Many gardeners prefer the juicy and sweet variety of Ogonyok watermelon. Suitable for growing in the southern and middle regions of the country. To get a rich harvest, you need to follow a number of important rules. Which ones? Let's talk in this article. Let's start with a description of the melons.
Description and characteristics of watermelon light
An annual from the pumpkin family. Spark is an early maturing variety that tolerates average weather conditions.
The ripening period takes about 75-87 days. Resistant to many diseases. It resembles a round ball in shape, reaching a mass of 2.5 kg. The average weight of one fruit is 1.5-2 kg. The fruit has a rich scarlet flesh with few seeds.
The skin of the berry is rather thin, dark green in color. The disadvantage of a thin rind is that during transportation, the watermelon can crack and easily deform. Maybe this is not the best option for a business, but the variety is ideal for growing in small quantities in a summer cottage. Due to its sweet, juicy, grainy taste, it will become a wonderful treat for a summer-autumn table.
Breeding history and region of growth
In the 13-14 century, watermelon came to us from African countries. In Russia, Ogonyok is still very popular in the summer. According to the breeders, the domestic variety belongs to a mixture of the Asian hybrid and the Sugar variety. Bred at the Soviet Institute of Vegetable Growing, near Kharkov.
Berry has successfully taken root in Russia. It is grown in the southern regions, middle regions and even in the Urals. True, in the north, Ogonyok grows in greenhouse conditions.
Advantages and disadvantages of the variety
To grow a crop, you need to properly prepare the site for planting. It is good to plant a watermelon on soils where cereals and legumes previously grew. Planting should begin in late May - early June.
The Ogonyok variety has many advantages: ranging from taste and ending with adaptability to any weather conditions. But there is only one drawback - watermelons are not subject to long-term storage. and they need to be eaten within a few weeks after harvest.
Landing rules
In open ground, seeds are sown in the second half of April. But it is advisable to plant the watermelon in a seedling way. Seeds for seedlings need to be prepared in early April:
- you can buy seeds at any specialized store or ask someone who has managed to grow a good harvest of watermelon Ogonyok;
- when preparing seeds, make sure that they are not empty. To do this, you need to lower the seeds in a glass of water. If some of the seeds have risen to the surface, it means that they are empty and can be safely thrown away;
- for better germination, it is recommended to scald the seeds with boiling water;
- for germination, it is recommended to wrap the seeds in a damp cloth. When the sprouts break through, plant them in pots;
- for two seeds, one pot of small diameter. The best soil for seedlings: humus, peat, sawdust, sod land;
- before germination, the pot must be covered with cling film. After the sprouts appear, place them closer to the window in a sunny place.
Seedlings are planted in late spring - early summer. Landing rules:
- Saplings should be placed at a distance of 0.7 m. Between rows 0.9-1 m. Width. Plant in a checkerboard pattern.
- The variety prefers light soils that allow water to pass through well and warm up quickly. On the street t + 15 + 18C must be maintained.
- The seedlings are placed in the ground to a depth of 10 cm so that only two leaves remain on the surface.
- To insulate the soil, the garden is covered with foil until the first shoots form.
In the North, the berries are grown in greenhouses. Sown at the end of April. In a greenhouse, you need to warm the soil, thanks to the creation of several layers of hay, humus, nitrogen fertilizers.
Growing conditions
Proper feeding can significantly increase yields.... 2 weeks after planting the seedlings, you can enter the first portion of fertilizer: stir a solution of cow manure 0.5 l with 10 l of warm water. 1 liter of fertilizer is poured under each bush.
The second dressing is applied after another 2 weeks: mix superphosphate 40g, potassium chloride 30g, ammonium nitrate 10g, dilute everything in 10 liters of warm water. When flowers and ovaries appear on the bushes, you need to remove weak buds and leave 3-4 strong flowers.
Top dressing of the crop every 2 weeks can be done with infusion of freshly cut nettle. It is necessary to fill the leaves with water and let it brew for several days. Water the holes near the bushes.
Watering the watermelon Spark should be moderate. In the hot period, once every 5 days, in the moderate period - once every 7-10 days. In the active period of fruit development, watering should be reduced, and in greenhouse conditions, not water at all.
Features of this variety
Interesting Facts:
- The berry will grow better after legumes, cereals, cabbage.
- If there is too much nitrogen in the soil, the fruit will grow small.
- Fruits during ripening and growth should be periodically shifted. It is advisable to put foil under the watermelon so that one side does not rot.
- If there is an anthill in the garden next to a watermelon, then you must definitely get rid of it. Otherwise the harvest will be spoiled.
- You can keep the Ogonyok in the cellar for a month.
Diseases and pests
The main diseases of the fetus:
- Powdery mildew. Can be detected by white or yellow bloom on the leaves. Fruits become inedible and begin to rot, may slow down or not grow at all;
- Angular spotting. Leaves dry, holes appear, fruits disappear;
- Rot. It affects the roots, leads to the death of the plant and the fetus.
The following remedies will help get rid of diseases:
- process the area with a paste (potassium permanganate, water and crushed chalk);
- treat the areas with a solution of copper chloride;
- 65% Fentiuram solution;
- 0.1% Fundazol.
The most dangerous pests for the Fire are: aphids and wireworms. To combat insects, you can use the drug - Decis.
To enjoy the fruits of the Ogonyok watermelon, you need to learn how to properly grow seedlings and take care of the crop after planting in open ground. Then the harvest promises to be rich, and the fruits sweet and sugar.