We all are well aware of the invaluable benefits of fruits and berries that ripen in the summer and early fall. They can not only be consumed raw, but also home-made. In today's article, we will tell you where watermelons grow and what these fruits are for.
A brief excursion into history
The birthplace of this sweet striped berry is Africa. According to most botanists, the center of its origin is the Kalahari desert. To this day, wild thickets of this fruit are found to this day.
Those who do not know the place where watermelons grow will be surprised to realize that modern cultivated fruits are very different from those that were known four thousand years ago. In those days they were bitter in taste, and in size they approximated to grapefruits. Around the year 2000 BC, this fruit was first found by the ancient Egyptians, who began to actively ennoble it.
Watermelon came to Russia from India in about the 8-10th century. Initially, it began to be grown in the Volga region, but by the 17th century it had spread widely to other regions of the country.
Valuable properties of the berry
Those who want to understand where watermelons grow will be interested to know how they are useful. First of all, this fetus optimizes the digestive system. Fiber contained in its pulp contributes to the active growth and development of beneficial microflora.
Watermelon is considered one of the main sources of alkaline substances necessary to neutralize the excess of acids that enter the human body along with bread, meat, fish and eggs. Folic acid contained in fruits helps to get rid of cardiovascular diseases and is actively involved in the production of amino acids. In addition, watermelon pulp is rich in iron salts. Therefore, it is recommended for people suffering from anemia.
Where do watermelons grow?
In Russia, they are cultivated on an industrial scale in the Volga and Southern Urals. For a long period, the Astrakhan and Volgograd melon growers could not decide which of these two regions has the right to be called the domestic watermelon capital. The dispute was resolved several years ago. The end of the feud was put by the head of the Ministry of Agriculture Alexei Gordeev. It was he who signed the decree, according to which the Astrakhan region became the Russian center for the cultivation of this berry.
Those who want to understand where watermelons grow in the world will be interested in the fact that their plantations are found in many countries with a warm climate. The cultivation of this fruit has long been engaged in the inhabitants of Thailand, Greece, Egypt and Spain.
Yellow pulp fruits
In appearance, they are very similar to ordinary watermelons. The only difference is the presence of a darker color and slightly pronounced bands. Sometimes on sale you can see completely yellow berries. The color of the pulp is reflected in its taste. This berry is very useful for human health, but it contains less sugar.
Those who do not know where yellow watermelons grow will be interested in the fact that the shade of these fruits is due to the presence of carotenoids, which positively affect the intercellular metabolism. The flesh of an unusual shade is also rich in vitamin A, iron, ascorbic acid, calcium and fiber. Thanks to such an interesting composition, yellow watermelon helps to improve vision, strengthen immunity, improve the condition of hair, nails and bones.
In the summer months, round yellow watermelons are grown in most European countries. Residents of Asian countries harvest oblong fruits in winter. In Russia, they also developed their own variety, called Lunar. Its taste resembles several fruits at the same time (lemon, melon and avocado). The most extensive plantations of this unusual berry are located in Astrakhan.
Growing watermelons in greenhouses
To erect a structure in which the fruits will ripen is recommended in early spring. The best time to prepare the greenhouse is March and April.
Having figured out where the watermelons grow, it should be noted that they need to be planted no earlier than the end of May. The beds should be placed along the walls of the greenhouse. The width of one row should be no more than eighty centimeters. It is important to ensure that there is a distance of one meter between neighboring plants.
Before disembarking, it is necessary to properly prepare the soil. To do this, it is fertilized with ammonium sulfate, humus, potassium salts, peat and superphosphate. In the first ten days, the air temperature in the greenhouse should not exceed thirty degrees.
Fertilizing and caring for fruits
From the moment when the lash has grown to twenty-five centimeters, it must be fertilized. The first feeding should consist of mullein or chicken droppings. The second is carried out with ammonium nitrate. Do this shortly before budding. The third time the plants are fertilized before the formation of the ovary. For this, a solution is prepared consisting of mullein (1: 6) or chicken droppings (1:10).
Those who already know where watermelons grow will be interested to know that exclusively warm water is used for their watering. It is important that it penetrates through the ground, and not through the leaves or stems. Watering plants is recommended after top dressing.
To attract pollinating insects, you can spray the plantings with a solution based on honey or sugar. In some cases, this process is carried out manually. Pollen taken from a male flower is transferred to female.
On one plant should be no more than six ovaries. To tie watermelons, you can use wire trellis. They are pulled at a distance of about half a meter from each other. After the length of the stem reaches forty centimeters, it is tied to the trellis. It is recommended to remove those ovaries and shoots that are located below. Fruits grown to the size of a large apple are stacked in a grid and attached to a stretched wire.
It is important to systematically ventilate the greenhouse in which watermelons are grown. Otherwise, increased humidity can provoke various diseases of plantings. Harvesting is recommended four days after the last watering.