Content
- 1 Description of the melon variety Kolkhoznitsa
- 2 Pros and cons of the variety
- 3 What are the benefits of Kolkhoznitsa melon?
- 4 How to choose a melon Kolkhoznitsa
- 5 How many calories are in melon Kolkhoznitsa
- 6 Which melon is sweeter - Torpedo or Kolkhoz Woman
- 7 How to grow melon Kolkhoznitsa
- 8 How much does the Kolkhoznitsa melon weigh?
- 9 Harvesting
- 10 Diseases and pests
- 11 Reviews about melon Kolkhoznitsa
- 12 Conclusion
Kolkhoznitsa melon differs from its relatives in its unique taste and the presence of vitamins useful for diet. This is a juicy and sweet fruit dessert that any novice gardener or gardener can grow in their garden. The first varieties of this melon crop were cultivated in Central and Asia Minor. In Russia, the Kolkhoznitsa melon is grown in warm regions, citing the unpretentiousness of the crop to climatic conditions.
Description of the melon variety Kolkhoznitsa
The false berry was obtained by screening out varieties of field weeds on the territory of Rostov in 1939. The Kolkhoznitsa variety was included in the State Register of Breeding Achievements approved for cultivation in Russia in 1943. The originator of the melon is the Biryuchekutsk breeding laboratory. At the moment, the Kolkhoznitsa melon variety is grown in all regions except the northern part of Russia.
According to the description, Melon Kolkhoznitsa is a mid-season variety with a short growing season, which is why it is loved by summer residents and gardeners. After the first true leaves appear, 70-90 days pass before harvest. The plant has a strong root system with penetration up to 2 m underground, although most of the roots spread along the top layer of soil. The variety is an annual herbaceous crop, the stem of which has a rounded-faceted shape and spreads along the ground up to 3-4 m.
The foliage is alternate, large, palmate-lobed in shape, developing on elongated petioles. Whiskers grow in the internodes. Kolkhoznitsa blooms with bisexual flowers of pale yellow color. The ovary of the fruit occurs under a perianth of 3-4 fused fruit leaves. The fruit is spherical in shape and reaches 25 cm in diameter.
The skin of the fruit is bright yellow, sometimes with a greenish tint. The ripe fruit is covered with a net or remains smooth and hard. The peel is of medium thickness, the melon does not wrinkle. The melon pulp is juicy and fibrous, snow-white in color. Kolkhoznitsa tastes sweet, with barely noticeable sourness and a tart aroma. A large number of seeds are present. Melon Kolkhoznitsa is not initially considered a hybrid.
Pros and cons of the variety
Over 80 years of growing melons, gardeners have noted the following advantages of the Kolkhoznitsa melon:
- high fertility;
- excellent taste characteristics;
- drought resistance;
- unpretentiousness to climatic conditions, soil composition;
- the ability to transport crops over long distances;
- short growing season;
- the ability to collect seeds for replanting;
- portioned fruits.
Among the disadvantages of the Kolkhoznitsa melon is its susceptibility to fungal diseases. To grow melon in a greenhouse, artificial pollination is necessary. Some consumers are not satisfied with the small size of the fruit. Also, ripe or overripe Kolkhoznitsa melons have a short shelf life.
What are the benefits of Kolkhoznitsa melon?
Among its relatives, the Kolkhoznitsa melon stands out for its multiple uses of the fruit. Due to its low calorie content, it is recommended to be consumed raw and in small quantities during the diet. The composition contains acids and minerals beneficial to the human body. It is also recommended to consume melon raw – the vitamins retain their usefulness.
The content of a large percentage of folic acid contributes to the harmonious development of the fetus during pregnancy. The presence of vitamin C prevents colds and relieves illness. The pulp of the Kolkhoznitsa melon contains carotene, which improves the condition of the skin - the skin is not subject to dermatitis, the tone is evened out, and there is no chapping. Nails and hair become strong if you consume the daily amount of melon.
A large amount of the Kolkhoznitsa variety acts on the body as a laxative, which is useful for a melon diet designed for 3-4 days. Eating pumpkin outside of the diet is recommended by nutritionists 2 hours before the main meal. Kolkhoznitsa melon seeds increase male activity and are an aphrodisiac, useful in the treatment of impotence and planning conception.
The aromatic Kolkhoznitsa variety contains a large amount of iron, which relieves stress and improves the functioning of the heart, liver and kidneys.Drinking juice prevents acne, increases the number of red blood cells in case of anemia, and prevents kidney disease. The pulp also contains serotonin, which normalizes sleep and restores nerve endings. Kolkhoznitsa melon provides certain benefits and harms to patients with diabetes. Kolkhoznitsa replaces sugar, but is not recommended for consumption in large quantities.
How to choose a melon Kolkhoznitsa
Before purchasing, you need to take into account the nuances that determine the taste and juiciness of the melon. The fruits of the Kolkhoznitsa variety absorb foreign odors very quickly, and the rough surface is difficult to clean from dust, so you should not buy pumpkins near the road or along the highway. Melon that has lost its presentation after mechanical damage is not suitable for consumption.
