Growing a melon "Torpedo" on its own site

For most people, late summer is associated with melon. With its bright presence, it helps to dilute the already tired summer diet and make it more enjoyable and useful. Despite the large number of various varieties of the product, the most popular is the torpedo melon. In this article you will find out the answers to the following questions: how to grow melon from seeds where melon grows, as well as many interesting facts about this wonderful culture.

Description of the variety

Due to its external similarity with the self-propelled underwater mine, this melon variety was called the Torpedo. In addition to the elongated shape, the vegetable has a very dense crust, which gives it the opportunity to endure long shipments without any difficulties. Also, the crust has a yellow color and a pattern in the form of a fine mesh.As for the internal characteristics, the melon pulp is endowed with a special taste, texture and aroma, as a result of which it simply melts in the mouth.

Central Asia is considered the birthplace of culture, but this does not make it impossible to grow the fruit in other localities. The fact is that the region is characterized by high temperatures. For this reason, the product grows in the shortest time with the maximum range of taste.

The average period of cultivation, for example, in Uzbekistan is 60-70 days, that is, melons on the shelves can be seen in mid-August. In this case, the weight of the fetus can reach 15 kg.

Growth conditions

In order for fetal growth to be as productive as possible and without complications, it is necessary to adhere to all the conditions necessary for this.

Temperature and humidity

Since melon is a heat-loving culture, when choosing a place to plant it is necessary to avoid areas where the temperature does not exceed 15 degrees Celsius. Seeds will be able to develop normally only at a daytime temperature of 20-25 degrees and at night - not less than 15 degrees.

Gusts of cold wind are also very undesirable.

Lighting

If you do not have the opportunity to place the fetus in an open space, you can create additional lighting, the intensity of which should be from 5,000 to 6,000 lux (lux).

Soil composition

It is necessary to approach preparation of soil with all responsibility, after all than it is more fertile, the melon is better. The proportions for creating good soil look like this:

• 25% peat;
• 25% sand
• 50% of humus.

If we are talking about planting on open ground, then the most suitable option would be black earth and gray forest soils. Before the earth needs to be dug up and loosened.

Popular methods of growing

The most popular are two types of growing: spreading and trellis.

In the spread

The essence of this method is as follows: the main shoot is pinched over the fourth leaf, while leaving two side shoots.Other shoots pin to the ground, thereby stimulating the development of an additional root system.

The question arises: what is the use of these actions? The fact is that due to this principle, the nutrients are spent not on the green mass, but on the melon itself.

Tapestry

Growing melons "Torpedo" in this way is appropriate for the most part only in greenhouses or in case of a critical need to save space on the site.

First you need to stretch two trellis at a height of 2 m. In their quality, you can use wire or rope. Then, 4-5 days after disembarkation, shoots need to be tied up to the trellis (one escape - to the left rope, the other - to the right).

This gives the lashes excellent access to lighting. After a certain period of time, the melon will no longer need a garter, as it will be able to twist itself around the ropes.

Melon sowing rules

For hundreds of years of cultivation of this culture a number of certain rules have been developed, which certainly need to be followed, counting on a good harvest.

Seed preparation and selection

When selecting seeds, be guided by the following criteria:

• The size. Always choose larger seeds. As practice shows, such seeds are better.
• Purpose You need to focus on the seeds intended for planting it in your climate zone.
• Fitness. When purchasing seeds, you should know everything about the type of your soil. The success of the further development of the fetus depends on it.

After the purchase should be preparing seeds. Her first step is dressing. To do this, the seeds must be placed in gauze and in a weak solution of potassium permanganate for 6 hours. Then there is a germination and naklevyvanie. It is worth mentioning one popular method for identifying empty seeds. If you put all the seeds in the water for a day, some of them will come up. It is from these seeds that one must get rid of, since they are empty.

Sowing scheme

Sowing is recommended between late April and mid-July. In the case of too early or too late sowing, there is a risk of catching frosts and losing crops.

The process of growing melon seedlings begins with the acquisition of peat pots with a diameter of up to 10 centimeters. This is followed by filling the pots with earth. And finally, the main stage - sowing seeds.At 1 pot enough to throw 2-3 seed to a depth of about 1.5 cm.

Warming up the seeds will help you get a bigger crop. Leaving them at 60 degrees for 4 hours will increase your yield by 25%. Experienced gardeners sow seeds in pots 35 days before they move seedlings to open ground. Such a warning allows the plant to prepare itself to the maximum for drastic changes in the situation.

Planting seedlings in open ground

In order not to damage the roots of the plant, it is necessary to water the pot with seedlings and only then remove it. After extraction, you need to put the bush in the hole to a depth of 4-6 cm with an interval of 80-90 cm between each well.

The distance between the rows should be about 1-1.5 m. The bush should be located in the hole in such a way that the root neck is at the level of the soil. The hole itself should be filled with a mixture of organic matter (compost or humus) and warm water.Done! It remains only to save the seedlings for the first 2-3 days from direct sunlight.

How to care for a plant?

Despite the resistance of the melon to many adversities, there are certain subtleties in the care, the neglect of which can lead to disastrous consequences for the plant.

Watering

Watering a melon is recommended only when the soil is dry, but always with warm water, with a temperature of 20 to 25 degrees Celsius. During the ripening of the vegetable, the best solution would be to reduce watering to a minimum, or even stop it.

This approach will help the plant to accumulate the maximum amount of sugars, while an excess of moisture leads to their excess.

Top dressing

Often the plant is fed 2-3 times, depending on when the leaves are closed. We will understand all three feedings alternately:

1. The first time the melon is fed two weeks after disembarkation. As a means for feeding use ammonium nitrate. 20 g of this preparation is diluted with a bucket of water.The resulting mixture is distributed to 2 liters per bush.
2. Repeat the process during the budding phase.
3. The last feeding is carried out 3 weeks after the previous one, during the growth of the ovaries. At this time, use a solution of phosphorus-potassium fat, 50 and 20 g per bucket of warm water.

Pinching and removing ovaries

Proper growth restriction is one of the main guarantees of a successful harvest. Pinching is carried out on the main lash and lateral, but not all completely: you need to leave about 2-3 shoots. It is also necessary to pinch the top of each of the lashes.

When the melon reaches 5-6 cm in diameter, it means that it’s already time to remove the excess ovaries. On 1 bush will be enough to leave about 3-6 most developed fruits.

Use pieces of slate or roofing felt as a litter: it will save your plant from rotting.

Harvesting

The following indicators will help you determine the level of ripeness of melons:

• the fruit is easily separated from the lash;
• pronounced skin color;
• small cracks on the entire surface of the vegetable;
• rings around the stem;
• peculiar smell.

Do not forget to turn the melon from time to time. Thus, it will turn out evenly ripe from all directions. You can simply buy a melon and not spend a lot of time and energy on its own cultivation, but by doing it yourself you are guaranteed to get a reliable, fresh and inexpensive product.