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Sugar Watermelon Kid is appreciated by both amateurs and professionals. This variety of melons and gourds is unpretentious - it can be grown even in a changeable climate, on cold soil, it does not need to be carefully looked after. Gardeners breed it in both northern and southern parts of Russia. It tastes in no way inferior to other varieties.
general characteristics
The Malysh variety got this name for its small size, quick ripening and sugar sweet taste. Description of the Malysh variety:
- watermelon weight on average from 4 to 6 kg;
- the shape is round, regular and even;
- the peel is dense, has a dark green color with black stripes that are hardly noticeable;
- inside the scarlet pulp is granular, juicy and loose;
- fruits can be stored for a long time and transported without damage over long distances;
- has good resistance to diseases (powdery mildew and anthracosis);
- there is no need for additional culinary processing of fruits before use.
Watermelon Sugar Baby
The Malysh variety is produced by the United States of America, and it is grown on the territory of Russia, Ukraine, and Moldova. This variety is used for industrial purposes, as well as a fodder crop for livestock. It is a source of pectin substances.
Features of the variety Kid
Watermelon Kid grow on fertile soils, drained and light. For this variety, a soil that is oversaturated with clay and black soil is unacceptable.
The length of the plant can reach 180 m. The roots are thin, have numerous branches, which allows this variety to easily endure dry weather. Seeds are small, dark brown in color.
Due to the fact that the vine grows long, experts advise to install a trellis on which the plant will rest.
After planting the seeds, the first shoots appear already on the 7th day. Under favorable weather conditions, the first fruits can be removed in late July - early August. The flowering period begins approximately 50 days after germination. Flowers are pollinated by bees and bumblebees.
Growing watermelon Sugar baby outdoors
It is possible to plant this variety both in an open place and in a greenhouse. It grows in both large and small areas. For planting, you should choose the southern and southeastern sides of the site.
The variety should not be planted near trees and shrubs, as they will create shade. Also, do not plant it next to zucchini, cucumbers and pumpkin. Plants will drown out each other.
The variety grows best where the radish grew last year. The substances it secretes will prevent spider mite infestation. It grows well with melons, herbs, corn, tomatoes, leeks, spinach and beans.
There are two ways to cultivate watermelons: seedling and non-seedling. For colder regions, the first method should be used. Sequencing:
- Plant the seeds in a special seedling box.
- Cover with foil, remove to a warm place.
- Raise the foil daily, aerating the soil.
Shoots appear in 5 days.
Watermelon Sugar Baby
To get a bountiful harvest, the seeds should also be prepared:
- Collect hollow seeds.
- Soak the seeds in water with a weak solution of potassium permanganate for 2 hours for disinfection.
- For a day, pour the seeds with water, the temperature of which is 50 degrees.
- Drain the water and blot the seeds with a napkin.
How to plant seedlings:
- Seedling holes should be made at a distance of 1.5-2 meters with a depth of 5 cm.
- Pour ash, humus, sand into the pits, pour warm water.
- Plant seedlings. It is impossible to plant too deeply, root decay is possible.
- Cover the wells with foil to warm up the earth for a while.
Watermelon Sugar Baby
The right time for planting is late April - early May, when the soil warms up to 10 degrees to a depth of 6-8 cm.
For the southern and central regions (Moscow region), you can use the planting method without seedlings. This requires:
- Plant seeds in late April - early May. Planting depth 2-3 cm.
- Close with foil.
- Remove protection after a week.
The sprouts should be constantly spud. To strengthen the root system, the lashes are sprinkled with earth. Weeding is done while the plant is still very small. You should not completely remove the weeds, they will protect the plant from the heat in dry weather.
If the summer is rainy, after the first small ovaries appear, the plant should be covered with a film. Excess moisture in the soil can harm the root system, which will greatly affect the yield.
If the watermelon is grown in a greenhouse, an ovary must be formed. To do this, all the shoots that grow from the sides are removed and leave a stem one and a half meters long. These actions are carried out in order to make the harvest richer. The stem is attached to the net.
Top dressing
A bed for a melon plant should be prepared in the fall. For this, the land is fertilized with potash and phosphorus fertilizers.
In the period of two or three leaves, it is worth feeding. For this, fertilizers are used only in liquid form: potassium-phosphorus and nitrogen. To increase the yield, it is necessary to alternate organic and mineral feeding.
Organic fertilizers can be of plant or animal origin. The best fertilizer of the latter type is manure or chicken droppings.
After feeding, the plant is watered. Fertilizers of animal origin alternate with plant feeding. For this, herbs are infused (best of all, hay, wood ash).
Watermelon Sugar Baby
Mineral fertilizers: phosphorus, magnesium, calcium, potassium, sulfur, nitrogen.
Nitrogen fertilization is introduced gradually so that all the strength of the plant does not go into greenery.
Watering
The variety does not like an abundance of moisture. It will take about 30 liters of water per square meter. To prevent the root system from freezing and rotting, the plant is watered with warm water. Watering is carried out in the evening so that the scorching sun does not burn the leaves.
Water the plant only during the flowering period and the appearance of ovaries. When the fruit begins to ripen, watering should be stopped so that the berry does not burst from excessive moisture.
During the period of prolonged precipitation, the fruits are covered with foil or glass. Bricks are placed under the ripe berry to keep the heat longer.
Collection
Towards the end of July - beginning of August, the first fruits can be harvested. To determine the ripeness of the fruit, you should pay attention to the following characteristics:
- Completely dry tail.
- With a slight squeezing of the berry, a characteristic grinding is heard.
Collection
Advantages and disadvantages
The advantages of the Sugar Baby variety include:
- unpretentiousness to weather conditions: frost-hardy, can grow in changeable climatic conditions;
- the fruits ripen quite quickly;
- the taste of the berry is sweet, sugar and juicy;
- fruits are well stored and transported over long distances;
- resistant to disease.
This variety grows so well that it has no drawbacks compared to others.
Due to its unpretentiousness, the Malysh variety can be grown across all territories of Russia - from Siberia to the Crimea. The ease of its cultivation, easy care and sweet taste of fruits containing a sufficient amount of sugar are noted. According to the reviews of those who have already practiced planting this variety, the Kid's watermelon fully meets the declared qualities, even if it was cool in the summer season and long rains continued.