A ripe berry should have a pleasant aroma of vanilla, honey and pear. Otherwise, the fruit was either not ripe, or it was grown on artificial nitrogen fertilizers. Also, the Kolkhoznitsa melon should be dense to the touch and, when tapped, should produce a dull pop without rattling. If you run your fingers along the peel, furrows will appear on the ripe Kolkhoznitsa melon. Dents after pressing indicate overripe fruits and the presence of bitterness when consumed.
When choosing, you should pay attention to the stalk, which must be dry. The place of the flower should be elastic, but not soft. Ready-to-eat fruits appear in late August or early September. An unripe fruit has hard flesh and a greenish color at the base of the skin; it can cause poisoning.
How many calories are in melon Kolkhoznitsa
Collective farm food consists of almost 90% water, the remaining percentage is given to vitamins and useful minerals. The calorie content of Kolkhoznitsa melon is quite low, which allows it to be consumed not only by those who are on a diet, but also by those with diabetes. On average, the calorie content of a fruit per 100 g is 30-32 kcal. By consuming melon in different forms, a person receives an unequal amount of calories. Dried melon contains 340 kcal, squeezed from seeds has 899 kcal. In canned fruits, the calorie content remains almost unchanged - 33 kcal. The juice is low in calories - 46 kcal, so it is often recommended for fresh consumption. Fruit seeds are taken dried in small portions up to 100 g to avoid diarrhea. Frozen pulp contains 34 kcal.
Which melon is sweeter - Torpedo or Kolkhoz Woman
Debates about the best variety of melons take place every season. The torpedo is several times larger than the Kolkhoznitsa melon. The shape of the fruits of the first is elongated and much heavier than the round and compact variety Kolkhoznitsa. They also taste very different. Based on consumer reviews, Torpedo is more watery, with a noticeable sour aftertaste, while Kolkhoznitsa is sweet and moderately juicy.
The pulp of the fruit is the same snow-white color, but summer residents purchase unripe Torpedo melon more often. This is explained by the presence of a thick and hard peel, so the ripeness of this variety is determined by the sound when struck and the presence of smell. The calorie content of the Torpedo variety is slightly higher - 36 kcal. The ripening period for the Torpedo species is slightly longer - 95-110 days. However, it lasts longer but has fewer health-promoting vitamins.
How to grow melon Kolkhoznitsa
Kolkhoznitsa is a heat-loving plant that is grown both in open areas and in greenhouses.Adaptation to the climate allows you to cultivate false berries at any above-zero temperature. In some cases, the Kolkhoznitsa melon is able to withstand frosts from -5 °C. By creating comfortable conditions, you can expect a large and juicy harvest.
Preparing seedlings
Usually, summer residents purchase ready-made seedlings for planting, although some gardeners immediately grow Kolkhoznitsa melon in open ground. The purchased planting material should be large, without damage, and the seed should not be pressed when pressed. Before soaking, the material is filled with water to identify dummies that float to the surface. Next, it is soaked in a solution with growth accelerators for 2 days until the first shoots appear.
Hatched seeds are hardened - wrapped in gauze and put in the refrigerator for 15-20 hours. Seeds are planted in peat cups with a ready-made substrate to a depth of 5-6 cm and watered with water at room temperature. Glasses and trays with seedlings are placed in a warm place, and in daylight they are rearranged in a sunny place. Seedlings are ready for transplanting when the plants have 3-4 leaves.
Selection and preparation of a landing site
The Kolkhoznitsa variety needs a large and sunny area. The harvest will be fertile if the melon is planted on light or loamy soil. The groundwater level is allowed from 2 to 3 m. The selected area should not have previously been used for planting cucumbers or other melons. The preparation of the planting site is done in the fall or a purchased ready-made substrate is purchased.Before planting, it must be warmed up or treated with a diluted solution of manganese.
For planting in a greenhouse, the soil is prepared after the first frost in late autumn. At low temperatures, most of the parasites freeze out. The area is cleared of weed, do a deep digging of the soil along with humus or manure. Kolkhoznitsa melon does not grow well in acidic soils, so wood ash or dry slaked lime is added to the soil. For the greenhouse, you can purchase cassettes or peat cups with ready-made soil. It is also necessary to provide constant artificial lighting.
Landing rules
Seeds are planted in warm soil at the end of April or beginning of May. The planting deadline is mid-May so that the harvest has time to ripen. Regardless of the planting region, the air temperature should not drop to + 15 °C. Otherwise, the growth and development of seedlings will be inhibited, and the plants may die.
Before planting, the area is dug up, beds are made or holes are dug for seedlings. The row depth should not exceed 50 cm. The beds are formed from soil, which is mixed with organic fertilizers. The collective farmer does not tolerate transplantation well, so the finished seedlings are planted together with a preparatory substrate or peat cups, which will help the melon root system develop. The distance between plants is from 30 to 50 cm. The seedlings are watered with a small amount of water, and the roots are sprinkled with small wood shavings.
