If the gardener wondered: "How to grow a watermelon in Siberia?" - then he should know some features of growing heat-loving plant varieties in conditions not very suitable for their life.
In the middle zone of Russia and in Siberia, the cultivation of various
gourds has long been no news. However, you can rarely find these plants on the beds at ordinary gardeners. As a rule, people grow varieties with small fruits and a mediocre taste, such as Sugar Baby, American selection watermelon, also known as Sugar Baby, Sibiryak and Ogonyok, species bred by domestic breeders. It is believed that they give the best watermelon seeds for growing it in unsuitable conditions. Usually, the cultivation of melons and gourds is perceived by gardeners as a form of eccentricity, and not a real opportunity to get large and tasty fruits from mid-summer to late autumn.
There is a significant difference between how
to grow a watermelon in the suburbs, and how to do it in Siberia. The growth process begins in mid-April, the seeds are soaked for 20 minutes in a solution of manganese, and then placed in a growth stimulator or a mixture of micronutrients. In it, future sprouts remain for a day. It is also necessary to ensure that the ambient temperature does not fall below 30 degrees. The secret of
how to grow watermelon in Siberia is the technology of seed hardening. To do this, they are stored at variable temperatures for a week. Day in the refrigerator, and at night in the room.
For germinating seedlings, it is recommended to use small pots up to 7 centimeters high and filled with fertile soil. There is a trick in how to grow a watermelon in Siberia, it consists in breaking off the top of the seed shell before planting. Thus, the “tail” of the embryo is exposed, and it becomes much easier for the plant to give the first shoots. With proper temperature conditions, the results of this action can be seen in just a few days.
Of great importance is getting strong seedlings. One of the most crucial moments for this is the period of 4-5 days after the start of seedlings. After the appearance of cotyledonous leaves, seedlings should be placed in a warm place and be sure to feed the young plant with a weak solution of potassium permanganate and trace elements.
Planting seedlings should be done immediately after the end of the frost, in the first week of June. For planting, you should allocate a plot of land at least 3m wide. One of the features of how to grow a watermelon in Siberia is the application of compost and humus per 10 kg per 1 sq. M. The use of manure is not welcome.
For a guaranteed harvest, the landing should be covered with a non-woven black material. This will give your plant the necessary amount of heat for the growth and ripening of the fruit.
After the beginning of flowering, which usually occurs in late June, it is necessary to pollinate the plants. This must be done manually, otherwise all efforts will be wasted. It is also necessary to start plucking the whip after the beginning of the fruit ovary and cut off the side shoots as they appear.
The first fruits can be obtained already a month after the ovaries.