How and where do watermelons grow?

We all know about the invaluable benefits of fruits and berries that keep up in the summer and early autumn. They can not only be eaten raw, but also make home preparations. In today's article, we will tell you where watermelons grow and what these fruits are valued for.

A short excursion into the history

The homeland of this sweet striped berry is Africa. According to most botanists, the center of its origin is the Kalahari desert. In this area and to this day there are wild thickets of this fruit.

Those who do not know the place where watermelons grow will be surprised to understand that modern cultivated fruits are very different from those that were known four thousand years ago. In those days, they were bitter in taste, and in size approached the grapefruits. Approximately in 2000 BC this fruit was first found by the ancient Egyptians, who began to actively ennoble it.

On the territory of Russia watermelon came from India around the 8th-10th century. Initially, it was grown in the Volga region, but by the 17th century it had spread widely to other regions of the country.

Valuable properties of berries

Those who want to understand where the watermelons grow, it will be interesting to know what they are useful. First of all, this fruit optimizes the digestive system. Fiber contained in its pulp promotes active growth and development of useful microflora.

Watermelon is considered one of the main sources of alkaline substances necessary to neutralize excess acids entering the human body along with bread, meat, fish and eggs. Contained in the fruits of folic acid helps to get rid of cardiovascular diseases and actively participates in the development of amino acids. In addition, watermelon flesh is rich in iron salts. Therefore, it is recommended to people suffering from anemia.

Where do watermelons grow?

In Russia, on an industrial scale, they are cultivated in the Volga and Southern Urals. Astrakhan and Volgograd melon growers for a long period could not decide which of these two regions has the right to be called the domestic watermelon capital. The dispute was resolved several years ago. The end of the strife was laid by the head of the Ministry of Agriculture Alexei Gordeyev. It was he who signed the decree according to which the Astrakhan region became the Russian center of cultivation of this berry.

Those who want to understand where the watermelons grow in the world, it will be interesting that their plantations are in many countries with a warm climate. The cultivation of this fruit has long been engaged in the inhabitants of Thailand, Greece, Egypt and Spain.

Fruits with yellow flesh

In appearance they are very similar to ordinary watermelons. The only difference is the presence of a darker color and faint bands. Sometimes on sale you can see completely yellow berries. The color of the pulp is reflected in its taste. This berry is very useful for human health, but it contains less sugar.

For those who do not know where yellow watermelons grow, it will be interesting that the shade of these fruits is due to the presence of carotenoids, which positively influence the intercellular exchange. Also, the flesh of an unusual shade is rich in vitamin A, iron, ascorbic acid, calcium and fiber. Thanks to such an interesting composition, the yellow watermelon improves vision, strengthens immunity, improves the condition of hair, nails and bones.

In the summer months, in the majority of European countries, round yellow watermelons are grown. Inhabitants of the Asian states harvest the oblong fruits in the winter. In Russia, they also brought out their own variety, called Lunny. Its taste resembles several fruits at the same time (lemon, melon and avocado). The most extensive plantations of this unusual fruit are located in Astrakhan.

Cultivation of watermelons in greenhouses

To build a structure in which fruits will keep up is recommended in early spring. The best time to prepare a greenhouse is March and April.

After understanding where the watermelons grow, it should be noted that they should not be planted before the end of May. Plants should be placed along the walls of the greenhouse. The width of one row should not be more than eighty centimeters. It is important to ensure that between neighboring plants there is a distance equal to one meter.

Before planting, it is necessary to properly prepare the soil. To do this, it is fertilized with ammonium sulfate, humus, potassium salts, peat and superphosphate. In the first ten days, the temperature of the air in the greenhouse should not exceed thirty degrees.

Fertilizing and caring for the fruits

Since the moment when the whip has grown to twenty-five centimeters, it must be fertilized. The first feeding should consist of mullein or chicken manure. The second is carried out with ammonium nitrate. Do this shortly before budding. The third time the plants are fertilized before the formation of the ovary. For this, a solution consisting of a mullein (1: 6) or a chicken manure (1:10) is prepared.

Those who already know where watermelons grow will be interested to know that for their watering they use exclusively warm water. It is important that it penetrates through the ground, and not through the leaves or stems. Watering plants is recommended after fertilizing.

To attract pollinating insects, it is possible to spray the plantations with a solution based on honey or sugar. In some cases, this process is performed manually. Pollen, taken from a male flower, is transferred to a female.

On one plant should be no more than six ovaries. To tie watermelons you can use wire trellises. They are pulled at a distance of about half a meter from each other. After the length of the stem reaches forty centimeters, it is tied to the trellis. Those ovaries and shoots, which are located below, it is recommended to remove. Fruits, grown to the size of a large apple, fit into the net and attach to a tensioned wire.

It is important to systematically ventilate the greenhouse in which watermelons are grown. Otherwise, high humidity may cause various plant diseases. Harvesting is recommended to be carried out four days after the last watering.