Review of the sweet and juicy variety of melon "Slavia"
Farmers appreciate the Slavia melon for its unpretentiousness and resistance to adverse weather conditions. The variety shows a stable yield in drought and heat, without consequences tolerates heavy rains and fogs. Ripens in mid-August. The melon is also famous for its taste.
Honey and sweet taste is one of the main advantages of the variety. We will learn how to grow a Slavia melon on your site and what kind of care it needs.
The content of the article
Melon variety description
The variety is late ripening, the fruits ripen 90-100 days from the moment of planting... In hot and dry regions, the melon has time to ripen in 2.5 months. Slavia is planted after the last frost - in mid-May. Gardeners use the seedling method.
Distinctive features
Spreading bushes, the length of one lash reaches about 2 m... The leaves are large, classic green. In the process of cultivation, Slavia needs timely formation. The variety is resistant to diseases and pests. Distinctive features of the melon are visible in the photo.
Composition, properties, benefits, calories
Melon contains vitamins A, B and C, carotene, calcium, magnesium and phosphorus... Eating melon in moderation boosts immunity and improves the condition of hair, nails and skin. The pulp contains dietary fiber that activates the metabolism and normalizes the gastrointestinal tract. 100 g contains only 36 kcal, therefore, dietary and healthy sweets are prepared from the melon.
Important! Due to its high sugar content, melon is not recommended for people with diabetes.
Fruit characteristics and yield
Slavia's fruits are round, yellow-green in color... The surface is covered with a mesh. The peel is dense, the flesh is light. The taste is sweet, honey. Fruit weight varies from 1 to 4 kg. Productivity - 14 kg per 1 sq. m.
How to choose fruits when buying
Melons of the Slavia variety are found both in chain stores and in markets. It is recommended to purchase them in late August or September - during this period, Slavia begins to mature and reaches the highest indicators of juiciness and ripeness.
When choosing, pay attention to the following:
- The melon must be whole, without cracks or dents. Otherwise, there is a high probability that the inside of the fruit is rotten.
- The ripe harvest gives off a pleasant honey aroma. Lack of smell or too harsh aroma indicates that the melon is of poor quality.
- There should be a dull sound when tapped.
- Ripe melon should be firm, with a hard skin. Soft or too dense skin - signs of overripe or immature fruit.
- The place where the melon was kept. It is not recommended to purchase fruits that were lying on the ground.
Read about other melon varieties:
The most popular and beloved by many melon "Torpedo"
How to grow this variety yourself
Seedlings are prepared in mid-April... Pick up capacity, soil, seeds. Let us consider in more detail what stages the planting and care of the variety consists of.
Preparing and growing seedlings
Summer residents buy Slavia seeds in specialized stores. When buying, check the integrity of the packaging, the expiration date of the seed... Before planting, the seeds are disinfected in a solution of potassium permanganate or aloe juice.They are placed in a tissue bag, dipped in liquid for 24 hours. Disinfection cannot be neglected, it kills dangerous pathogens on the surface of seeds.
Grow seedlings in peat tablets or plastic cups... The tablets are made from environmentally friendly raw materials, are inexpensive and easy to use. There are cups in every home, however, it is inconvenient to transplant sprouts into open beds from them.
Used as soil land from the garden or ready-made soil from the store. The container is 1/3 filled with earth, pits are made in it 1 cm deep. 1-2 seeds are placed in each, sprinkled with soil and poured abundantly with warm water.
Seedling care consists of timely watering and feeding... Moisten the soil 1 time in 5 days, use clean water at room temperature. Fertilized with organic and mineral fertilizers - manure, dung, ammonium nitrate, potassium salt. Top dressing is applied once every 10 days, before watering. To accelerate development, 1 time the seedlings are watered with a growth stimulator "Kornevin".
Important! Melon is a thermophilic culture. Seedlings are grown on a sunny windowsill. The length of daylight hours is at least 12 hours. If the seedling develops slowly, then it is additionally illuminated using fluorescent lamps.
Landing in the ground
After 35-40 days from the moment of sowing, the seedlings are moved to open ground... For melon, choose spacious and sunny areas, with warm and nutritious soil.
