Are there square watermelons and how can you grow such an unusual crop yourself?

Unusual square-shaped watermelons immediately attract attention. Their first appearance caused surprise and a lot of emotions after the usual round berries, and today they are no longer a wonder and summer residents even try to grow such fruits on their plots.

What is a square watermelon: variety, mutation or secret of selection

The square watermelon is the result of the efforts of Japanese breeders... It appeared on the domestic markets several years ago. Oriental farmers have such know-how, they have learned to grow triangular berries, as well as in the form of pyramids, stars, hearts, and even give the fruits the appearance of fairy-tale characters.

Reference. When growing square watermelons, no modified components were used and no genetic experiments were carried out. These are absolutely healthy products that are grown using special tools that give them a certain geometric shape.

In the photo - a square watermelon.

History of appearance

The invention is about 40 years old... Oktyabrina Ganichkina, Candidate of Agricultural Sciences, first spoke about the secret of the agrarians from Japan. She suggested that square berries are more convenient for transportation and storage, which was partly right. Over time, breeders from other countries - Brazil, the United Arab Emirates, China, Russia - became interested in the fruits of this form.

The first experiments were carried out in Tsentsu in the 60s... It was there that the farmers decided to put small young buds in containers, and they began to develop, taking the correct shape. The results of such efforts inspired experimenters, and soon the world was presented not only with square watermelons, but also tomatoes and melons.

Who and why needed square watermelons

It was necessary to change the traditional form of sugar berries, first of all, for farmers who wanted to surprise consumers and draw attention to the product. Initially, the price for one copy was several thousand rubles, which brought a good profit to the industry.

Subsequently the advantages of the new cultivation technology were appreciated and shipping companies. The berries are compactly placed, which saves space and increases traffic.

Ordinary buyers could not help but appreciate the efforts of breeders. They made sure that cutting and laying out portions of such a watermelon is much easier and more convenient, and the dish looks original on the table.

How they are grown

Achieve the expected result and to grow not only beautiful in appearance, but also a sweet berry is helped by compliance with certain conditions. Only southern climatic regions are suitable for watermelons, where the weather is stable and hot and dry.

Well-lit areas are chosen for planting. - shading is categorically contraindicated for the plant. Only non-acidic, fertile soil is suitable, to which sand and lime are added.

Reference. Watermelons should not be grown in areas where other melons or cabbage were previously grown. The optimal precursors are potatoes, peas, tomatoes and wheat.

At a certain stage of development, a young berry is enclosed in a rigid form., which securely fixes it from all sides. In this way, the specified geometric parameters are given.The enclosed fruit fills up all the free space as it grows.

How to grow a square watermelon yourself

It is not difficult to grow a juicy and sweet square watermelon on your site if you take into account all the rules of agricultural technology.

The whole process consists of several successive stages.:

1. Seed preparation. The optimal time is the end of spring, so that the fruits have time to ripen. Pre-planting material is germinated in wet sand or moistened soil under bright lighting.
2. Landing in open ground. The air temperature should not fall below + 15 ° C.
3. Formation. Begins when the crop reaches the size of a small apple.

Seedlings emerge from seeds after 10-12 days after placing them in an environment favorable for germination.

Read also:

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Description and characteristics of yellow watermelons

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How to make a shape

If you want to grow a square watermelon, you will have to stock up on the necessary set of tools. A suitable square berry shaper is made of polycarbonate, plastic or glass... The main thing is that it is a transparent and durable material that does not deform as the watermelons grow.

For making a mold:

1. Cut the material of your choice into 20-25 cm squares.
2. Fasten the blanks with screws to make a cube.
3. Make a hole in one face.
4. Fit the cover with furniture pivot hinges.
5. To make additional fasteners, use aluminum corners, securing them to the edges of the cube.

Planting and caring for a watermelon

When the temperature readings reach the desired values (+ 15 ... + 17 ° C), the germinated seeds are sent to the site. If the spring is cold and rainy, leave young seedlings in peat pots until the soil warms up.

Reference. At low temperatures, planting is organized in greenhouses. Melons grow well in greenhouse conditions.

Sow at the rate of 10 seeds per 1 m². Not all of them will ascend, so this area is enough. The depth of the holes is from 6 to 8 cm. The first shoots will appear after 7-8 days.

Further care for them includes:

• gentle loosening of the soil when 5 leaves appear;
• sheltering young seedlings in case of rainy weather;
• watering not in the hole itself, but on the soil nearby.

Sufficient watering is the key to the formation of a juicy watermelon... Moisture must penetrate to a depth of more than 1 meter. It is this length that the main root of the plant can reach.

