What is black watermelon: description, features and the best varieties of this type
If you love something new and exotic, try growing a black watermelon in your garden. This melon culture does not require special attention. There is a wide variety of black watermelons, which are not inferior in their taste and varietal qualities to those berries to which we are accustomed.
This extraordinary fruit has a very sweet taste. You can verify this in two ways: go to Japan for an exotic berry or try to grow a similar product in your garden. If you adhere to simple agrotechnical rules, then even an inexperienced summer resident will cope with cultivation.
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What is black watermelon
Watermelon is a berry that ranges in color from light pink to black... Some varieties have slightly noticeable stripes or mesh on the skin. The shape of the berry is oval or round.
The creeping culture has long shoots - up to 3 m or more. Each stem has a branched whisker and dissected individual leaves. The flowers are large, light yellow.
History of origin and distribution
Breeders bred modern watermelons from wild varietiesthat still grow in the deserts of Botswana, South Africa.
Initially, they were not so juicy, sweet, beautiful and aromatic, but, on the contrary, had a bitter taste, white or creamy flesh. The size of the wild fruit barely exceeded a large apple.
These African berries were the only source of moisture in the hot, desert latitudes, and travelers who passed by picked the fruit to quench their thirst.
In Europe, the berry began to grow in the XVI-XVII centuries, the taste and external characteristics of watermelons were very different from modern varieties and hybrids, but the selection work went on and bore fruit. Now in the beds there are not only green, but also black watermelons. In the Russian Federation, these fruits are grown only in warm regions.
Features of fruits
Large black berries are mainly grown in Japan, they are premium class. This is the most expensive watermelon in the world: in Japanese stores it costs about 20-30 thousand yen, that is, 12-17 thousand rubles. Its average weight reaches 5-7 kg, with a maximum of 11 kg. The exoticism of the fruits gives their appearance, namely, the black-glossy color of the shell.
Black watermelon - a delicacy and luxury... Its fruits are very sweet, sugary, some varieties practically do not contain seeds.
Composition and properties
The chemical composition of the black berry is the same as that of the classic watermelonbut the black fruit tastes much sweeter than its counterparts. This is due to the fact that the pulp contains a large amount of glucose, fructose and sucrose. These elements greatly increase the sugar content of the fruit.
The calorie content of the product is 25 kcal per 100 g. The berry contains ascorbic acid and carotene, which strengthen the immune system, folic acid, vitamins E and PP. Berries are rich in trace elements: potassium, iron, calcium, magnesium, sodium, phosphorus.
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Benefit and harm
Black watermelon is used as an anti-inflammatory, antipyretic and diuretic... The low calorie content of the berry is a reason to include it in the diet, even with diabetes mellitus, since the sugars contained in the pulp are easily absorbed by the body.
Watermelon also has other beneficial properties:
strengthens the immune system;- normalizes metabolism;
- removes toxins from the body;
- lowers cholesterol levels;
- normalizes the intestinal microflora;
- improves the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract and circulatory system;
- prevents the formation of malignant tumors due to the high content of lycopene;
- improves brain activity;
- acts as an antioxidant.
Watermelon is used in cosmetology: The most popular berry remedy is a face mask. Its vitamin-rich composition rejuvenates the skin, tones it and makes it smoother and softer.
Prepare from watermelon seeds and rind useful decoctions, which are taken in diseases of the cardiovascular system and gastrointestinal tract, rheumatism, and even to remove parasites from the body.
But there are people for whom watermelon can be contraindicated. Those who suffer should abstain from delicacies:
- atherosclerosis;
- kidney stones;
- colitis and diarrhea;
- congenital diseases of the genitourinary system;
- flatulence;
- intolerance to the product.
Cut watermelon is stored in the refrigerator for no more than a day... If the berry has lain for the same amount at room temperature, then it is better to refuse its use so as not to get poisoned.
Black watermelon varieties
The main region for growing sweet watermelons is the Astrakhan region... It is there that the most suitable weather conditions and soil, which allow the berries to reach full maturity, and the farmers - to collect the maximum yield: 120 tons per hectare.
New varieties are able to grow in harsher climates and even in Siberia... The classification of watermelons includes varieties with different ripening periods, which make it possible to harvest in several stages. Fruits are stored for up to 2.5 months, which allows you to feast on them even in winter.
Interesting. The largest watermelon grew in the United States in 2005. The weight of the fetus has reached 120 kg. Variety - Carolina Cross. The record was entered in the Guinness Book of Records. The largest berry in Russia gained 61 kg. Grade - Russian size.
Densuke
The variety is grown on the island of Hokkaido... The average weight of the Japanese Densuke berry is 5-7 kg. Some fruits reach 10-11 kg. The shape of the watermelon is round. The stripes on the peel of the fruit are almost invisible. The berry has a glossy black surface and deep red flesh.
Watermelon is rare, so gourmets are ready to pay a high price for an extraordinary fruit... The cost of such a berry is unpredictable. In 2008, the price of an exotic watermelon reached $ 6300 and weighed 8 kg. He gained such a record value thanks to constant resale at various world auctions.
Black Prince
One of the available varieties of Japanese selection... The culture is grown in the North Caucasus region. The growing season is 85-95 days. The berry weight ranges from 3 to 10 kg. The shape of the watermelon is identical to the melon - oval-elongated. The peel is dark green, with longitudinal, almost black, stripes on it.
