Description of the watermelon variety Ataman and the F1 hybrid, what are the differences, diseases and pests of the plant

Watermelon is one of the brightest and favorite berries of the summer season. The Ataman variety of watermelon is popular among gardeners, as it combines productivity, disease resistance and excellent taste.

Characteristics and description of watermelons Ataman and Ataman F1

Watermelon Ataman is one of the modern early ripening hybrids.The fruits ripen when direct sowing of seeds into the soil 55-65 days after germination, and when planted by seedlings in 40-45 days. The plant is a powerful bush, characterized by intense growth vigor and developed leaf apparatus.

Comfortable conditions contribute to the formation of 4-5 fruits, each weighing 12-16 kg. The smooth, oval-shaped berries are dark green with light stripes. Under the strong, springy bark there is granular, bright red pulp with a sweet, excellent taste and good consistency. The sugar content of the berry is about 7%.

The watermelon variety Ataman F1 is a Dutch hybrid. It takes 55-65 days to ripen. The plant forms a powerful bush that can bear up to five ovaries. The fruits are spherical or slightly flattened. The peel is moderately thick. The pulp is characterized by juiciness, and the grains are small in size.

Sugar accumulation depends on weather conditions and is about 6.5%.

The description of the culture involves identifying the pros and cons of the watermelon varieties Ataman and Ataman F1. The main advantages thanks to which the plant has earned its place in the garden include:

• high yield, which under favorable conditions amounts to 215 centners per hectare;
• excellent taste and technological characteristics;
• resistance to such common diseases as fusarium and anthracosis;
• the possibility of growing both in greenhouse conditions and in open ground;
• good transportability due to the thick and durable skin of the fruit;
• preservation of the harvest for a month without loss of taste.

Minor disadvantages include dependence on weather conditions and regular watering requirements.

What are the differences

The Ataman variety retains all the qualities of the plant in the next offspring.You can collect seeds from your garden and safely plant them next year. Ataman F1 is distinguished by more uniform seedling formation, straightened plants, high quality and uniformity of fruits and genetic resistance to diseases. But unlike Ataman with Ataman F1 seeds cannot be harvested, as there is a risk of being left without a harvest. Therefore, seeds of this variety will need to be purchased from the store every year.

We provide conditions for good yields

Watermelons Ataman prefers bright sun in the daytime, warmth at night and loose sandy soil in the root zone and in the root collar area.

Soil composition

Watermelon variety Ataman needs sandy, well-aerated soil. In the presence of heavy soil, it is necessary to perform high-quality preparation by deep plowing to increase productivity. Flooded, clayey and poorly heated areas should be avoided.

Humidity and watering

When growing, it is necessary to create comfortable conditions for watermelons, among which watering takes first place. Bushes experiencing moisture deficiency will develop worse, and excessive watering will cause rotting of the vines, and the berries themselves will lose their sugar content. Accordingly, it is necessary to organize proper watering, which should be carried out at the root and using warm water. In case of long rainy days, the plantings should be covered using film, since the crop reacts painfully to high humidity.

2 weeks before harvesting, you need to stop watering so that the berries can pick up the required amount of sugars and the pulp does not become watery.

Top dressing

Watermelon variety Ataman is responsive to fertilizing. Nutrients should be added when the first true leaves are formed, using fertilizers that contain nitrogen and phosphorus.Then you need to saturate it with minerals and organic matter. The feeding schedule must be adjusted. Most often, the frequency of application of fertilizer solutions is 14 days.

At the moment of mass flowering, the plant needs compounds based on potassium and phosphorus. It is recommended to stop fertilizing at the first signs of ripening of the berries.

Agrotechnical features of cultivation

Seeds of the watermelon variety Ataman are sown in the ground or seedlings are grown from them, followed by planting with mulching of the plantings and covering them through arches with a synthetic film.

In the greenhouse

The first condition at growing watermelon in a greenhouse - well prepared room. You can start planting seedlings or seeds in a heated greenhouse in late February until mid-March.

