Description of the variety of Vietnamese melon, features of cultivation and care
It is difficult to find a gardener who would not be involved in the cultivation of such a delicious fruit as a melon. Vietnamese melon, which is grown by many of them, is especially popular among summer residents. This plant differs from other varieties in the size of its fruits, the weight of which reaches 400-500 grams. Before you start growing this fruit, you should familiarize yourself with its features.
Short description
The Vietnamese melon is considered a traditional member of the pumpkin family. Previously, it was grown only in the countries of Asia Minor and Central Asia. However, in the last 10 years it has spread rapidly and is therefore grown in almost all countries. This variety is distinguished by its thermophilicity and early maturity. That is why it is recommended to grow it only in a well-lit area with a stable temperature of 20-25 degrees.
Vietnamese melon varieties are very productive, since at least 25 ripe fruits are harvested from one bush. Moreover, the mass of each of them is about 200-300 grams. All ripe fruit are covered with an orange peel with thin golden stripes. Under the peel is an orange pulp with a rich aroma.
The main advantages of the plant include the fact that it grows well in an area with an unstable climate. Even in constantly cloudy weather, it is possible to grow juicy and sweet fruits. Such varieties are grown even in the northern regions of the country. However, in these regions you will have to grow them in greenhouse conditions so that the plant does not suffer from possible night frosts.
Another advantage of Vietnamese varieties is the ripening speed. The first crop is harvested in June or in the first half of July. At the same time, ripe melons appear on the markets only in early August.
Varieties
Melon Vietnamese gift from grandfather Ho Chi Minh - this is how the varieties of this fruit are often called. This name is given to the plant for a reason. Ho Chi Minh is the greatest leader who made Vietnam independent and made its people feel free. He devoted a lot of time to agrarian business, and especially to melons, as this was his favorite fruit.
Many years after the life of Ho Chi Minh, Vietnamese melons have not lost their popularity. Even today, breeders develop the newest varieties of this fruit. Most commonly, two varieties of Vietnamese fruit are grown:
- Yan Jun. Some growers prefer the high-yielding and mid-season Yan Jun. The first crop is harvested two and a half months after planting in the ground. However, the vegetable can ripen earlier, since the ripening rate depends on the quality of light and temperature indicators.When grown correctly, the bushes can grow up to three and a half meters. The Yan Jun variety has large fruits weighing about 450 grams. They are covered with a dark skin with orange stripes all over.
- Melotria. Lovers of low-growing plants should grow this particular variety, since it is distinguished by its miniature size. The fruits ripen throughout the entire growing period. Therefore, you will have to harvest regularly. Many grow such melons not for harvesting, but for decorating a summer cottage.
Growing
Before you start growing Vietnamese melon, you should familiarize yourself with the peculiarities of its breeding at home. This will help in the future to get a large and sweet harvest of Vietnamese melons.
Sowing seeds
To harvest a high-quality crop, you must choose the right seed. For planting, only seeds that are at least three years old are used. You cannot plant recently harvested seeds next year, as they do not bear fruit well due to an insufficient number of ovaries.
Before planting the seed, it is pre-treated with a manganese solution. This is done to further protect the seedlings from bacteria and germs that can make the plants sick. Then the processed seeds are hardened. To do this, all the seeds are taken out on the street every day.
When the hardening is over, the seed is soaked in settled water. This is done to select the highest quality seed. Distinguishing good seed from bad seed is easy. High-quality seeds swell after soaking, but low-quality seeds do not.
The prepared seeds are planted in small peat pots. They are best suited for planting, since when transplanted into open ground, the grown seedlings are planted along with the pots. When planting, the seed is placed in the ground at a depth of 3-4 cm. When the seeds are planted, the pots are transferred to a room with a temperature of 20-25 degrees. When growing seedlings, pay attention to their leaves. After the appearance of the first leaf, organic feed is added to the soil.
Growing and care
Constantly grow melon in pots it is impossible and therefore will have to deal with its transplant. They are transplanted when four real leaves appear on the bushes and there are no night frosts on the street.
Before transplanting the plant, the site is pre-dug up and moistened with water. Then, shallow holes are made on the prepared soil. The distance between them is 70–75 cm. This is enough so that the planted bushes do not shade each other.
Each well is re-watered and treated with a weak manganese solution. If desired, organic fertilizers are added to the holes. Then peat pots with a plant are placed in the holes and covered with soil. The site is once again moistened with warm water and sprinkled with fresh humus on top.
When growing, the bushes are regularly watered with settled water. In summer, daily watering is carried out. In cloudy or rainy weather, the amount of watering is reduced to three times a week. It is not recommended to moisten the soil with cold water, as it provokes root rot, which makes the melon sick.
Conclusion
All lovers of fresh fruits are engaged in the cultivation of Vietnamese melons. In order to properly grow this plant and get a good harvest, you should read the reviews of people who regularly plant melons, and familiarize yourself with the features of planting and caring for it.