Scarlet medium-firm pulp has a juicy and sweet tastedespite the low sugar content (within 10%). The advantages of the variety are the ability to transport and preserve marketable qualities for three months from the date of harvesting. The culture is resistant to temperature changes. From 1 hectare harvested from 150 to 350 centners.
Twinkle
Early maturing variety. Small berries are spherical... Thin skin, black-green, without stripes. The weight of one fruit is 2-3 kg. The structure of the red pulp is granular.
Watermelon fruits "Fire»Are used fresh, they are not used for blanks. The culture endures the spring chill.
Berries ripen in 70-85 days... In the southern regions, watermelon seeds are planted in open ground in April-May. One hectare harvested 150-300 kg of crops. Cleaning takes place in August-September. The culture is resistant to fusarium and anthracnose.
Did you know? In the South African Kalahari Desert, there are still wild berries the size of a tennis ball. The Egyptians were the first to grow watermelons - more than 4000 years ago.
Black superb
The Black excellent variety is a domestic analogue of Densuke.... Rounded berry.Narrow black stripes are slightly visible on the dark green peel. The largest fruits gain weight up to 10 kg. The pulp is bright red with a slight raspberry tinge.
The sugar content of this variety is slightly higher than that of the Black Prince - 12.5%... Pros: resistance to disease and temperature extremes.
Black tyrant
Of all the varieties, the rind of this watermelon is closest to black.... The shape of the fruit is round. The average weight of a black berry is 10 kg. The grainy, raspberry-colored pulp has a rich aroma. The sugar content is at least 12%.
Many summer residents prefer the Black Tyrant variety for resistance to temperature extremes, good transportability and long shelf life.
The culture is grown in open and closed ground... Basically, this watermelon is cultivated in the middle lane, but it is able to withstand low temperatures and even short frosts. The crop is harvested 100-110 days after germination. The fruits are suitable for winter harvesting.
Icarus
Medium late variety, begins fruiting 90-110 days after planting... Watermelons "Icarus"Are elliptical. There is a subtle mesh on the dark green shell. Skin thickness is medium. The pulp is tasty, grainy, has a raspberry hue. Fruit weight reaches 3-5 kg.
Anthracnose is a threat to plants if grown under film. But Ikar is not sick on the melon.
Drought tolerant culture... From 1 hectare harvested from 125 to 165 centners. The fruits of this variety are consumed fresh and used for processing.
Siberian lights
Early cold-resistant melon culture... The variety has excellent commercial and taste qualities. The pulp is sweet. The fruits gain weight from 2 to 5 kg. On a thin dark green peel, there are narrow stripes. The color of the juicy pulp is bright red. Watermelons are consumed fresh.
Fruits ripen in 80-90 days... The variety is grown under a film cover and in the open field. The berries tolerate transportation well. Up to 370 centners of the crop are harvested from 1 ha The culture is resistant to fusarium.
Montenegrin
An early ripe universal variety. The fruits are eaten fresh and salted. The shape of the berry is spherical, the color is black-green. The pulp is tender, red. Montenegrin is drought tolerant. The weight of one watermelon reaches 2.5-3 kg. The culture grows well on light fertile soils.
Growing features
The cultivation of watermelons requires agrotechnical knowledge. Despite the unpretentiousness of the culture, there are nuances that affect the quality and quantity of the crop.
A number of conditions are met for growing sweet and juicy fruits.:
- Provide the culture with the necessary temperature and lighting. The southern berry does not grow well with a lack of sunlight, so the site is chosen on the sunny side. Seeds of black watermelon are planted when the soil warms up to + 15 ° С, and the air temperature will be at around + 25 ° С ... + 30 ° С.
- Follow the watering rules. The site is moistened evenly, drying out and waterlogging of the soil is not allowed. When the fruits begin to ripen, watering is stopped.
- Adhere to the fertilizing schedule. The culture is fertilized 3 times per season, the soil is pre-moistened.
- To tie the lashes, a trellis is installed.
The crop is harvested as the fruit ripens. Signs of ripeness of a watermelon: a dry stalk, a yellow spot where the berry touches the ground, a characteristic crunch when squeezed. Crop is harvested by hand and sent to storage.
Important! They try not to store the fruits for more than a month, since the watermelon loses its sugar content, and the pulp loses its density.
After harvesting, add wood ash, humus or mineral complex fertilizers.
Reviews
They choose black watermelons for planting, focusing on the photo and characteristics of the variety. Not only the appearance of the berry is important, but also the ripening time, yield and taste.
Elena, Tula: “I love watermelons since early childhood. Every year in August and September I cleanse the body with a watermelon diet. I used to buy in the market.But once she was very poisoned and decided to grow them on her own. I tried it, I was wrong, but in the end I worked out the optimal landing technology. I was advised a watermelon proven, grade Ogonyok. It suits both taste and size. Every year I collect seeds from my own harvest for further planting ".
Vasily, Stavropol: “I liked the Ikar variety from the first cultivation. I collected 8 large berries from the garden, the weight of each fruit was about 4 kg. My wife and I eat fresh. Some of them were put away for storage. I cultivate watermelons in the open field, fertilize with urea and herbal infusions ".
Conclusion
Domestic watermelons are practically in no way inferior to foreign exotic counterparts and are quite accessible for cultivation. Sweet and juicy black berries from your own garden will delight you with a fresh taste and will be perfectly preserved in homemade preparations!