The need for hydration depends on the stage of development:

1. Before the active formation of green mass begins, the seedlings are watered 1-2 times a week.
2. During the period of leaf growth, the soil is often moistened, but waterlogging is not allowed.
3. When the fruits begin to ripen, watering is stopped. Otherwise, the berry will become watery and unsweetened.

The optimal time for watering is evening... After moistening the soil, it is allowed fertilization... To do this, use mineral complexes that contain:

• magnesium;
• phosphorus;
• nitrogen;
• calcium;
• potassium.

At each stage of development, the culture perceives feeding differently... Potassium provides an active and lush flowering and stimulates the formation of vitamin C, which accelerates maturation. They bring it in a month after planting the seedlings in the ground. Nitrogen contributes to the formation of a lush bush and activates the formation of ovaries. The plant needs it at the beginning of the growing season.

Used as dressings:

1. Urea. Submitted 3 times. The first is immediately after germination of seedlings, then with an interval of 4.5 weeks.
2. Complex mineral composition. With the appearance of the first buds - once every 2 weeks. 1 tsp superphosphate and 1.5 tbsp. l. ammonium and potassium salt, diluted in 10 liters of water.

Soil-friendly compost made from leaves, grass, weed and vegetable residues... It is not recommended to add meat waste or fat to it, as the risk of slugs and parasites increases.

Manure and bird droppings are equally useful... The components are diluted in a ratio of 2:10 with water and must be insisted for 2-3 days, otherwise the fresh fertilizer will burn the root part.

Important!Do not use ammonium nitrate for dressing. It contributes to the accumulation of dangerous nitrates in the pulp.

In regions where an arid climate prevails, and there is a lack of nutrients in the soils, humus is indispensable. It is useful for watermelons during flowering and fruit development. It is enough to make it every 3 weeks. Plants, paper and food waste are suitable for humus; the mixture must be overheated for 2-3 years before use.

Wood ash is used as a means for the prevention of diseases and rot.... It is dusted with soil or watered, after diluting it with water.

Fertilizing in two ways:

• root - directly under the root of the plant;
• foliar - watering the deciduous part of the crop or spraying.

With proper care, watermelons begin to bloom in about 30-35 days.... Then the fruits appear. When they reach 7-9 cm in diameter, the main lash is pinched, and the side shoots are completely removed. So the plant will give all its strength to the formation of the main ovary and berries. Weak specimens are removed from the site.

When to apply the shape

Watermelons that have reached 10 cm in diameter, it is time to fix and place in a prepared form... Experienced gardeners know that if the container is smaller than the planned volume of fruit, the material will not withstand and will crack. If the shape is larger, it will not work to grow a cube-shaped product. The main thing in this business is practice and experience.

Melons non-standard in shape have the same signs of maturity as round:

• dried stalk;
• a shiny, almost glossy rind that does not bend when pressed with your fingers;
• light ground part of the fruit.

Checking the ripeness of watermelons by the characteristic ringing is a myth. Such berries are considered overripe.

Where to buy a square watermelon

Initially, square berries were only cultivated in Japan., therefore, such a product was found only on local agricultural land and by prior order. Now domestic farmers have learned to grow such a number of unusual watermelons every year that will satisfy the needs of the entire Russian market.

Square fruits appear on supermarket shelves even in the middle of winter... The opportunity to enjoy juicy and sweet pulp is given to consumers by the owners of greenhouses from foreign countries, where climatic conditions are favorable for harvesting almost all year round.

Storage features

The approximate time from the moment of planting seeds to harvest is about 100 days... They do this in a timely manner, otherwise the watermelons will not be stored for a long time. Sharp knives or secateurs are used for cutting. The length of the remaining tail is at least 5 cm.

Only whole berries are suitable for storage, without damage... They are put on a straw mat in a dark room. Also, the berries are placed in dry earthen trenches, sprinkling each layer with shavings or straw, on wooden shelves.

In well-ventilated and dry rooms, the crop is well stored in the form of pyramids from 8-9 rows. So that the fragile product is not damaged, the location is fenced with boards.

Advantages and disadvantages of a square watermelon

Unusual berries have no taste differences from their round counterparts. They are just as juicy and sweet, but they also have a number of other benefits.:

• allow you to optimize transportation costs;
• practical for placement and storage, do not shift or fall;
• convenient to cut and serve.

The main disadvantage of the novelty is the risk of uneven ripening.... Therefore, some berries are inferior in taste to rounded specimens.

Square watermelons are more expensive due to their original shape and aesthetic appeal.... This is the main factor that prevents the launch of large-scale cultivation of unusual melons.

Conclusion

Original cubic watermelons delight the eye. This is not a product of genetic modification, but an amazing result of the simple actions of breeders. Even an ordinary gardener can grow such a berry. The main thing is that the climatic conditions are suitable for the ripening of melons and gourds.