Why the Ikar watermelon variety is good and why it is worth growing
Watermelons are grown in the south and in the middle lane. This culture is thermophilic, it manifests itself well on loose and fertile soils. It's hard to imagine summer without a watermelon. The sweet and juicy fruit is taken for picnics and guests, fruit salads and cocktails are prepared from it.
In the article we will consider the Icarus variety Gardeners appreciate it for its resistance to fungal and viral diseases, stable yield and the ability of the fruit to be stored for a long time.
The content of the article
Description of the watermelon variety
Mid-early Icarus ripens in 88-105 days from the moment the first shoots appeared. It is planted with seedlings or seeds in open ground.
Distinctive features
The lashes are long, the shoots are thin and powerful... Leaves are medium-sized, gray-green in color. When large fruits are formed, a garter and bush formation are required.
Composition, properties, benefits, calories
100 g of watermelon contains 25 kcal... Fruits are 90% water and have an active diuretic effect. Suitable for dietetic food, have a positive effect on blood sugar levels. Watermelon removes toxins from the body, saturates with fiber and vitamins A, B, C. Watermelon contains folic acid - it improves memory, strengthens immunity, and reduces the risk of stroke.
Interesting! Watermelon is called the "berry of youth" a. It has a positive effect on skin condition, strengthens nails and hair.
Fruit characteristics and yield
Fruit weight - from 3 to 6 kg... The shape is rounded, elongated. The color is green, with a weakly pronounced mesh. The rind is thick, making the crop suitable for long-term storage. The pulp is granular, sugar, red-raspberry hue. From one bush, two to five large fruits are removed.
Seeds of watermelon
The seeds of the Ikar variety are small, oval... They have a brown tint, the skin is smooth. The mass of 1000 seeds is about 70 g.
How to grow a variety yourself
Icarus shows the best yield when grown in seedlings... Let's consider the technology of seedling preparation and further care in detail.
Planting and caring for seedlings
Seedlings require containers and soil... Wooden boxes, plastic cassettes, flower pots are used as containers. The container is washed and wiped dry. The soil is taken from the garden, fertilized with peat and humus, watered with a solution of potassium permanganate.
The soil is poured into the container and grooves are made 1 cm deep. 2-3 seeds are placed in each, sprinkled with earth on top and watered with warm water. Before planting, the seeds are disinfected with a solution of Bordeaux liquid or aloe juice: placed in a tissue bag and immersed in the liquid for 40 minutes.
Place seedlings on a warm and sunny windowsill... In cloudy weather, additional lighting with phytolamps is organized. Water the seedlings with warm and clean water every 5 days. Fertilized two weeks after planting with liquid chicken droppings. The next top dressing is applied after 15 days - use ammonium nitrate or superphosphate. Icarus is planted in the garden from May 25 to June 5.
Important! Watermelon is planted in fertile hilly beds. Before planting, the earth is dug up, cleaned of debris and weeds. To improve the quality of the earth, the mineral vermiculite is introduced. It makes the soil more nutritious and lighter.
Step-by-step cultivation and care
In the first week after planting, the bushes are covered with polyethylene or film - they protect the plant from possible frost.Pour watermelon in the morning with water at room temperature. About 1 liter of water is consumed per plant. If it rains frequently, the amount of water is reduced.
Improves soil quality and nutrition of Icarus by loosening... Before watering, the beds are loosened to a depth of no more than 15 cm. Loosening makes the soil light, eliminates weeds and pests. Use a metal rake or hoe for loosening.
An important stage in the care of a watermelon is the introduction of organic and mineral dressings... The plant reacts favorably for feeding with manure, grass, biohumus, potassium salt, nitrogen. It is recommended to alternate organics and minerals. The interval between procedures is two weeks. 10 days before harvesting, feeding and watering is stopped.
