Description and characteristics of the Karistan watermelon variety, yield and cultivation
Watermelon is one of the favorite summer treats. Among the many varieties of culture, the watermelon variety Karistan is distinguished by a whole complex of positive characteristics, the main ones of which are good taste, high yield and small seeds.
Content
Characteristics and differences of varieties Karistan and Karistan F1
Watermelon Karistan belongs to medium early varieties. Berries, after the formation of sprouts, ripen already on the 70th day. The fruit is round or oval, weighing 10-12 kg. The smooth bark of medium thickness is dark green in color. The pulp is bright scarlet with small black seeds, characterized by density and juiciness.
The description of the variety provides for the definition of the pros and cons of the watermelon. The main advantages of Karistan, thanks to which he deserves his place in the garden, include:
- high yields, both in greenhouses and in the open air;
- the presence of ideal taste and technological characteristics;
- the ability to grow on any soil;
- intensive germination of planting seeds and amicable ripening of fruits;
- resistance to sunburn;
- long-term preservation without loss of taste, subject to proper storage;
- the possibility of transportation over long distances, without losing the presentation.
The variety also has disadvantages:
- the likelihood of accumulation of a small amount of sugars in cloudy weather;
- lack of seedlings when planting in too cold soil.
Unlike the Karistan watermelon, the Karistan F1 hybrid ripens earlier and has a large mass. The hybrid is more resistant to typical diseases and performs well on any soil. The energy and speed of plant growth is its main distinguishing feature.
Breeding history and region of growth
The Karistan variety was bred at the very beginning of the 21st century by Dutch breeders working for Syngenta.
It became known in Russia in 2007, and became very popular already in 2012, when it was entered in the State Register.
Due to its early ripeness and excellent transportability, the Karistan watermelon is actively grown in all regions of Russia. This is an excellent choice not only for summer residents, but also for people selling watermelons, since the variety allows you to grow impressive and high-quality harvests of sweet summer berries.
Growing features and optimal conditions
Requirements of watermelon varieties Karistan for cultivation:
- a large amount of light and direct sunlight;
- optimal temperature;
- increased soil moisture;
- soil well fertilized with organic and inorganic substances.
To obtain a good harvest, it is necessary to adhere to all agrotechnical recommendations for growing, to create optimal conditions for active germination, flowering and ripening of fruits.
In the greenhouse
A warm room should be spacious, high, made of durable material. It is best to use peppers, eggplants or cucumbers as neighbors. The soil is necessary nutritious, saturated with minerals, but not too greasy. For fertilization, you need to use humus with nitrophos and superphosphate. You need to take care of the presence of a protective film in advance in case of severe cold weather.
Having prepared everything you need for growing, you can start the process itself:
- Sow seeds in separate cups or coconut pots with a diameter of 10 cm in mid or late April, after soaking them in warm water with the addition of a growth stimulant.
- Water regularly, cover with foil and maintain a temperature of 25 C.
- Conduct top dressing on the tenth day after sowing with complex mineral fertilizer.
- At the end of May, transplant the seedlings into well-heated soil at a distance of 50 -70 cm and maintain the temperature in the greenhouse from 20 to 25 C, and the humidity not higher than 60%.
In the future, in the process of growing, it is only necessary to maintain an optimal level of temperature and humidity in the greenhouse, prevent the formation of drafts and water regularly.
In the open field
A watermelon of the Karistan variety grown outdoors under the bright rays of the sun will be much tastier and juicier than what grew in greenhouse conditions under a film. First, you should choose a suitable area: it should be spacious and well-lit. It is necessary to loosen and fertilize the soil. It is recommended to moisten the seeds in warm water in advance and place them in dug grooves 4-7 cm deep. The distances between the planted seeds should not exceed a distance of 0.7 to 2 meters, and between rows - about 1.5 meters. It is necessary to carry out regular maintenance in the form of watering and weeding.
With the seedling method of growing watermelon varieties Karistan, you should:
- Seeds soaked in advance, place in peat pots filled with moist soil and humus;
- Keep under the film until sprouts appear, maintaining the temperature at least 20 C.
- After the first shoots appear, place in a cool room for 3-4 days.
- Carry out regular watering, monitor the level of humidity and temperature, and, if necessary, apply nitrogen fertilizers in small quantities.
- When the weather stabilizes and becomes warm, transplant the seedlings into open ground, covering them from the winds, watering and feeding them.
After transplanting the Karistan variety, you need to monitor the condition of the plant, check for various diseases and pests, regularly water, fertilize, and loosen the soil.
Diseases and pests, ways to combat them
The watermelon variety Karistan is not immune from diseases and pests. Most of all, the culture is prone to fungal diseases. This situation is especially aggravated in cloudy times, with rainy weather, with a decrease in temperature. The fungus attacks the foliage, root system and fruits of the plant. Dangerous for the culture are diseases such as black leg, powdery mildew, olive spot.
| DISEASES | |||
| Name | Description | Control measures | |
| Blackleg | Gray spots on leaves or stems that wither, rot and die over time | Eliminate the affected parts, weed well and treat the area with a solution of copper chloride (0.5%) | |
| Powdery mildew | The leaves are covered with a bloom of white and soon die off. Fruits lose their juiciness and sugar content | Remove affected foliage and branches, Treat with caratan suspension (25%) 2-3 days before harvest | |
| Olive spot | The leaves are corrugated and covered with spots, holes with an olive bloom form on the petioles. The berries become deformed and stop growing | Treat with a suspension of cuprozan (80%), Bordeaux liquid (1%), benlate (80%), zineb (80%). Weed and remove affected plant parts | |
| Pests | |||
| Name | Description | Control measures | |
| Melon aphid | Insect colonies form on the lower leaves. Flowers and leaves wither and fall | Sprinkle with ash infusion, and in a neglected case - with Inta-Virom (8 g per 10 l of water) The solution is designed for 10 square meters | |
| Spider mite | A spider web appears on the back of the leaves, which eventually discolor and fall off | Tear off and burn affected leaves or treat with chemicals | |
| Sprout fly larvae | They penetrate the stem, damaging the shoots, and suck out all the juices | Spray with a special "fly" pesticide three times before flowering | |
To get a lot of watermelon fruits of the high quality Karistan variety, it is worth regularly examining the plants and, if signs of a disease are found, immediately determine the cause and urgently eliminate it.
How to determine the ripeness of a watermelon and harvest
In order to harvest the crop on time and not be mistaken, you should pay attention to the appearance of the fruit. The maturity of the fruit is determined by the dry stalk, yellow spots, increased hardness of the skin.
You can also learn about the ripeness of the watermelon by knocking, if the sound is dull - the watermelon is green, and the sonorous one indicates the beginning of the harvest. The fruit should be removed in warm, dry weather and sent for storage in a dark, cold room with high humidity.
