Overview of varieties of watermelons of different ripening periods. The best varieties of watermelons with a photo and description What form of watermelon does not exist
Watermelon is very popular throughout the entire post-Soviet space. In Russia, a large amount of this gourd is grown.
Sometimes it seems that a huge berry has always grown in our latitudes. In fact, they are fighting for the title of "homeland of watermelon" South Africa and South America, where the plant is still found in the wild.
This green striped berry with red flesh really has something to brag about, so strong that it is referred not only to food, but also to folk remedies. In this article we will tell you in more detail about all the secrets of watermelon.
Common misconception
There are many myths about watermelon. Botanists and ordinary people argue:
- is it a fruit or a vegetable;
- watermelon fruit - berry or pumpkin;
- you can grow watermelon only in tropical countries;
- the color of the pulp of a ripe watermelon must be scarlet.
The entire life cycle of this herbaceous plant takes place in one year. Sowing seeds in the spring, in the fall you can get a harvest of ripe fruits with huge amount new seeds.
The stem of the watermelon is thin, spreads along the ground, the leaves rise above the ground on long petioles. To fill the huge fruits with cell juice, the plant has a branched root system, which is able to absorb moisture from the ground even in very dry areas.
It is interesting: this plant was brought to Russia around the 10th century, the fruits were served as a delicacy on the tables of the nobility. Moreover, they were used quite unusually, as a rule, in a soaked, boiled and salted form. The taste of ripe and juicy pulp was appreciated when the watermelon spread widely throughout the country. Especially tasty fruits are grown in the Lower Volga region.
Watermelon fruits are very different in various parameters depending on the variety. Wikipedia gives the name to the fruit of the watermelon - pumpkin, in some literature there is a name - a false berry.
According to many descriptions, these fruits are similar, although according to the botanical classification, the name "pumpkin" would be more correct. It even sounds in the name of the family to which the watermelon belongs.
Grow watermelons on melons in open field in areas with a warm climate, for example, the Volga region, although some varieties grow in more, for example.
Variety of watermelons
Watermelons are very diverse in many ways, breeders have bred unusual varieties that may not look like a typical watermelon.
Varieties of watermelon are divided into table varieties (they are for direct consumption), there are varieties that are used to make candied fruit, and fodder - as animal feed.
1. The form.
Watermelons are not only round, there are varieties in which the fruits are ellipsoid or cylindrical. These forms can be obtained naturally. But human thought does not stand still.
It is interesting: In Japan, they figured out how to grow a square watermelon. When the fruits are still small, they are placed in special cubic molds; during growth, the entire volume of the mold is filled. Such watermelons, in addition to their attractive appearance, favorably highlight the possibility of compact placement during sale and transportation. In Egypt, watermelons are sold that resemble a pyramid in shape.
2. Peel color.
The color of the watermelon rind varies from almost white and yellow to dark green. Often the surface has a pattern in the form of stripes and spots.
Orange watermelon variety "Medoc"
3. Flesh color.
The familiar pink color of the pulp is not the only one. Depending on the variety, the color may be:
- white;
- yellow;
- orange;
- scarlet;
- crimson;
- saturated red.
For example, edible ones can be obtained by crossing a wild yellow watermelon with a modern cultivated species.
4. The thickness of the cortical layer.
In addition to different colors, the watermelon rind has a different thickness. There are thick-walled and thin-walled varieties.
Watermelon variety "Skorik"
5. Ripening dates.
You can choose the most delicious fruit by the dried stalk, this indicates a natural ripening process. The surface of a delicious watermelon is glossy. A specialist can distinguish a ripe fruit by sound when tapped. By maturity, watermelons are divided into:
What is the difference between varieties and hybrids
If you decide to start growing watermelons, you are faced with the problem of choosing seeds. When buying, pay attention to the labeling, make sure you buy seeds of a specific variety or hybrid.
The advantage of varietal seeds is the stability of traits in an adult plant and subsequent generations obtained from grown seeds. All characteristics of the plant are preserved regardless of propagation - by seeds or vegetative.
Hybrids are created on the way to breeding a new variety. Consumers encourage innovation in creation. Their advantages are in the combination of several features that were characteristic of the parent individuals.
Vegetative propagation retains the characteristics of the parent plant. And when propagated by seeds, it is not possible to predict the properties of the plant.
It is important: among hybrid seeds, give preference to f1 watermelon seeds, that is, first-generation hybrids. The offspring obtained from these seeds combines the best features, the plants are more productive, resistant to most diseases and pests of watermelons.
Modern varieties of watermelons
Watermelon variety "Spark"
1. Twinkle.
- They have a wonderful sweet taste, the flesh is loose, tender.
- Gets a lot of positive feedback from tasters.
- Watermelons ripen early, after 80 days you can get a crop.
- The average weight is 2.5 kg, the seeds are small brown.
- Fruits of the correct spherical shape with a smooth surface.
2. Crimson suite.
- The advantage is large size fruits - up to 7 kg.
- pulp scarlet color without veins.
- High resistance to pests and diseases.
- Handles transportation well.
3. Charleston Grey.
- The fruits are oval.
- The weight of one watermelon can reach 12 kg.
- The skin color is light green.
- The pulp is very sweet and tasty with a minimum of seeds.
- Long term storage.
