and kept in a cold place for no more than a day. Already germinated seeds are recommended to be planted in the soil. To do this, they need to hold about two days in a wet rag, and only then planted under the open sky.

It will be good if in the area where you plant the watermelon, perennial grasses or some of these plants were previously grown:

• winter wheat;
• corn;
• leguminous crops;
• potatoes;
• cabbage;
• carrot.

Many do not know what to plant next to the melons. Best neighbors will be:

• potatoes;
• corn;
• peas;
• beet;
• sunflower.

Watermelon makes its way through the soil about the tenth day after planting. Then he needs good care. For the entire growing season, the plant needs to be weeded 4-5 times and watered 9-12 times with not very cold water. It is worth noting that if you water frequently, this can lead to fungal diseases. When excessive watering pumpkin (fruit of watermelon) loses its taste and becomes watery. Fertilizers for melons should be selected very carefully. Excessive addition of nitrate fertilizers can adversely affect human health.Experts recommend adding insulin extract when planting seeds, and this will be enough.

The fruits of watermelon can lie by mid-October, in some regions - by mid-end of September. If the fruit has ripened, then, having struck on it a palm, you will hear clunk. The collected seeds can be stored in a dark place for about 4-5 years and remain suitable for planting.

Melon (Cucumis melo)

To plant a melon, seeds of three to four years old are required. If you plant last year's seeds, the plant may not bear fruit. And all because the flowers will be male.

Melon seeds desirable before planting process for 12 hours in zinc sulphate. Planting melon crops and caring for them require considerable effort, especially as regards melon, which is very thermophilic. Therefore, she, like watermelon, requires hardening. First you need to plant the seedlings in peat cups. When the first sprout comes out, it must be turned towards the sun and left in that position for another 10 days.After that, the plant can be transplanted into the ground. For this you need to make small holes at 20-30 cm in depth. Planted with a glass in order to avoid damage to the melon root.

In the future, you need to do everything the same way as for watermelon. Loosening and watering are mandatory procedures. As a result, you get a tasty and sweet fruit.

Squash (Cucurbita pepo var. Fastigata)

Squash is another representative of melons. It needs less sunlight and better tolerates colder air temperatures. Gourd plants such as zucchini can be planted seedlings for 10-20 days before watermelon and melon.

After the seeds are planted to break through and become two-three lobes, they can be planted under the open sky. Before this, the soil should be loosened and fertilized with phosphorus and potash mixtures. You can use the infusion of mullein. During the landing in the ground to add some water and add wood ash. This will protect the plant from various diseases.

Zucchini can not be planted to the place where the gourd, squash or cucumber used to grow. It is advisable to replace the planting site of this melon plant annually and not plant it there for four years.During the growing season, the plant must be sprayed with various mixtures in order to prevent pests from destroying the zucchini. You also need to regularly water and weed the plant, then the fruits will be as large and tasty as possible. In general, the cultivation of such a melon crop as a zucchini, has become an integral part of any gardener in our region. Therefore, many people know that if the plant is properly looked after, then in 35-40 days it will bear the first fruits.

Squash (Cucurbita pepo var. Patisson)

Gourd culture, which has a name in Latin Patisson, very similar to zucchini in terms of growth. Some even plant these plants together for joint pollination. In some sources you can read that the taste of the squash resembles a white mushroom and it is sweeter than the zucchini. Each taste buds are different, but the plants are almost identical in taste.

The same applies to the planting of this plant. If you do everything the same way as for the zucchini, then you will not regret it. Here there is only one nuance: the scallops love a little more heatso plant them a week later zucchini. The fruit of the patissons are of different colors: white, yellow and green. Again, everyone chooses to his taste. Among gardeners there is a perception that the fruit of yellow color has the best taste.

One of the yellow squash varieties has the name "Sun", and the average fruit weight reaches 300 g. The green squash of the "Bingo-Bongo" variety produces fruits weighing up to 600 g.

Pumpkin (Cucurbita)

Pumpkin is a useful and dietary fruit. It contains many nutrients that the body needs for normal functioning.

This fruit contains vitamins A, C and PP, organic acids, salts of magnesium and calcium, and also rare vitamin T. These vitamins, acids and salts have a positive effect on the digestive and cardiovascular systems. Pumpkin is grown both for food and feed. It all depends on the type of plant. There are about 27 varieties.

Planting gourds pumpkin kind should be the same as zucchini.Almost the entire growth process resembles the same zucchini process. Only pumpkin fruits ripen a little later, although it depends on what kind of plant care will be. Mature pumpkin can reach up to 5 kg and more in weight. Harvesting takes place at the end of September. Some varieties may lie longer.

Pumpkin can hit such diseases:

• powdery mildew;
• mosaic;
• fruit rot.

In order for a plant not to be affected by these pathologies, it must be fed regularly with fertilizers and watered in a timely manner. Proper care guarantees a good product. So, the list of melon crops include such plants: watermelon, melon, zucchini, squash and pumpkin. The first two plants grow best in the southern regions of our country. The last three are less demanding on temperature conditions. Although with proper care, both a watermelon and a melon will grow in your country house as well as on southern melons.