The soil must be nutritious and rich in minerals. Humus with superphosphate will serve as fertilizer. You should make sure in advance that you have a protective film in case of extreme cold.

Having prepared everything you need for growing, you can begin the process itself:

1. Sow the seeds in separate containers with a diameter of 10 cm, after soaking them in warm water with a growth stimulator.
2. During the growth process, water, cover with film and maintain a temperature of 25 ° C.
3. Apply fertilizers on the 10th day after sowing, using complex mineral compounds.
4. At the end of May, transplant the seedlings into well-warmed soil, maintaining a distance of 50-70 cm, and maintain the temperature in the greenhouse from 20 to 25 ° C, and humidity not higher than 60%.

Further care comes down to ventilation and watering, as well as maintaining the temperature in the greenhouse at 20-25 °C and humidity at 60%.

Outdoors

Before planting the Ataman watermelon, you need to choose the right area, which should be spacious and well-lit by the sun.At the first stage, planting without seedlings includes loosening and fertilizing the soil on the site. Also, the seed material should be moistened in warm water, and then sown in furrows 4-7 cm deep.

The distance between planted units should be from 0.7 to 2 meters, and between rows - 1.5 meters.

The seedling method of cultivation requires the following actions:

1. Take separate containers measuring 10 cm in diameter and 12 cm in height and fill them with soil containing peat and humus in equal proportions.
2. Place two seeds in each container to a depth of 3 cm. When the seedlings are formed, the weak ones must be removed.
3. Germinate the plant at a temperature of 20-25 C during the day and 18-20 C at night for 3 weeks. Also provide the necessary amount of light, regularly ventilate and protect from drafts.
4. When warm weather sets in, transplant the seedlings into open soil, sheltering them from the wind, watering and feeding them.

After planting, you need to surround the plants with care: water, fertilize, loosen the soil, removing weeds, and also protect from diseases and pests.

Diseases and pests. Ways to deal with them

Watermelon Ataman is not immune from diseases and pest invasions. The culture is prone to fungal and bacterial diseases. This situation especially worsens during the rainy season, when temperatures drop. The fungus affects the greenery of bushes, roots and fruits. Anthracosis, powdery mildew, root rot, bacterial spot, and fusarium wilt are considered dangerous for watermelon.

Insects such as wireworms, spider mites, melon aphids, and thrips also pose a threat to the crop.They mercilessly destroy crops, feeding on roots, leaves, and many of them are not averse to eating fruits.

To protect a crop from diseases and pests, the main thing is not only to create and maintain an optimal microclimate and a minimal infectious environment. This requires:

• destroy weeds on the site, remove plant debris;
• alternate crops;
• regularly inspect the bushes for signs of diseases and pests, and if a problem is detected, promptly take appropriate measures by treating with specially designed preparations, observing the dosage recommended by the manufacturer when preparing protective agents.

Harvesting

The signal for harvesting the Ataman watermelon variety will be external indicators that indicate maturity:

• discoloration or formation of a waxy coating on the skin;
• deep yellow soil stain;
• resonating when tapped, although this is not always considered an indicator that the watermelon has reached its maximum flavor;
• a dry tendril near the stalk.

Harvesting must be done with extreme caution, avoiding beating and damage to the peel. It is better to cut the fruits from the stem rather than tear them off and unscrew them. During the tearing process, there is a risk of bacteria entering the watermelon, which can cause rotting of the pulp.

Watermelon of the Ataman variety should be used within 2-3 weeks after picking, as the pulp will lose its crispness. It should be stored in a room with an optimal temperature of 10-15 ° C and at a relative humidity of 85-90%.

Conclusion

The key to successful cultivation of Ataman watermelon is sunny, warm weather, when pollination and development of sugary, juicy fruits actively occur.To obtain high-quality products, you need to make some efforts, as well as take into account some of the features of this culture. The main thing is to provide the plant with favorable conditions and enjoy the exquisite taste of healthy and sweet berries.