Watermelon varieties "Sugar baby"
4. Sugar baby.
- The fruits are round.
- It has excellent keeping quality.
- The pulp is sugar.
As you can see, the watermelon, widespread and beloved by everyone, still keeps a lot of mysteries: from the variety of shapes, the color of the pulp and rind to the taste. Try, discover new tastes and enjoy the variety of watermelon varieties!
Below, we invite you to watch a video about interesting facts about watermelons:
Until recently, watermelon was a real miracle from the South, and long queues lined up at retail outlets for it. Now you won’t surprise anyone with a watermelon, the price for them is low, and if you have a desire, you can grow a watermelon even in the center of Russia.
Thanks to the work of breeders of varieties and hybrids of this crop, 210 pieces are quite enough in the State Register of Breeding Achievements. Of course, it makes no sense to describe all of them. We decided to tell you about those watermelons that can, firstly, be purchased at retail, and secondly, which have already gained popularity in the market.
The best new varieties of watermelon:
Azhur Suite F1, the originator of the hybrid agricultural company SeDeK, is an F1 hybrid that differs in medium early term maturation, weaving with an extended main lash. The leaf blades of the plant are medium, grayish-greenish, dissected and slightly wrinkled. Watermelon has a rounded shape, slightly prickly dark green stripes of medium width, located on a green background. The mass of pumpkin reaches 8 kilograms. The crust is medium in thickness, conceals scarlet pulp, medium in density, good taste. The seeds of the hybrid are small, brownish in color with a dotted pattern. FROM square meter you can collect up to six kilograms of fruit (600 centners per hectare). After harvesting, the fruit can lie without damage for one month.cultivar Erofei, the originator of the variety, the Gavrish company, is a variety that is distinguished by an average ripening period, weaving with a long main lash. Leaf blades are large, grayish-greenish, dissected and wrinkled. Watermelon has a rounded shape and a green background, devoid of stripes. The mass of the fruit of the variety reaches 6 kilograms. The crust is medium in thickness, conceals a dark pink-red flesh, very dense, of good taste. The seeds are small, brownish in color with a dotted and spotted pattern. From a square meter, you can collect up to 4.5 kilograms of fruits of the variety (450 centners per hectare). After harvesting, the fruit can lie without damage for a month. Of the undoubted advantages, it is worth noting the excellent transportability of products.
Star, the originator of the Poisk agricultural firm, is a variety characterized by a medium-early ripening period, weaving with a long main lash. Watermelon leaf blades are large, greenish, dissected and slightly wrinkled. Watermelon has a cylindrical shape and a green or dark green background, devoid of stripes, but with spots. The mass of the fruit of the variety reaches 12 kilograms. The crust is medium in thickness, conceals a pinkish-reddish pulp, medium in density, excellent taste. The seeds are large, brownish in color with a dotted pattern. From a square meter, you can collect up to five kilograms of fruit (500 centners per hectare). After harvesting, the fruit can lie without spoilage for up to 50 days.
Uchkuduk, the originator of the variety, the Gavrish company, is a variety that is distinguished by a medium early ripening period, weaving with a long main lash. Watermelon leaf blades are medium, grayish-greenish, dissected and wrinkled. The watermelon has a rounded shape and a light green background, devoid of stripes, but with spots. The mass of pumpkin reaches 6 kilograms. The rind is very thin, conceals a pinkish pulp, medium in density, good taste. The seeds of the variety are large, brownish in color with a dotted pattern. From a square meter, you can collect up to five kilograms of fruit. After harvesting, the fruit can lie without damage for a month.
Peasant F1, the originator - SeDeK agricultural firm, is a hybrid characterized by early ripening, wicker with a small main lash. The leaf blades of the plant are medium, oblong, greenish, medium dissected. Watermelon has a rounded shape, slightly prickly dark green narrow stripes located on a light green background. The mass of the fruit of the hybrid reaches 4 kilograms. The crust is medium in thickness, conceals a reddish pulp, medium in density, excellent taste. The seeds are small, brownish in color with a spotted and dotted pattern. The maximum yield is 12 kilograms per square meter. After harvesting, the fruit can lie without damage for about a month. Zoned in the middle lane Russia. Joy F1, the originator of the SeDeK agricultural firm, is a hybrid characterized by early ripening, weaving with a small main lash. Leaf blades are small, grayish-greenish, strongly dissected. Watermelon has a rounded shape, slightly prickly dark green narrow stripes located on a light green background. The mass of the fetus reaches 3 kilograms. The crust is medium in thickness, conceals a pinkish pulp, medium in density, excellent taste. The seeds of the hybrid are small, brownish in color with a dotted and spotted pattern. The maximum yield is 13 kilograms per square meter. After harvesting, the fruit can lie without damage for a little more than a month. Zoned in the middle lane Russia.Suga Baby, the originator of the Poisk agricultural firm, is a variety characterized by early ripening, wickerwork with a main lash of short length. Leaf blades are small, grayish-greenish, strongly dissected. The watermelon has a round shape, stripes of medium width, colored darker than the background, which has a dark green color. The mass of pumpkin reaches 2 kilograms. The peel is thin, fraught with reddish pulp, very soft, excellent taste. The seeds are small, brownish in color with a spotted pattern. The maximum yield is 200 centners per hectare. Of the undoubted advantages of the variety, it should be noted its resistance to low spring temperatures air. Zoned in the middle lane Russia.