About other varieties and hybrids of watermelon:
A variety for the northern regions of the country - watermelon "Sugar baby"
Features of cultivation and possible difficulties
A month after planting in the ground, the plant is formed... Lateral shoots are removed, leaving 2-3 powerful stems. The scourges are untangled and laid on the ground, sprinkled with sand in several places. If you do not form a plant, all nutrition will be spent on the growth of green mass and the formation of many small underdeveloped watermelons.
If the fruits are heavy and lie on the ground, gardeners construct a plywood or wooden board support for them. Otherwise, the watermelons will come into contact with wet ground, which leads to the formation of infections, viruses or fungi.
Important! Special attention is paid to mulching. Mulch is a mixture of foliage, grass, sand, sawdust and other plant elements. It is recommended to sprinkle the base of the stem with mulch after each watering. It nourishes the soil and retains moisture.
Diseases and pests
Icarus variety disease resistant, however, due to sudden changes in weather and high humidity plants can get sick:
- Root rot... The roots are covered with a light bloom, become tough and dense. For prophylaxis, top dressing with iodine is used, for treatment - the drug "Quadris".
- Tobacco mosaic... It appears as a patterned mesh on the leaves and stems. For treatment and prevention, spraying with Bordeaux liquid or potassium permanganate solution is used.
- Powdery mildew... White bloom on the leaves is caused by heat and rain. For prophylaxis, the soil, garden tools and seeds are disinfected before planting. For treatment, use means "Maxim" or "Commander".
Melon aphids are noted as pests... The insect feeds on plant sap, provokes the onset of diseases. It is recommended to regularly inspect the beds, as it is difficult to see the small midge with the naked eye. Get rid of it by spraying with soap or ash solution.
Another pest is spider mite... It envelops the leaves with cobwebs, feeds on plants. Bushes wither, fruits lose their firmness and taste. To fight using a solution of copper sulfate or the drug "Decis".
Harvesting and application of the crop
Harvested in late August - early September... Ripe fruits are identified by their shine, dry stalk, dull sound when tapped. Tear off the watermelons along with the tail, wipe with a dry clean towel.
The fruits are suitable for long-term storage - for this they are removed to a basement or cellar with an air humidity of no more than 80%. The crop is stored for up to four months.
Sweet, refreshing desserts are made from the pulp - sherbet, smoothies, cocktails. Watermelon is also suitable for preparing original salads and snacks. Its taste is harmoniously combined with olives, Parma ham, walnuts.
Interesting! From watermelon peels making sweet jam. The crusts are boiled together with sugar over low heat, it turns out a thick delicacy. The dish is served with pancakes or donuts.
Advantages and disadvantages
Of the shortcomings, they note exactingness of the variety to the region of cultivation and soil fertility.On dry and scarce lands, it will not work to get a rich harvest.
Wherein Icarus has a number of advantages:
- universality of application;
- sweet and juicy pulp;
- stable yield;
- long-term storage;
- resistance to diseases and pests.
Reviews
Let's study the reviews of Russian summer residents about the Ikar watermelon variety. We will find out whether they are satisfied with the harvest they have received or not.
Evgeniy, Krasnodar: “An excellent variety, I have been planting it for 10 years. Watermelons are velvety, sweet. We eat fresh, the taste is excellent. I plant in open beds, fertilize with urea and herbal infusions ".
Irina, Saratov: “I liked the Icarus variety. Collected 9 large fruits from the garden, each weighing about 5 kg. Some of them were put away for storage. Good taste, moderate sweetness ".
Ksenia, Moscow: “My watermelon Ikar grew poorly: the bushes are weak, the shoots are thin and fragile. The fruit was set slowly. I didn't like the taste, they were watery. ".
Conclusion
Icarus watermelon is loved by experienced gardeners and novice gardeners. In care, the plant does not require special skills - the main thing is to water the beds in a timely manner with warm water, make organic and mineral dressings.
The taste of the fruit is soft and sweet, the flesh is fleshy. Thanks to the thick peel, the crop is stored until winter. The variety is versatile in use - suitable for cooking various dishes and fresh consumption.