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Despite the huge number of species, the Turkmenka melon is especially loved by summer residents. This culture has an amazing taste and aroma. You can grow a good harvest of melon not only in the southern zone. By following certain agrotechnical rules, it is quite possible to get a harvest of ripe Turkmenka even in Siberia.
Description of Turkmen melon
Turkmen melon is not a separate variety, but a whole group of pumpkin species. This term is used for melons grown in the region of the same name. The Turkmen female at the stage of full maturation rarely has a large size. However, its characteristics are excellent:
- sweet taste;
- juicy pulp;
- aroma of freshness.
In addition, Turkmenka melon is valued for its good resistance to low temperatures. When the variety ripens, the characteristic peel on the net darkens, turns brown and is visually pressed inward.
Varieties of Turkmen melons
It should be noted that “Turkmen” is a large group of varieties, uniting about 400 items. It is divided into 4 main sections, each of which differs in ripening period:
- Early ripening or early ripening. The growing season of this subgroup of Turkmen women lasts 60-70 days.Famous representatives are Mazy, Ternek, Zamcha. They are distinguished by high juiciness, delicate taste and persistent aroma. Sugar content is within 10-15%.
- Mid-season – the second subgroup, characterized by a longer ripening period of 75-95 days. This includes the varieties Mesek and Vaharman. Their pulp is denser, slightly crunchy, juicy and sweeter than that of early-ripening Turkmen melons. Sugar content from 15% to 18%. Most often used by cooks for drying.
- Mid-late – the third subgroup with a ripening period from 95 to 105 days. The most famous of them are Garry-Gyz and Payandaki. They are distinguished by even denser and sweeter pulp, even a little viscous. The fruits of late Turkmenka are well stored and are used for drying, canning, and making melon honey. Sugar content 18% or more. They are considered universal varieties. They tolerate transportation well, so they are sold fresh in different regions.
- Late ripening - the fourth subgroup of giant melons. The main representatives of Aktash and Almagulaba. They reach enormous sizes, the growing season is from 100 to 120 days. One ripe Turkmen melon weighs 15-20 kg. Features: no strong flavor, very high pulp density, resistance to low temperatures. Varieties of the subgroup are grown even in Siberia.
How to choose Turkmen melon
You need to choose ripe fruit wisely. There are certain signs of a quality melon that must be present in the selected specimen:
- Smell. Ripe Turkmen melon has a subtle pleasant aroma. If you don't smell it when you buy it, you don't need to buy it. The fruit will be unsweetened and not juicy.
- Sound. When patted with the palm of the hand, a ripe Turkmen melon makes a dull sound. If the fruit is unripe, the buyer will hear a loud pop.
- Condition of the peel. It should not be soft and press through. It is best to choose a melon with elastic skin.
- Color. The peel of a ripe Turkmenka melon is painted in a rich yellow color without dark spots or greenish halos.
- "Tail" condition. It must be dry.
Additionally, you can ask the seller to choose a good copy, and then test it according to the listed characteristics.
Growing Turkmen
Turkmenka belongs to the late varieties of melon. Due to the long growing season in the middle zone and northern region, the crop can only be grown using seedlings. It is very convenient to use a collapsible greenhouse in the garden bed, which is removed after the end of return frosts.
There is a trellis method of growing Turkmenka melon, in which the vines of the plant are tied to a frame. In this state, the fruits are well illuminated by the sun. But most often the plants are grown in rastils, spreading the vines on the ground.
Preparing seedlings
You can grow Turkmenka in the middle zone using seedlings. This technique allows you to shorten the growing season and get ripe fruit. There are several rules that vegetable growers need to adhere to so that the seedlings grow strong:
- Do not violate the sowing deadline for Turkmenka. For the middle zone, the optimal time is considered to be mid-March or the end of April, depending on climatic conditions.
- Choose seeds wisely. We need high-quality Turkmen seeds that have been stored for 2-3 years, even if they are hybrid varieties.
- Take a high-quality soil mixture.You can use ready-made soil for pumpkin plants, which is sold in a specialty store. If you cook it yourself, you will need to prepare a mixture of river sand (10 kg), peat (9 kg), humus (10 kg) and wood ash (200 g).
- Choose a suitable container. Plastic containers or peat pots with drainage holes are best. Turkmenka melon does not tolerate transplantation well; it is better to immediately take containers with a diameter of at least 10 cm. A container from which the seedlings can be removed with a lump of earth will be ideal.