American F1, originator of the hybrid agrofirm Poisk. Approved for use in Nizhnevolzhsky region. This is a triploid, characterized by a medium early ripening period (up to 70 days), weaving with a main lash of medium length. The leaf blades of the plant are medium, greenish, dissected. Watermelon has a broadly elliptical shape, slightly prickly green stripes of medium width, located on a light green background. There is a slight spotting. The mass of the fetus reaches 5 kilograms. The crust is thin, conceals a scarlet pulp, medium in density, good taste. The seeds of the hybrid are small, sometimes they are not at all. The yield reaches 240 centners per hectare. After harvesting, the fruit can lie without damage for a little more than a month. Of the undoubted advantages should be called high drought resistance, resistance to low temperatures, good transportability. Barrel of honey, the originator of the Aelita agricultural firm, is a variety characterized by a medium early ripening period, weaving with an extended main lash. The leaf blades of the plant are medium, grayish-greenish, strongly dissected and slightly wrinkled. Watermelon has a cylindrical shape, blurred, dark green, wide stripes on a green background. The mass of pumpkin varieties reaches 3 kilograms. The crust is medium in thickness, fraught with pinkish flesh, rather dense, of good taste. Seeds are small, cream-colored, devoid of pattern. From a square meter, you can collect up to two kilograms of fruit (200 centners per hectare). After harvesting, the fruit can be transported over long distances.
Heather honey F1 North Caucasian and Nizhnevolzhsky regions. This is an F1 hybrid, characterized by early ripening (from 68 days), weaving with a main lash of medium length. Leaf blades of the plant are large, greenish, dissected and slightly wrinkled. The watermelon has a rounded shape, slightly prickly green and very narrow stripes, located on a light green background. The mass of pumpkin hybrid reaches 7 kilograms. The crust is medium in thickness, conceals scarlet pulp, medium in density, excellent taste. The seeds are small, brownish in color with a dotted and spotted pattern. The yield reaches 375 centners per hectare. After harvesting, the fruit can lie without damage for a little more than a month. Of the positive properties, one can also note excellent transportability, drought resistance, resistance to anthracnose and fusarium.
Volgogradets KRS 90, the originator of the variety is the agricultural firm Poisk. Approved for use in North Caucasian and Nizhnevolzhsky regions. This is a variety that is characterized by early ripening (from 65 days), weaving with an extended main lash. The leaf blades of the plant are medium, greenish, dissected. Watermelon has a broadly elliptical shape, slightly prickly, very wide green stripes and faint spots on a light green background. The mass of the fetus reaches 8 kilograms. The rind is thick, conceals a dark scarlet pulp, medium in density, good taste. The seeds are small, brownish in color with a dotted and spotted pattern. The yield of the variety reaches 478 centners per hectare. Of the advantages, it should be noted high transportability, drought resistance, resistance to short-term temperature drops. Deli F1, the originator of the hybrid agricultural firm SeDeK, is a hybrid characterized by early ripening, weaving with a main lash of medium length. The leaf blades of the plant are medium, greenish, dissected. Watermelon has a broadly elliptical shape, slightly prickly dark green narrow stripes located on a light green background. The mass of the fetus reaches 4 kilograms. The crust is thin, conceals a scarlet pulp, medium in density, excellent taste. The seeds of the hybrid are small, brownish in color with a dotted and spotted pattern. From a square meter, you can collect up to five kilograms of fruit. After harvesting, the fruit can lie without damage for a month. Transportability is weak, but high drought resistance.Green torpedo F1, the originator of the hybrid is the Gavrish company. Approved for use by North Caucasian and Nizhnevolzhsky regions. This is an F1 hybrid, characterized by early ripening (from 64 days), weaving with a main lash of medium length. Leaf blades of the plant are large, greenish, dissected and slightly wrinkled. Watermelon has a cylindrical shape, prickly dark green, narrow, stripes located on a green background. The mass of the fruit of the hybrid reaches 6 kilograms. The crust is medium in thickness, conceals scarlet pulp, medium in density, good taste. The seeds are quite large, dark brown in color with a dotted and spotted pattern. The yield reaches 330 centners per hectare. After harvesting, the fruit can lie without damage for a little more than a month. Transportability is high, the hybrid is resistant to fusarium, anthracnose, heat-resistant and drought-resistant.
Irinka F1, the originator of the hybrid agricultural company "SeDeK", is an F1 hybrid, characterized by early ripening, weaving with a main lash of medium length. The leaf blades of the plant are medium, greenish, dissected and slightly wrinkled. The watermelon has a rounded shape, slightly prickly green and narrow stripes, located on a light green background. The mass of pumpkin reaches 6 kilograms. The crust is thin, conceals a scarlet pulp, medium in density, good taste. The seeds of the hybrid are small, black in color with a dotted and spotted pattern. From a square meter, you can collect up to six kilograms of fruit. After harvesting, the fruit can lie without damage for about a month. Watermelons can be transported over short distances (up to 50 km). Carlson, the originator of the SeDeK agricultural firm, is a variety characterized by a medium-early ripening period, weaving with a main lash of medium length. The leaf blades of the plant are medium, greenish, dissected and slightly wrinkled. Watermelon has a round shape, slightly prickly green, very wide, stripes located on a green background. The mass of fruits of the variety reaches 7 kilograms. The crust is medium in thickness, conceals scarlet pulp, medium in density, good taste. The seeds are small, brownish in color with a dotted and spotted pattern. From a square meter, you can collect up to four kilograms of fruit. After harvesting, the fruit can lie without damage for a month. Transportability is good.These are the best new varieties and hybrids of watermelon, where there is no indication of tolerance regions, the originator indicates “all regions” everywhere. If any of you, our dear readers, grew any of these varieties or another, write us about it in the comments, it will be interesting and useful for everyone.