The beds are prepared in advance: in autumn they are dug to a depth of 20-30 cm, cleaned of debris and weeds. In October, liquid organic fertilizers are applied - during the winter they will make the soil nutritious. In early April, the beds are dug up again, clearing them of foliage and plant debris. For Slavia, a mixture of sandy loam and loamy loose soils is suitable.
Important! The best predecessors for planting melons are beans, herbs, onions, cabbage, corn. In the same place, the culture is grown for no more than two years in a row.
Sprouts are planted according to the scheme 80x60... A thickened planting leads to disease, especially since the variety is distinguished by long shoots. The sprouts are placed in wells with water, the base of the stem is slapped with earth and sprinkled with purified river sand. In the first 2 weeks, the seedlings are covered with polyethylene or thin glass so that the heat-loving Slavia does not freeze. After 14 days, the protection is removed.
Variety care
Melon beds are watered in moderation, the plant does not like abundant moisture... The water is pre-heated in the sun, the stream is directed at the root. Water should not come into contact with the stems and root collar. Watering frequency is 2-3 times a week. As soon as the first fruits appear, the bushes are moistened once a week.
Fertilize the plant once every 2 weeks... It is recommended to alternate mineral and organic feedings. Summer residents feed the beds with:
- potassium permanganate solution;
- ammonium sulfate;
- potassium chloride;
- compost;
- chicken droppings;
- yeast.
Pay attention to loosening the beds... The procedure is carried out before watering. Loosening provides oxygen access to the roots, makes the soil airy. However, it is advised to be careful - loosening to a depth of more than 10 cm injures the roots of the plant.
Features of cultivation and possible difficulties
Melon Slavia needs shaping... 3-4 leaves are formed on the main stem, after which the tip is pinched, and the short side lashes are removed. With this method of formation, nutrients are used for the development of fruits, and not for the growth of green mass. Another way of forming is trellis. Summer residents prepare in advance a frame 2 m high, to which shoots are tied.
When applying dressings, it is important to observe the dosage... An excess of nitrogen leads to lush foliage and small fruits, an excess of calcium or phosphorus leads to shrinkage of the bushes. Gardeners correct the situation by watering and applying dry wood ash to the beds.
Diseases and pests characteristic of the variety
Diseases appear due to high humidity, sudden temperature changes, improper care... Powdery mildew is found on melon beds: the virus covers the leaf plates and stems with a white bloom. Powdery mildew appears due to an excess of mineral fertilizers and excessive watering. Prevention of the appearance of the virus - spraying with a solution of milk whey and following the rules of crop rotation. Colloidal sulfur disease is treated.
Another uninvited "guest" in the garden - fusarium wilting... As a result of the disease, the fruits are deformed, lose their elasticity and taste. Withering appears during the fruiting stage. Occurs due to improper care. As a prophylaxis, a 40% formalin solution is used.
Of the pests, the bear and wireworms are noted... Insects destroy the roots and gnaw the stem of the plant. They get rid of pests with the help of Prestige or Vofatox preparations.
Harvesting and application of the crop
Harvested in Slavia in late August and early September... When separating the fruits from the bushes, a 5 cm long stalk is left. Ripe melons are consumed fresh, they can be stored only for about a week. After harvesting, the fruits are wiped with a dry cloth and removed to a cool and dark place.
Melon is prepared jam, jams and jam... The pulp is dried and candied fruits are harvested for the winter. Melon is actively used for the production of muffins, cakes and other confectionery products. The aromatic and sweet pulp saturates them with a honey flavor.
Advantages and disadvantages of the variety
Of the strengths of the variety, they note immunity to diseases and pests, heat resistance. Slavia has a juicy and sweet flesh, versatile in use. Fruits tolerate long-distance transportation without any problems.
Of the shortcomings, they note the need for shaping. Not every novice gardener is able to form a bush correctly the first time. The rest of the sweet melon Slavia has no flaws.
Conclusion
The attractive variety Slavia is suitable for growing in warm regions: the melon has time to ripen in 3 months. In regions with cool summers, ripening lasts 10-15 days longer.
To obtain a harvest, the beds are fed and watered, with the appearance of a shoot, bushes are formed. The fruits are harvested in early September, when they become fragrant and firm. Used for making sweet desserts and fruit salads.