Description of the pineapple melon variety, features of cultivation and care
Melon Pineapple is perhaps the most widespread variety of melons. She pleases with juicy, aromatic and sweet fruits with standard care. The variety is suitable for cultivation both on an industrial scale and in private household plots. To get a good and ripe harvest on time, you need to familiarize yourself with some of the features of this melon.
Description of the variety
The characteristic of the variety allows us to say that Pineapple belongs to the mid-early hybrid varieties of melons. Suitable for growing in the open field and in greenhouse conditions. From the moment of germination to the first ripening of fruits, it takes from 2 to 2.5 months. Melons grow up to 2 kg in weight, oval in shape. The pulp is white-pink in color. Excellent taste, strong aroma. Pineapple melon perfectly tolerates long-distance transportation without losing its marketability and taste.
The description of the variety promises increased resistance to powdery mildew and anthracnose. Each plant produces up to 5 high quality fruits. The skin is thin, at maturity has a golden or yellow-brown color. Pineapple has a pronounced mesh pattern.
Melons of this variety have a high content of vitamins of groups A, C, B and P. The fruits are useful for people suffering from the following diseases:
- anemia;
- anemia;
- diseases of the upper respiratory tract;
- gout;
- rheumatism;
- tuberculosis;
- disturbances in the work of the cardiovascular system;
- disorders of the gastrointestinal tract.
Due to their high fiber content, melons are effectively used in dietary nutrition. Pineapple can be stored in a marketable form for 1.5–2 months after harvest without the use of chemicals that help to extend the shelf life.
Growing features
Melon crops are thermophilic and require a lot of sun to ripen. Melon Pineapple Americano is the fruit of many years of work by breeders who have sought to adapt the plant to different climatic conditions. The variety turned out to be not only well adapted for different regions, but also resistant to fungal diseases.
To get a good harvest, you need to pick up high-quality seed. Seeds should be purchased only in specialized stores that provide a quality guarantee. When self-procurement of planting material, it can be used only after three years.
In a southern climate, melons can be planted directly into the soil. But in other areas, seedlings should be pre-grown.To do this, Pineapple seeds are placed in a well-moistened cloth and left for several days, periodically moistening the cloth. As soon as the sprouts begin to hatch, you can sow.
The seeds are placed in cups with soil mixture, 1 piece each and covered with a transparent film. As soon as the seedlings begin to hatch, the cover is removed, and the containers are moved to a well-lit windowsill. To prevent the pineapple melon sprouts from stretching, the cups are rotated from time to time. The hybrid is planted in open ground a month later. Young plants need mandatory preliminary hardening.
When planting seeds directly into open ground, you must focus on the soil temperature. It should warm up to at least +15 ° C. Otherwise, Pineapple simply won't come up. As a rule, the timing of such sowing falls on the end of May. Seeds are sown to a depth of no more than 2 cm. To make them germinate faster, you can cover the plantings with plastic wrap. As soon as the seedlings begin to hatch, the shelter is removed.
Care features
Reviews of gardeners indicate that as soon as the sixth leaf appears on young plants, pinching should be done. This will give an opportunity to develop lateral lashes and will contribute to the formation of female-type peduncles.
Pineapple melon needs moderate watering as it grows. The plant does not like excessive moisture. It is enough to irrigate it once a week, for example, on weekends. Regularly it is necessary to fight weeds and carry out mandatory loosening of the soil. Water stagnation on the site should not be allowed, this leads to weakening of the plants.
Pineapple hybrid melon prefers a well-fertilized and nutritious soil. If it is depleted on the site, then before planting the plants, it is imperative to add mullein or humus. After the appearance of the fourth leaf, the planting is fed for the first time, and with the beginning of flowering - the second. The plot for growing Pineapple melons is selected well-ventilated, sunny.
For the entire period of growth, the beds are weeded at least 5 times. Most often this is done at the very beginning. When the melons get stronger and spread out, they themselves will prevent the growth of weeds in their garden. Loosening of the soil is carried out at first once a week, and then less often. During the formation of powerful lateral shoots, it is recommended to spud the planting.
To get larger fruits of the Pineapple melon, the growth points are pinched on the 4 and 6 leaves. When 5-7 fruits are formed on the bush, all subsequent growth points are removed. Young plants need more frequent watering. As it grows, the frequency of irrigation is reduced, and a week before the expected harvest is stopped altogether.
Prevention of diseases and pests
Melon of the Pineapple variety is a hybrid, therefore it shows increased resistance to the negative effects of viral infections and pests. But even she needs prevention and protection from defeat:
- melon aphid;
- spider mite;
- wireworm;
- scoops;
- melon fly;
- powdery mildew;
- downy mildew;
- fusarium;
- copperhead.
To protect the Pineapple melon from these pests, before planting in the garden, you need to pour eggshells or onion skins into each hole. The plantings are regularly sprayed with a soap solution. A good preventive measure is a decoction of garlic or onions. Marigold seedlings are planted nearby.
Gardeners who have grown the Pineapple melon variety on their site claim that it really has a pleasant pineapple flavor and aroma. The fruits grow very sweet and juicy. They can be consumed not only fresh, but also canned and processed. The variety is unpretentious, does not require much attention, therefore, even beginners can grow it.