"How to choose a watermelon?" - a question arises in the minds of thousands of people as soon as the green-striped beauties begin to appear on the shelves of shops and markets. The task is not easy, but solvable.
It is enough just to remember a few proven ways to identify a ripe and sweet watermelon.
There are a number of characteristics that will help you choose a truly ripe and sweet specimen from a pile of alluring striped fruits. Here is the cherished list:
- the size;
- spot on the side;
- safety;
- tapping sound;
- color and structure of the pulp;
- season;
- the appearance of the crust;
- "half" of watermelon.
In addition, there are quite popular “signs” of watermelon ripeness among the people, which do not really work and will not help you in such a task as choosing a ripe watermelon. The most common of these is the myth that a ripe watermelon should have a dry tail.
Many try to choose a fruit that is not too large. Someone fears that it will be too heavy and difficult to carry, and some are afraid that the watermelon has become large only because of the abundance of nitrates in it.
But after all, varieties of watermelons are different, and in some varieties, the size of the fruit can reach 20 kilograms. Therefore, when choosing, it is better to give preference to a medium-sized watermelon. The rule of the golden mean works in this case too.
Ripe watermelon do not hide "cheeks"
For reference: the “cheek” is a small light spot on the side of a watermelon, which forms in the place where the watermelon lay when ripe. The spot is not a sign of illness or immaturity, just that the sun has not touched this area of the crust.
So, in how to choose a good watermelon, a look at the light spot on the rind will help. Everything is simple here: the more yellow it has, the better.
But buying a watermelon with a white circle on its side, you run the risk of running into a tasteless product.
The size of the spot also requires attention. Be aware that a large spot indicates that the watermelon has been ripening for a long time in not too warm conditions. Because of this, the fruit loses its taste and becomes less juicy.
When buying a watermelon in the market or from the back of a car on the side of the road, pay special attention to this characteristic.
Watermelon should never have the following flaws:
- cracks;
- dents;
- incisions;
- rotted areas (even very small ones!).
The fact is that the juicy and nutritious pulp of a watermelon is an ideal breeding ground for bacteria, which, together with air and roadside dust, can get inside in abundance.
Eating watermelon with such a surprise can lead to poisoning and gastrointestinal disorder. The same applies to cut watermelons, so do not try to save money by buying not a whole watermelon, but only a half. Such frugality can cost you dearly.
The most commonly used method for testing watermelon for ripeness is tapping. Yes, here's the problem: everyone knocks, but few people remember what the sound of a ripe fruit should be. So remember: a ripe and juicy watermelon makes a sonorous, booming sound, and an unripe one makes a deaf sound.
An overripe watermelon also sounds dull, in which there is already too much moisture and it has begun to sour. It is also better to refuse such a purchase. Thus, a voiced sound is good, a deaf sound is bad.
To be sure, you can also squeeze the copy you like with your hands. A slight crackle indicates readiness for use. The main thing is not to overdo it.
The color and structure of the pulp
And this is already a characteristic that will help you determine the ripeness of the fruit after cutting it. If the purchase is made in a supermarket, you can see watermelon halves on the counter.
They are wrapped in cling film, which almost eliminates the ingress of bacteria into the pulp, and gives you the opportunity to study the product in detail. So, how to choose a delicious watermelon according to appearance pulp?
Two main positions can be distinguished: color and structure. The color of the pulp should be pinkish.
The scarlet color indicates the presence of nitrates or that the watermelon is overripe. Both are not in his favor. The structure should be porous, granular. Such watermelons are sometimes referred to as "sugar".
sale season
As a rule, watermelons start selling almost from the beginning of summer. However, if you want to get enough of a real southern fruit, and not a product of chemicals, you will have to wait until about mid-August.
Of course, there are also early varieties, but it still takes time to transport them. You may be lucky and the July watermelon will indeed turn out to be sweet, but it is not known how useful it will be.
Ripe watermelon is easy to distinguish among fellows, paying attention to the appearance of the peel.
Here A few key features of a delicious watermelon:
- the stripes forming the pattern must be clear;
- the peel is glossy;
- the crust is hard, it is impossible to damage it without effort;
- when the colored layer of the peel is damaged, a recognizable smell of fresh grass appears.
Signs indicating immaturity or disease of the fetus:
- the pattern is broken or uncharacteristic, the stripes are blurry;
- dullness of the peel;
- the crust can be easily damaged even with a fingernail.
Choose watermelon with more space between the stripes, as they are considered to be sweeter.
"Sex" of watermelon
It is believed that girl watermelons are sweeter than boy watermelons, although the division itself is arbitrary. How to choose a watermelon girl? It is enough to look at the speck left in the place where the flower once was.