Watering and fertilizing
In the first few weeks, the plants need to be provided with a microclimate, so the seedlings are covered with a plastic dome. At this stage, watering is carried out at dawn 3-4 times a week.One small plant should require 1-1.5 liters, an adult melon needs up to 5-7 liters with each watering. In the last month of fruit ripening, the frequency of watering is reduced to 1-2 times a week.
Humus, compost, manure or superphosphates can be used as fertilizers for the Kolkhoznitsa melon. The latter are applied during the autumn preparation of the land for planting. Fertilizing is done for the 2nd month of growing the Kolkhoznitsa melon. Occasionally it is necessary to add manure in small quantities when watering. Plants will benefit from diluted saltpeter or potassium fertilizers, which are added to the soil when pumpkins ripen.
Formation
The Kolkhoznitsa melon is formed when there is a stem that begins to spread along the ground. For trellis formation, a wire or wooden frame is needed, to which the young plant is tied. As the lashes grow, they are tied in 3-4 places with fabric strips. For gartering, it is not recommended to use silk thread or wire, which can crush the stem. The good thing about forming a trellis is that the bushes of the Kolkhoznitsa variety receive a sufficient amount of heat.
On bushes, pinch the main stem above 4-5 leaves to achieve an increase in ovaries. If the stems are not attached to a trellis, then they are pinned in the ground. To do this, dig a hole under the leaf and sprinkle the petiole with substrate. The additionally formed roots will draw nutrients from the soil. Weeding and loosening is carried out when a large number of weeds appear and stagnant soil. With regular loosening, the roots will receive a sufficient amount of oxygen.
How much does the Kolkhoznitsa melon weigh?
On average, the Kolkhoznitsa melon weighs from 1 to 2 kg.Overripe fruits lose 100-200 g in weight. The weight of a melon from a bush depends on the number of pumpkins left after thinning. From one bush in the south of Russia you can collect up to 7 kg, in regions with constant temperature changes only 4 kg.
Harvesting
Young fruits are hung from a trellis so that they do not fall off the mother plant. If the bushes climb along the ground, then boards or slate are placed under the melons to protect them from rotting. Harvesting begins in late August or early September, when the melon acquires a bright yellow hue and the ovary begins to dry. The fruits of the green Kolkhoznitsa melon are placed in a warm and dark place so that the ripening process takes place in 3-4 days.
After harvesting, the melons are laid out on a fabric tarpaulin in a single layer for 10-12 days in the sun. In the process of acquiring marketable appearance, the fruits are turned over every 4-5 days. Next, the melons are woven from the stalks into braids or stored in a net in a suspended state. The optimal storage temperature is from 0 °C to + 3 °C, air humidity for the Kolkhoznitsa variety is allowed within 60-70%. The harvest is also stored in wooden boxes with fabric bedding in the basement until winter or the end of November.
Diseases and pests
The most dangerous pests are melon aphids and spider mites. For both pests, the variety is sprayed 3 times per season with chemicals or a diluted sulfur solution. As a melon plant, false berry is often susceptible to fungal diseases:
- powdery mildew;
- blackleg;
- fusarium;
- verdigris and root rot.
With powdery mildew, the foliage turns yellow, then becomes covered with a gray coating and dries out. The disease also affects melons, which dry directly on the bushes and fall off.Blackleg is dangerous for seedlings and spreads to neighboring plants. The adult stem begins to turn black at the base of the roots, and the infection spreads in patches throughout the entire stem. Infection of other bushes occurs through the root system.
Fusarium deforms the fruits, they lose their presentation, the foliage withers, and the stem dries out from the inside. Root rot affects the roots of an adult plant. The verdigris is immediately noticeable - rust spots appear on the leaves and fruits, and the fruits quickly rot. The fungal disease spreads to neighboring plants.
In order to prevent powdery mildew at the initial stage, the Kolkhoznitsa melon is sprayed with pesticides and flammable sulfur. To prevent the appearance of blackleg, the seeds are disinfected in a diluted manganese solution, then the seedlings are sprinkled with sifted sand. Root rot cannot be removed by anything, so the affected plants and neighboring bushes are removed. Fusarium appears when there is an excess of moisture and potassium supplements. In this case, it is necessary to monitor watering and the amount of potassium fertilizer. At the first signs of copperhead, Kolkhoznitsa melons are sprayed with fungicides.
Reviews about melon Kolkhoznitsa
Conclusion
Melon Kolkhoznitsa is a juicy and aromatic melon crop. The bushes will delight summer residents and gardeners with a bountiful harvest if they are formed in time and monitor the development of young plants. If agrotechnical measures are followed, the Kolkhoznitsa variety will produce juicy, tasty and nutritious fruits in any region of Russia.
