Content
Watermelon Chill is recommended for cultivation in the North Caucasus and Lower Volga regions. The variety has a table purpose and is suitable for commercial production. The fruits of the Kholodok variety ripen in the mid-late period and are distinguished by their sweet taste and high yield.
Characteristics of the variety
Description of watermelon Chill:
- mid-late ripening;
- 85-97 days pass from emergence to harvesting;
- powerful plant;
- a large number of lashes;
- the main lash reaches a length of 5 m;
- large green leaves;
- The leaf blade is wide, dissected.
Characteristics of the fruits of the Kholodok variety:
- spherical elongated shape;
- average weight 6-10 kg;
- weakly segmented fruits;
- medium-sized black-green stripes;
- the pulp is bright red;
- thick peel;
- sweet taste;
- Shelf life – up to 5 months.
The seeds of the watermelon variety Kholodok are large, 15 mm long. The color is light brown, the surface is rough. Planting material from the companies Aelita, Sedek, Altai Seeds, Russian Ogorod, Gavrish is available for sale.
Planting seeds
Watermelon Chill is grown through seedlings or seeds are planted directly in an open area. Work is carried out in April-May. Planting is carried out in prepared soil. Seedlings are provided with a certain microclimate.
Work order
The seedling method is practiced in regions with short summers. Seeds are planted in an open area only after the soil and air have warmed up.
At home, watermelon seeds are processed to speed up the appearance of sprouts. A few days before planting, the seeds are kept in warm water for an hour. Then the planting material is placed in moistened sand.
Seed germination occurs at temperatures above 25 °C. When small sprouts appear, the seeds are planted in separate containers of 2 pieces. To grow Kholodok watermelon, containers with a volume of 0.3 liters are required. Their use will avoid picking seedlings.
For 1 kg of soil mixture add 20 g of superphosphate, 10 g of potassium sulfate and urea. The seeds are placed on the surface of the substrate and sprinkled with sand. The containers are covered with plastic wrap and kept in a warm place at a temperature of 30 °C.
After a week, when the sprouts appear on the surface, the film is removed. The room temperature is lowered to 18 °C.
Seedling care
The development of watermelon seedlings Chill requires the fulfillment of a number of conditions:
- regular watering;
- lighting for 12 hours;
- feeding.
The seedlings are watered with warm, settled water. When watering, moisture should not come into contact with the leaves and stems of plants. If necessary, lighting devices are installed above the plantings: fluorescent or phytolamps.
When 3 leaves appear, the plants are fed with slurry or a solution of complex fertilizer. Before planting in the garden, seedlings are hardened off in the fresh air. They are left on the balcony first for 2 hours, then the period of their stay in natural conditions is increased.
Landing in the ground
Watermelons with 5-6 leaves are transferred to an open area. To grow the crop, choose an area well heated by the sun. The plantings are provided with protection from the wind. The optimal location is the south or south-east side of the site.
Before planting the Kholodok variety, it is recommended to grow winter wheat, onions, cabbage, and legumes in the garden. Plants are not planted after tomatoes, peppers, potatoes, eggplants, melons, and zucchini.
Photo of watermelon Chill after planting in an open area:
Watermelon prefers sandy loam or sandy soil. The site begins to be prepared in the fall, when the ground is dug up. Additionally for 1 sq. m of soil, add 4 kg of compost and 100 g of complex fertilizer containing nitrogen, potassium and phosphorus.
The structure of heavy soil is improved with the help of river sand in the amount of 1 bucket. Fresh manure is not used to fertilize the soil.
The procedure for planting watermelons of the Kholodok variety in the ground:
- Holes are made in the garden bed at intervals of 100 cm. 140 cm are left between the rows.
- Each planting hole is watered abundantly.
- The seedlings are taken out of the containers and transferred to the holes.
- Plants are deepened into the ground up to the cotyledon leaves.
- The soil is compacted and a small layer of sand is poured on top.
- The seedlings are watered abundantly with warm water.
At first, watermelons are covered from sunlight with paper. It is removed after a couple of days, when the plants recover after transplantation.
In regions with a cool climate, the Kholodok variety is grown in greenhouses. Planting is carried out in a similar manner. A gap of 70 cm is made between plants. Plants can be planted under shelter earlier if the soil has warmed up sufficiently after winter.
Variety care
The Kholodok variety needs constant care. Watermelons are watered and fed. To protect against diseases and pests, plants are treated with special preparations.
Eliminating excess shoots allows you to get a high yield of watermelons. Up to 4 fruits are left for each plant.
In a greenhouse, plants are provided with fresh air. The culture does not tolerate high humidity. In closed ground, plants are tied to a trellis, the fruits are placed in nets or on stands.
Watering
Watermelons are watered with chill every week. The plant requires plenty of moisture. For 1 sq. m with plantings you need 3 buckets of warm, settled water.
Photo of watermelon Chill in a greenhouse:
After watering, the soil in the beds is loosened and removed. weeds. When the watermelons grow, it is allowed not to loosen. Gardening tools can damage plants.
Top dressing
Watermelons of the Kholodok variety are fed twice per season:
- 14 days after transplanting into the ground;
- during the formation of buds.
For the first feeding of watermelons, a fertilizer containing nitrogen is prepared. Natural remedies include a solution of chicken manure or mullein in a ratio of 1:15. The product is applied at the root of plants.
Another way to feed plants is a solution of ammonium nitrate. 20 g of this substance is enough for a large bucket of water. In the future, it is better to abandon nitrogen fertilizers, which help increase green mass.
For the second treatment, complex fertilizer is used. Each plant requires 5 g of superphosphate and potassium salt. Substances are added to the soil or dissolved in water before watering.
Diseases and pests
When using high-quality planting material, plants rarely get sick. According to the description, the Kholodok watermelon is characterized by average resistance to fusarium, anthracnose and powdery mildew. By following agricultural practices, the risk of developing diseases is minimized.
Most diseases are caused by a fungus. Its spread leads to the appearance of brown or white spots on the leaves. As a result, the taste of the fruit deteriorates, rotting and deforming.
In greenhouses and greenhouses, watermelons are susceptible to attack by spider mites and melon aphids. Insects feed on plant sap, causing the leaves to dry out.
To control pests, infusions based on potato tops, dope, and chamomile are used. To repel aphids, watermelons are dusted with tobacco dust and wood ash. Chemicals are used before flowering begins.
Reviews from gardeners
Conclusion
Watermelon is a heat-loving crop that is grown in various regions. In cold climates, watermelons are planted in closed ground. The most reliable way to grow is through seedlings. At home, they stimulate the germination of seeds, which are planted in light soil.
The Kholodok variety is valued for its sweet taste, good transportability and keeping quality. Plants are cared for by watering and fertilizing.