If the spot is flat and rather large, then it is a girl. In male watermelons, the spot is convex and smaller in size.
This division has nothing to do with biology and exists only to simplify the selection process. Indeed, watermelons-girls in practice turn out to be more juicy and sweet. There is an assumption that this is due to the characteristics of pollination.
Is a dry tail a sign of ripeness?
It is believed that when a watermelon, ripening, can no longer take in nutrients and moisture, and under its own weight separates from the bush. In general, the theory is correct, but it is broken by the fact that, in practice, watermelon can be separated from the food path before cutting.
And the tail dries out in 3 days, so a green watermelon with a dry tail may well lie on the counter.
If you still do not want to give up this method, pay attention to the tip of the tail. Even with a dried stalk, you can determine whether it was cut or broken off naturally.
All characteristics listed above are general.
It does not hurt to highlight several varieties of watermelons that fall on the tables more often than others, and emphasize their features.
- Watermelons Kherson. Kherson sugar watermelons never grow too large, their weight does not exceed 10 kg. If you are shown a twenty-kilogram giant and they say that he is from Kherson, do not believe it. It is either of a different variety, or grew on some nitrates. The appearance of watermelons of this variety is classic: bright light stripes, an oblong shape, soft pinkish flesh and a rather thin peel.
- Crimean Crimson Gloria. Watermelons of this variety can be really big. The weight of one copy on average can range from 10 to 17 kg. In addition, watermelons of this variety are able to withstand long-term transportation. They are also grown in the south of Russia. In appearance, they resemble Kherson ones, but they differ in a thick skin and a large weight.
- hybrid chill. The peculiarity of watermelons of this variety is that they can be stored for a very long time, until the New Year. It is only necessary to provide the fetus with comfortable storage conditions. To do this, place it in a dry, dark place. However, representatives of this variety appear on the market only in early September, as they ripen late.
- Skorik. Watermelons of this variety are early and appear on the shelves among the first. You can distinguish them by the dark green uniform color of the skin and low weight - no more than 7 kg.
- Photon. It also applies to early varieties and differs from Skorik only in that it has a light skin with pronounced stripes.
Market or shop?
Wherever you buy this juicy berry, this place must meet certain requirements. Both for the market and for the supermarket they have their own.
Watermelon on the market
To begin with, it should be noted that the market does not mean a spontaneous accumulation of tents near your entrance, but a territory specially designated for this purpose. And the tents by the road are not even considered, since buying a watermelon in them, you can get severe poisoning instead of enjoying the taste.
So, The following requirements must be met by the owner of a trading place engaged in the sale of watermelons:
- the presence of a canopy that protects watermelons from direct sunlight;
- distance from the roadway;
- the storage tray is located at a height of at least 20 cm from the ground;
- availability of a certificate of the Epidemiological Surveillance Service for each batch of goods.
Watermelon in the store
When buying a watermelon in a store check the following points:
- watermelons are not stored outdoors, under the sun or near the roadway;
- storage pallets are located at a height of at least 20 cm from the floor and do not have any damage;
- availability of necessary documents on the purchase of goods from trusted suppliers.
Now you know what the perfect watermelon looks like, and you can safely go in search of it. And where to buy and which variety to choose - it's up to you.
Mother of two children. I have been running a household for more than 7 years - this is my main job. I like to experiment, I constantly try various means, methods, techniques that can make our life easier, more modern, richer. I love my family.
Astrakhan(1977) - classic oval-rounded striped watermelon. Yield records in Soviet times were set on it. On irrigation it was possible to get up to 120 tons from 1 ha. Ripens 70-85 days after germination. The fruit is round or slightly oblong in shape, with a smooth surface, weighing 8-10 kg. The bark is green, the pattern is in the form of spike-like stripes of dark green color. The flesh is bright red, very sweet and juicy. The most delicious and sweet fruits ripen in late August - early September. In a severe drought, voids can form in the fruits that do not affect the taste. Resistant to disease, tolerates transportation well, stored for two to two and a half months.
blessed (2010)
Bykovsky 22(1955) - mid-season (85-90 days) variety of the Bykovskaya melon experimental breeding station (Russia). The fruits are spherical, smooth, medium in size, weighing 5-14 kg. The stripes are narrow, slightly spiky. The bark is flexible, durable, up to 1.5 cm thick. The flesh is bright pink, granular, sweet, juicy. Seeds are large and brown. The variety is resistant to powdery mildew and Fusarium, transportable. The keeping quality is average.
Volzhanin(2004) - a transportable variety, ripens on 80-85 days from the moment of germination. The plants are long climbing (the length of the main lash is more than 3 meters), with narrow-lobed, strongly dissected leaves, resistant to drought, low temperatures and diseases. The fruit is broadly elliptical in shape, with a smooth surface, weighing 8-20 kg. The bark is light green with dark green spiny stripes of medium width, occasionally closing. The bark is of medium thickness, strong, bending when pressed. The flesh of the fruit is intense red, granular, tender, juicy, very sweet. The seeds are small, brown, with a pattern in the form of a black rim, spout and specks. Weight of 1000 seeds 45 - 50g. Yield 300 kg per hundred square meters.