Seeds (2 pieces per 1 cup) are buried 1.5 cm. Moisten, cover the container with film. After sprouting, place the melons in the light and water every other day.
The temperature is maintained at + 20-25 °C during the day and + 18-20 °C at night.
The first feeding of Turkmenka seedlings should be carried out in the phase of 2 true leaves with complex fertilizer, then repeat in the same composition after 2 weeks.
2-3 weeks before planting, be sure to start hardening the melon seedlings.
Selection and preparation of a landing site
For the garden bed, you should choose an open, sunny area, but protected from the wind. Melon grows well on southern slopes.
The Turkmen woman prefers soil with neutral acidity. It reacts worst to acidification and high soil moisture. Before planting, you should “deoxidize” the soil if neutrality does not meet the required level.
In the fall, it is necessary to dig up the area while simultaneously adding humus or compost with the addition of superphosphate.
Landing rules
As soon as 5-7 leaves are formed on the Turkmen seedlings, it is time to plant the seedlings in the ground.It is first necessary to moisten the containers with seedlings so that they can be removed well. Prepare holes in advance at a distance of 55 cm from each other.
Plants need to be replanted together with a lump of earth, then immediately watered with settled water. While the sprouts take root, you will have to water them with heated water. Do not deepen the root collar, otherwise the Turkmenka will be susceptible to fungal infections.
The landing date is set at a time when the night temperature in the region does not fall below + 14 °C. After transplantation, Turkmenka seedlings are shaded for 2-3 days.
To increase the yield of Turkmenka, the main shoot is pinched above the 4th leaf. The 2 side shoots that have grown are spread on the ground and pinned.
Watering and fertilizing
Melon loves regular watering, but overwatering leads to rotting of the root system. Therefore, when watering, you should monitor the condition of the soil.
Liquid organic fertilizers and mineral complexes are used to fertilize Turkmenka melon. For a more effective result, it is recommended to alternate them. The plants should be fed for the first time 2 weeks after planting, then during the formation of side shoots and before the appearance of buds. At the same time, it is important to adhere to the rules for applying fertilizers for garden crops. Particular attention should be paid to the amount of nitrogen components. If they are overdosed, the growing season of the melon will increase and fruiting will be delayed.
Formation
In open ground, the formation of Turkmenka melon is carried out by pinching the apical buds of the vines.If the procedure is performed correctly, nutrients from the roots begin to flow not into the vine, but directly into the fruit. Melons grow larger and sweeter. Of course, subject to the watering and fertilizing schedule.
Harvesting
The time for harvesting Turkmenka melon is determined by the further purpose of the fruit. For fresh consumption, fully ripe specimens are needed. If there is a short transportation or storage, then the melons are selected 2 days before full ripening. Late-ripening varieties, which are harvested at the stage of technical ripeness, are subject to long-term storage. Such melons are already fully formed, but at least another week must pass before full maturity. Any green or overripe fruit is not suitable for storage. Melon ripeness is determined by:
- Rich aroma. The ripe fruit has a persistent melon odor.
- Skin changes. If the variety is distinguished by the presence of a mesh on the peel, then it becomes clearly expressed and darker in color, visually as if pressed inward. When the variety is without a mesh on the peel, ripeness is determined by the rich yellow color of the fruit.
- Ease of separation from the stalk. At the moment of maturity of the fruit, the stalk begins to dry out.
The collection of melons occurs in stages and selectively. The fruits do not ripen at once, so the ripe ones are gradually harvested at intervals of 5-6 days.
You need to pick fruits with a stalk 4-5 cm long. It is better to schedule harvesting in the morning or evening. It is important that there is no active sun.
Place the picked fruits of Turkmenka on ridges and leave in the sun for 10-14 days, turning after 5-6 hours.
Diseases and pests
Planting Turkmen women are exposed to infections of any etymology - viral, bacterial, fungal.The source is seed material, contaminated soil, vector plants or insects. The main preventive measures will be:
- Careful compliance with agricultural technology requirements.
- Pre-sowing preparation of planting material.
- Compliance with the schedule of preventive treatments with antifungal drugs.
- Keeping the beds clean - cleaning weed, weeding, loosening.
- Removing affected plants.
- Inspection of plants for initial detection of diseases.
The main pests of melons are toya, spider mites, and wireworms.
The spread can be prevented by observing crop rotation, removing weeds, and preventative spraying of plants with fungicides and insecticides.
Conclusion
With little time spent, Turkmen melon produces a good harvest in almost any region. Using the growing tips, you can please your family with a fragrant, juicy melon grown on your own plot.
