The Amal melon hybrid, loved by summer residents, tastes great and is resistant to diseases

Melon Amal f1 belongs to hybrids, bred by French breeders. Thanks to its outstanding taste, the culture has gained popularity in Russia and the CIS countries. Melons are distinguished by an attractive presentation and stable yield.

In the article, we will take a closer look at what a hybrid is and how to grow a rich crop on your site.

Melon description

Matures melon 60-70 days after the first shoots appear. It is recommended to grow Amal in central Russia, plant the culture in a seedling way.

Distinctive features

The plant spreads along the ground, the whips are long, the root system is powerful and developed. The hybrid has a strong immunity to diseases and pests, but it is whimsical in care and growing conditions.

Fruit characteristics and yield

The fruits have an elongated oval shape. The color is honey-yellow, the peel is dense, due to which the fruits have a long shelf life. Weight varies from 2 to 4 kg.

The pulp is creamy, juicy and sweet, with a strong aroma. From 1 sq. m summer residents collect from 7 to 13 kg of crops.

How to grow this variety yourself

Amal is grown in greenhouses or in the open field. Seedlings are prepared at the end of March; they are planted on the site in mid-May.

Preparing and growing seedlings

A container is required for seedlings. Plastic boxes with drainage holes and a pallet will do. The soil is poured into the container, grooves are made 1 cm deep. 2-3 seeds are placed in each, sprinkled with earth and watered with warm water. The container is placed in a warm and bright place.

Important! Before planting, seeds are disinfected. The material is soaked in a solution of potassium permanganate or in Bordeaux liquid for half an hour. Then they are taken out and dried on a clean towel. It is recommended to disinfect the seedling soil - place it in the freezer for a day. Low temperatures will destroy dangerous fungi, bacteria and insect larvae.

Seedling care consists of timely watering and feeding. Water the seedlings every 5 days. It is important to prevent waterlogging of the earth, this will lead to the development of fungus and infections. For fertilization, liquid organic matter and mineral complexes are used - chicken manure, superphosphate, yeast, nettle infusion. Top dressing is applied every 15 days.

Growing in stages and care

Amal is planted on soils with low acidity. The lands should be located in a sunny and calm place. For reliability, the soil is lime before planting - a mixture of dry lime and wood ash is added. This composition reduces acidity and makes the soil more nutritious for plant development. The distance between the grooves is not less than 70 cm, seedlings are placed in each and sprinkled around with the ground, watered.

The yield depends on the irrigation and feeding regime. Water the plant with warm water in the morning or evening. The jet is directed to the root, water should not fall on the stem or leaves. The interval between watering is 5-7 days.

Twice during the growing period, instead of water, use an infusion of nettle or ash... It strengthens the plant's immunity, develops roots and stems. Watering is stopped two weeks before harvesting.

For feeding, organics and minerals are alternated. The development of fruits is favorably influenced by the mineral complexes "Zdraven", "Magic Leica", as well as ash, ammonium nitrate, urea, manure, humus.During the growing period, Amal is fed 3-4 times. For better assimilation, fertilizers are applied before watering.

Features of cultivation and possible difficulties

Melon beds need regular weeding. The soil is loosened once a week, the procedure nourishes the roots with oxygen, the soil becomes lighter. The depth of loosening is not more than 5 cm. Together with loosening, weeds are removed - bindweed, burdock, nettle. They block the light and prevent the plant from developing normally. Hoppers and rakes are used for weeding.

Important! To get a rich harvest, pinch the plant and leave one main stem and 2-3 side ones, the rest of the shoots are removed. If the procedure is not carried out in time, many small fruits are formed. There is not enough strength for everyone to develop. If the fruits are ripe large and large, then a support of stone or wood is built for them. Melons should not lie on the ground, this leads to rotting.

For the healthy development of plants, the amount of applied mineral fertilizers is monitored. An excess of phosphorus or nitrogen leads to wilting of the bushes, so it is recommended to write down the date and amount of feeding. To avoid negative consequences, alternate mineral fertilizers with organic ones.

Diseases and pests

Melon is planted in one place for no more than two years in a row. The best predecessors for a hybrid are cabbage, greens, and legumes.

Due to high humidity and improper care, the hybrid becomes ill with viral and infectious diseases, pests appear. Diseases also arise due to non-compliance with the rules of crop rotation.

1. Powdery mildew appears as a white coating on leaves and stems. The cause of infection is humidity, non-compliance with crop rotation rules, contaminated land. For prophylaxis, the bushes are sprayed with milk serum, for treatment they use Quadris preparations or a solution of copper sulfate.
2. Root rot appears on beds with weeds, occurs in rainy and hot summers. The base of the stem is covered with a gray bloom, the plant withers, the fruits are deformed. For treatment, the beds are sprinkled with dry ash.
3. Melon aphid occurs in the beds closer to the fruiting period. Gnats are attracted by the sweet scent of the fruit, and the insects gather on the leaves and feed on the sap. For treatment, spraying with iodine or herbal infusion is used.
4. Spider mite affects both young plants and mature bushes. The pest envelops the stems and leaves with cobwebs, taking vitamins from the melon for development. Get rid of the spider mite with the help of "Iskra", for prevention use Bordeaux liquid.

Harvesting and application of the crop

Harvest as soon as possible ripening. Ripe melon acquires an attractive yellow color, the skin becomes firm and dense. A pleasant sweet comes from the fruit smell, the stalk dries up.

If there is a strongly pronounced mesh on the surface of the melon, then it is used for food immediately or processed. If the mesh is poorly expressed, such a crop is suitable for longer storage... To do this, wipe the melons with a dry cloth and put them in a dry basement or cellar.

Melons make delicious snacks: jam, jams, fruit baskets. The pulp is sweet and aromatic, harmoniously combined with honey, lemon, banana, mint. They make cocktails, smoothies and compotes from melons.

Interesting! Use melon cubes to make seafood salad. To do this, take shrimp, basil, black pepper and wine vinegar. It turns out a spicy and original dish.

Advantages and disadvantages of the variety

Of the shortcomings, the hybrid's exactingness to the regime of light and heat, care and applied dressings is noted. It will be possible to get a rich harvest only if all agrotechnical rules are observed.

The pluses of the variety include:

• yield;
• taste;
• commercial qualities;
• keeping quality;
• versatility in application.

Reviews

The Amal hybrid is known among gardeners around the world. Here are a few reviews of Russian summer residents about the harvest:

Polina, Moscow: «Melons grow juicy and fragrant. I plant it in seedlings, the yield is stable. Last season I collected 7 large and heavy fruits from the garden. I recommend landing. "

Alexander, Oryol: "I love melons, especially large ones. I like Amal, it does not require much attention in its care. I recommend planting according to the seeding scheme 50x70. Plants have wide leaves, they require free space. "

Ekaterina, Sochi: “I planted Amal last year. The harvest disappointed me. Melons got sick with root rot and developed poorly. I think the reason is acidic soil. "

Conclusion

The Amal hybrid is distinguished by its taste and aroma - gardeners prepare sweet dishes and desserts from it. The plant is demanding on the condition of the soil and care. Amal is planted on loose and fertile lands, closely monitoring the irrigation and fertilization regime.

Harvested in August, when the fruits become large and acquire a honey-yellow color. Some are consumed fresh, some are stored for 1-2 months.