Pulse(2004) - a promising productive variety (fruits ripen in 75-80 days), resistant to drought. The plant is long-branched, the length of the main lash is up to 4 m. Fruits weighing 7-14 kg, with a strong bark, red, very sweet pulp, are well transported. The value of the variety is friendly ripening, the variety ripens together, and if you immediately remove the first ripened fruits, the plants will give a second wave of harvest. The variety is useful to gardeners who decide to make money on the sale of watermelons.
Caravan F1(2009) - a hybrid of the company "Nunems" (USA). Fruits are oblong-oval, green-striped, with red pulp. Well transported.
Crimson Wonder(2006) - harvest variety, ripens 85-90 days after germination. The fruits are large, weighing 10-12 kg, sweet, with excellent red, tender, with small seeds, pulp. The bark is light green with dark stripes. Fruit transportability is good. The variety is disease resistant.
Crimson Record F1 (2010)
Caroline F1(2010) - a hybrid with elongated fruits, green bark with stripes, red flesh.
Candy F1(2011) - early hybrid with oval striped fruits (type Crimson Sweet). The fruits are uniform average weight- 9-12 kg, but under optimal growing conditions can reach 15-17 kg. The unusually powerful growth energy, especially in the initial phases of plant growth, allows you to get a decent harvest even under bad weather conditions. With sparse crops (or with sufficient nutrition), it simultaneously forms several fruits on one bush. High taste qualities the pulp is combined with its delicate granular structure, an unusually sweet taste is a feature of this hybrid. Seeds are small, dark brown. Suitable for cultivation in open ground and under film covers of all types. This hybrid forms a powerful leaf cover, which perfectly protects the fruits from the sun.
Kimara(2001) - a variety of the company "Easy Semen", gives a harvest for 85-90 days from the emergence of seedlings. The main stem is long. The fruit is broadly elliptical, weighing 4.8-6.6 kg. The bark is thick. The pulp is dark red, dense, tasty (sugar content 8.1%). Seeds brown, small. Seed yield - 0.5%. Fruits after harvesting remain marketable for 2.5 weeks.
Lotus(1990) - a variety of the All-Russian Research Institute of irrigated melon growing. Ripens on 70-77 days from the moment of emergence of shoots. Productivity at an irrigation of 400-500 kg/sotka. Fruits weighing 3.5 - 4.0 kg, tasty (sugars up to 9%), keeping quality, can be stored for 60 days, transportable. Anthracnose resistant.
Madison F1(2010) - vigorous hybrid. Plants form a powerful vegetative mass, providing optimal foliar nutrition and protecting fruits from sunburn. On each lash grows up to three standard round-oval fruits 28x25cm in size, and weighing 10-13 kg. The thickness of the peel ensures good transportation over long distances. The pulp is rich red in color, tender, thin texture, high in sugars. The hybrid bears well on rich soils, with regular watering and a balanced diet.
Nelson F1 (2010)
Extraordinary(1993) - productive variety obtained by crossing varieties Charleston Gray and Melitopol. Spectacular large, weighing up to 15 kg, dark green, elongated, oval-cylindrical fruits with red tasty pulp ripen on the 85th day from the moment of germination. After removal, they are stored for a month. It tolerates stressful conditions, but in severe drought it can produce pear-shaped fruits. Responds well to watering.
Osceola(1993) - the crop begins to be harvested after 95-98 days from mass shoots. The plant is long-branched. The fruits are large, weighing up to 20 kg, with a strong bark and intense pink, sweet, tasty pulp. They tolerate transportation well, are stored for up to 3 months.
Palladin F1(2007) - a hybrid of the company "Sakata" (Japan). The fruits are large, round-oval, weighing up to 20 kg, with tasty, sweet pulp. They are not stored for a long time and require quick cleaning. Resistant to fusarium and anthracnose.
Kholodov's gift- medium-late transportable, maturing variety (95-110 days). The fruits are elongated-spherical, weighing 4-5 kg. The stripes are narrow, dark green, slightly spiny. The pulp is densely pink or raspberry, dense, juicy, sweet. Seeds are small, light brown. Weakly affected by powdery mildew, moderately by anthracnose. Not in the Register of the Russian Federation.
Spring(2004) - productive variety (up to 450 kg per hundred), resistant to fusarium, anthracnose and adverse conditions. The fruits ripen on the 85th day, stored for about 3 months.
Royal Jubilee F1- a hybrid of the company "Simenis" (USA-Holland) with elongated, exceptionally sweet and tasty, very large striped fruits. Ripens on the 95th day. Transportable. Not in the Register of the Russian Federation.
Svyatoslav (2009)
Celebration F1(2007) - one of the most vigorous and hardy hybrids of the Syngenta company (USA). The first fruits ripen on the 70th day from the moment of mass shoots. Seeds used for sowing are large, those that form in fruits are small. The fruits are elongated, green-striped, weighing 10-12 kg. The pulp is very bright, dense, tasty. Lies 10-12 days.
Sinchevsky(1991) - mid-season (85-95 days), maturing variety. The plant is long-branched. The fruits are large, spherical, weighing 6-18 kg. The flesh of the fruit is intensely pink, tender, very sweet. The bark is smooth, with rare mesh elements, light green in color and a pattern in the form of spiny, occasionally interlocking dark green stripes. The pulp is intensely raspberry, granular, tender, very sweet, juicy. Seeds are small, black. Without irrigation it gives up to 400 kg per hundred square meters, on irrigation - 600 kg.
