It turns out that watermelons in Siberia can be grown even in open ground. For this, it is necessary to follow the recommendations of breeders and choose varieties specially bred for the northern regions. For Siberia, early-ripening species will be required, which include Sibiryak, Siberian Lights, Sweet, Spark, Ultra-Early.
Watermelons in Siberia are grown in seedlings. Since the plant is heat-loving, it is planted on raised beds, which are prepared from the fall. Seedlings are grown a month before it is transferred to the ground. First, seeds are prepared by soaking them in hot water (60 ° C). After the liquid has cooled to room temperature, the seeds must be removed and immersed for a quarter of an hour in a hydrogen peroxide solution (3%) for disinfection. You can also lower them into potassium permanganate.
Watermelon seeds are planted in prepared cups or other containers filled with soil, which is taken as any vegetable mixture soaked in a weak solution of potassium permanganate. Typically, the instructions for sowing are contained in a bag of seeds. Before germination of watermelon seeds, it is advisable to place the cups in a warm place, such as on a battery. Sprouts should appear in three days.
When the sun comes
nor, seedlings should be hardened daily, taking it to a terrace or balcony. In the early days, this is done for half an hour, increasing the duration of the walk by 10 minutes every day. This will allow the plant to get used to the sun.
While seedlings are developing at home, holes should be prepared on a site in a warm bed. They add humus, ash and sand in proportions of 2/1/1. Everything needs to be mixed well, spilled with water and covered with a glass for each hole to warm the soil.
To get watermelons in Siberia, it is necessary to transfer the seedlings to the beds from June 10, planting one plant in each hole. The interval between the shoots should be about 80 centimeters, between the rows - one and a half meters. At first, in order to protect against possible frosts on the soil, the entire ridge is covered with non-woven material. Watering during planting is carried out only with warm water.
A week later, watermelons should be fed with liquid mullein diluted with water at a concentration of 1 to 10. Since dry, hot summers rarely occur in Siberia, the berries are watered to a minimum. She does not like a lot of moisture. In August, hydration is completely stopped after feeding at the beginning of the month. To stimulate plants, phosphorus-potassium fertilizers are added to the soil.
Growing watermelons in Siberia, it is very important to timely form the stems. To do this, no more than three stems should be left on one plant, and all other stepsons should be pinched. If this is not done, then the nutrients and water will disperse in all their ovaries, as a result, the watermelon will go to the tops, and the fruits will not ripen.
In order not to rot the berries, it is necessary to put a plank under each fruit formation. The berry should be carefully flipped to the other side as it grows. Those watermelons that do not have time to ripen can be salted.