Stimulus(1997) - mid-season variety (85-90 days) for pickling and fresh consumption in August and early September. Fruits weighing up to 15 kg, with very strong bark and bright pink, excellent taste pulp. Differs in stable productivity, good taste, transportability, keeping quality of fruits.
Favorite
(2010) - created at the Bykovskaya melon experimental breeding station. Similar to Kholodok, but more plastic to growing conditions, resistant to stress and ripens two weeks earlier.
Jubilee 72(1977) - mid-season (88-95 days) variety for outdoor cultivation. Fruits are elongated-spherical in shape, smooth with narrow, dark green stripes, weighing 3-10 kg. The flesh is intense pink, sweet, tender, granular. Seeds are large and creamy. Diseases are affected in a weak degree. The keeping quality is average, transportability is good.
Late varieties and hybrids of watermelon
Spring- a variety intended for cultivation in open ground, greenhouses, including winter ones, and tunnels. The leaves are large, the main lash is long, the lateral ones are of medium length. Well formed on the trellis. Differs in amicable fructification (harvesting of fruits is carried out in 105 days). Fruit weighing 2.0-3 kg, elongated-spherical, with a smooth surface. The background of the bark is olive green, the pattern is a dense, inconspicuous green grid. The flesh is bright red, granular, tender, sweet, juicy. Not in the Register of the Russian Federation.
Delight(2008) - excellent early variety. Ripens 95-100 days after germination. The plant is medium-sized. The fruit is round, weighing 5-9 kg. Surface with dark green stripes. The flesh is bright red, granular, tender, very sweet juicy.
Icarus(1999) is a drought-resistant, transportable high-yielding variety created at the Bykovskaya melon breeding experimental station. Ripens at 88-110 days. The main lash is long, up to 4 m. The fruit weighs 3-3.4 kg (up to 16 kg), dark green, with dark green faint stripes. The bark is very strong. The flesh is red with a raspberry tint, very sweet. Seeds small, brown. Harvest on dry land up to 165 kg per hundred square meters. The fruits are suitable for salting, have good transportability and keeping quality: they are stored in a cool room for about 5 months (until March). The variety is susceptible to anthracnose.
Bush 334(1997) - late-ripening (98-110 days) variety with limited shoot growth, large fruits and good yield. Unlike long-climbing watermelons, the bush plant consists of 3-5 shoots up to 80 cm long, therefore it does not take up much space on the melon. Only one fruit weighing up to 8 kg is formed on each stem. The bark is very strong, the flesh is pink, dense, granular, of good taste. The fruits have good transportability and keeping quality (until the New Year), are used fresh and for pickling. The variety is resistant to many diseases. A feature of bush watermelons is very strong seeds. Before sowing, they must be soaked.
Melania F1(2010) - a stress-resistant hybrid of the most demanded type of watermelon on the market. Early, ripens 80-82 days after germination. The plants are very healthy and adapt to different growing conditions. The fruits are oval, very uniform in size (23x40 cm), average weight 9-12 kg. The main color of the fruit is green, the stripes are wide, dark green. The flesh is dark red, crispy, the seeds are small. The fruits are well adapted for transportation. The recommended standing density is 9-10 thousand plants/ha.
Chill(1990) - the most common of the late-ripening domestic varieties. It was created at the Bykovskaya gourd experimental breeding station. The first fruits ripen in 100 days. The plant is powerful, with large leaves, long-leaved, the length of the main lash is more than 5 m, so the plants are placed according to the scheme 70x150 cm. green, medium width stripes and intense red, with a pink tint, very sweet flesh. Productivity - 300 kg per hundred square meters. The fruits do not overripe on melons, are well transported, stored for more than 3 months, provided that they were removed by hand, placed on racks with soft bedding in a dry room with a temperature of 0 + 10 ° C. The fruits are mostly consumed fresh, but they can also be salted and pickled. In a severe drought, after ripening, watermelons are slightly fried. Can be grown through seedlings (sowing seeds at the end of April). When grown in a greenhouse, the plants are tied to a trellis, all side shoots are removed to a height of 50 cm, the next ones are pinched over 1-3 leaves. Watering is moderate, especially during fruit ripening. Susceptible to an average degree to anthracnose, powdery mildew, fusarium.
Black Prince(2009) - mid-late (85-95 days from germination to maturity) variety intended for cultivation in film greenhouses and open ground, with excellent taste. The fruits are cylindrical, weighing 7-9 kg, with dark green, elastic bark of medium thickness and bright red, very sweet (sugar content up to 10.4%) pulp. Seeds medium, black. Sowing for seedlings is carried out at the end of April, they are planted in a permanent place at the age of 35 days. In a greenhouse, they are grown in the same way as Kholodok. Anniversary - a late-ripening variety of watermelon. The fruits are oval, 60 cm long and 30 cm in diameter. The pulp is fragrant. Not in the Register of the Russian Federation.
Watermelons have a unique composition, rich in vitamins and microelements, with juicy red or yellow flesh, with and without seeds. The choice is quite rich, because more than 2000 varieties of sweet berries have already been bred, and breeding work continues. Despite the fact that watermelon is traditionally considered a heat-loving crop, there are species that are grown even in Siberia. As a rule, watermelon is chosen according to the degree of sweetness, juiciness, ripeness, aroma and taste. Do not make a mistake with the choice and buy the most delicious watermelon, you can only study the features of the most the best varieties and varieties.
Astrakhan
One of the most popular and widespread, since Soviet times, a variety of gourds. Its main advantages are unpretentiousness in cultivation, the possibility of long-term storage, resistance to long-distance transportation. But this is not the most important thing, because watermelon has a sweet, rich taste, rich in vitamins, perfectly quenches thirst, and satisfies the needs of even experienced gourmets.
One of the most popular and widespread, since Soviet times, a variety of gourds
A ripe berry reaches 7–10 kg, has a round or slightly oval shape, with light yellow, slightly blurred stripes on a dark green background. The brighter the contrast between such stripes, the richer and tastier the watermelon. The flesh is dark red, juicy, with a strong, persistent aroma, black seeds and a very thick skin. In terms of ripening, Astrakhan belongs to mid-season watermelons. The original variety is grown only in southern regions, with a warm climate, but many hybrids of this species have been bred, suitable for harvesting in mid-latitudes. You can buy a real Astrakhan watermelon only during the ripening season, that is, in August-September, but not earlier.
spark
This Soviet early ripe variety is ideal for growing not only in the middle latitudes, but also in the northern regions. It is unpretentious to growing conditions, resistant to diseases, has a high yield. In addition, Ogonyok is very sweet, with delicate granular flesh, almost without seeds. A ripe berry is small in size, rarely exceeds a weight of 2 kg, which does not detract from its merits.
This Soviet early ripe variety is ideal for growing not only in the middle latitudes, but also in the northern regions.
Watermelon is distinguished not only by miniature forms, but also by an interesting, very dark (almost black), uniform color of the peel. By its appearance, Ogonyok resembles neat, perfectly round, small balls, it fully matures in just 80-85 days, and you can buy it already in mid-August. A significant disadvantage of the variety is that it is not suitable for long-term storage and transportation.
Crimson Sweet
Another interesting early variety, designed specifically for industrial cultivation and sale. It is very productive, but rather thermophilic, therefore it is cultivated only in the southern regions, or in special greenhouses. The variety is widely known and popular due to its unique honey taste, high sugar content, bright aroma and persistent aftertaste.
Another interesting early variety, designed specifically for industrial cultivation and sale.
Watermelon fully matures in 70 days, and can grow up to 12 kg, it is disease resistant, well stored, and transported. The peel is light green, striped, and the flesh is a rich crimson hue, with a strong smell of honey. It happens that abundant watering during cultivation makes the berry watery, but this happens infrequently, and it appears on sale in August-September.
sugar baby
One of the most unpretentious, cold-resistant, not prone to wateriness and diseases, a variety of watermelons. It is not for nothing that he has earned recognition from farmers and amateur gardeners. Despite its very small size (maximum 5 kg, but more often 1.5–2 kg), it is distinguished by a sweet, sugary taste, delicate bright flesh and a dense, dark skin.
One of the most unpretentious, cold-resistant, not prone to wateriness and diseases, watermelon variety
The variety is early, so you can buy it already at the end of July, and in taste and aroma, it surpasses most of the known hybrids.
Lunar
An original, memorable hybrid, with bright lemon-colored pulp, obtained by crossing Astrakhan and wild watermelons. The peel, size, shape and smell of the Lunar variety are no different from the Astrakhan variety. The main difference lies in the color and tenderness of the pulp, an unforgettable taste, in which notes of lemon, honey, vanilla are mixed.
An original, memorable hybrid, with bright lemon-colored flesh
It has a very high amount of sugar, almost no seeds, and a loose rind, which makes it difficult to transport and sell. A mature fruit reaches a weight of only 3 kg, and ripens in 70-80 days. It can be seen on sale already in August, and it grows not only in the south, but also in temperate latitudes.
Chill
One of the most famous late varieties of berries, characterized by huge dimensions (up to 25 kg). The variety was bred in Volgograd, which explains its resistance to cold and unpretentiousness. Berries of an elongated oval shape, weighing no more than 4.5 kg, with thick striped skin and bright sugary and juicy pulp.
The variety was bred in Volgograd, which explains its resistance to cold and unpretentiousness.
The main advantages of the variety are long-term storage, the possibility of transportation, unique taste, yield, but you can buy it only in September, due to the late ripening.
Volzhanin
Mid-late variety of watermelon, one of the sweetest and most delicious, which is grown in the southern regions of Russia, Moldova. The peel of the berry is thick, light with dark spiky stripes, and the pulp is grainy, high sugar content (about 8%) and juicy.
Mid-late variety of watermelon, one of the sweetest and most delicious
Watermelon reaches a mass of 14–16 kg, and from 1 hectare up to 30 tons of ripe berries are harvested. Due to its high taste and commercial properties, this variety is often found on sale in August or early September, along with Astrakhan watermelons. Unfortunately, Volzhanin is poorly stored, but it compensates for the lack with its amazing taste.
Separately, it is worth mentioning the rarest, most delicious and insanely expensive variety of Japanese Densuke watermelon, which has a black rind and burgundy flesh. The cost of a kilogram of such a berry is more than $ 6,000, which does not stop real gourmets. Everyone can choose a watermelon to their taste by trying and comparing several different varieties. The varieties described above will help you navigate the difficult choice.