Description of the melon variety Kolkhoznitsa, cultivation characteristics and yield

Among the melon crops, the Kolkhoznitsa melon, which has, in addition to excellent taste, other qualities, is common among summer residents. The variety is not picky about the weather and climatic characteristics of the growing regions. Due to their early ripening, yellow fruits with sweet and juicy pulp are cultivated in Siberia. And the conditions in central Russia are enough for the berries to ripen in the garden.

Description of the variety Kolkhoznitsa

Melon is classified as a member of the Cucurbitaceae family, like watermelon. And the fruits of the plants are scientifically called pumpkins or false berries. The melon variety Kolkhoznitsa has a branched structure of stems that spread along the ground, reaching a length of 3 meters. Many shoots together make up a length of 30 meters. The root system of the plant has long shoots that go into the ground to a depth of 2–3 meters. Therefore, the plant can obtain food for itself even in severe drought. The leaves of the Kolkhoznitsa melon are oval-round, their plates are all shades of green in color. Cup-shaped, yellow flowers form on the shoots.

The characteristics of the fruits - pumpkins of the melon culture include the fact that they:

• round shape;
• weighing from 1 to 2 kilograms;
• with a golden peel covered with a “mesh of wrinkles”;
• very sweet;
• with white, crispy, elastic flesh.

Pumpkin varieties are distinguished by good transportability and excellent presentation. And the fruits of melons can be collected from the beds from the first days of August until September, and in the southern regions - until the end of October.

They prefer to grow Kolkhoznitsa for its ability to ripen quickly and not be afraid of weather disasters.

Landing in the ground

Growing the Kolkhoznitsa melon involves growing it directly in the open ground. But since this is a heat-loving crop, it is better to create ridges for planting the plant, making them 50–60 centimeters high from horse or cow manure. Melon seeds are placed in holes where nutritious soil is poured in advance. The distance between the holes should be 60–70 centimeters. This method helps to obtain harvests of Kolkhoznitsa melon at an earlier date in areas with a temperate climate.

You can sow melon directly into the ground when the threat of frost with air temperatures of up to 12–15 degrees Celsius has passed. In the steppe regions, planting dates vary from May 10 to May 20, in the rest - later, until June 1. Pre-germinated seeds can be planted in the soil later.

Choose a site for a heat-loving plant that is sunny and not exposed to winds. After loosening the soil, humus and river sand are added to the holes for looseness and better heating. Seeds are planted in each nest at a distance of 1.3x1.3 meters to a depth of 5 and 3 centimeters.

Sow in layers in order to protect emerging seedlings from spring frosts. If the shoots of both layers are preserved, the shoots that appear later can be destroyed.

Plants in open ground are preserved well by inter-row crops, when rows of corn or sunflowers are planted nearby. Proper planting in the beds requires the emergence of seedlings in 7–10 days.

Preparing seedlings

To successfully grow Kolkhoznitsa melon, they use the seedling method. 30 days before planting the melon in open ground or a greenhouse, melon seedlings are prepared. Sown in nutritious and loose soil in boxes, it develops successfully with regular watering and fertilizing. Plant the seedlings into separate containers after the appearance of 2 true leaves. Before planting in open ground, the seedlings are hardened by taking them out into the open air.

When a plant is sown in boxes in a greenhouse, the room is ventilated, and on warm days the windows are opened for two hours, then for the whole day.

In order for the seedlings to become strong, it is necessary to follow the rules for preparing seeds and soil for sowing melons.

Preparing seeds for cultivation

The future harvest of yellow fruits depends on the planting material. Rejection and seed treatment for melon cultivation plays a big role.Intact seeds are selected, which are then placed in growth stimulants. It is imperative to disinfect the material in a solution of potassium permanganate or boric acid. After this, the seeds are washed and placed on a cloth for easy drying.

To harden the plant, the seeds are placed in a cool room or refrigerator for a day, then in warm water at a temperature of 35 degrees. It is better to carry out this procedure three times.

Preparatory measures will ensure that the Kolkhoznitsa melon will be able to withstand cultivation in open ground and reach ripeness with proper care.

Let's start sowing

Plant seeds must be planted in disposable plastic or peat cups. The containers are filled with soil in advance, using a mixture of garden soil saturated with peat, wood ash, and river sand. Hardened seeds are planted in fertilized soil to a depth of 5 centimeters. It is better to place 2 seeds, leaving the strongest and most viable sprout later.

The container with seeds is placed in a warm place with a temperature of 20 degrees. At night, the indicator can drop to 15. Kolkhoznitsa melon seedlings appear after 7 days. They are watered, and when 3 full leaves appear, the top of the main shoot is pinched. After this, lateral processes will begin to appear. To protect seedlings from damage by root rot, sprinkle sand around the stem.

Melon seedlings can be planted 25–30 days after germination.

Planting care: watering and fertilizing melons

Features of caring for Kolkhoznitsa melon plantings consist of:

• glaze;
• applying fertilizer;
• loosening the soil;
• weeding.

To increase the yield of pumpkins, it is necessary to thin out the plantings, leaving no more than 3-4 seedlings in a hole. During the period of fruit set, it is better to pin the lashes to the ground.This will allow additional roots to form. Dig a hole and place a leaf petiole there. Then sprinkle with soil and water. This will create a new plant.

Pinching the main stem above 4–5 leaves will speed up fruiting and increase the number of ovaries.

Water melon plantings often, especially during fruit formation. Then the frequency of soil moisture is reduced to allow the pumpkins to become ripe.

Plants are fed by:

1. The first time when 2 true leaves appear, use bird droppings diluted in a ratio of 1:15.
2. After 2–3 weeks, water the wells with 0.5 liters of a nutrient solution of superphosphate (50 grams), potassium salt (15 grams) and ammonium nitrate (20 grams) per bucket of water.
3. Repeat feeding after 3 weeks with mineral fertilizers in liquid form.

To successfully grow melon, it is necessary to loosen the row spacing, carrying out the procedure three times during the summer. First, loosen the soil when the first true leaf appears to a depth of 13 centimeters, then - to 8.

The fruits will be sweet and ripened on time if they comply with the norms of watering and the amount of fertilizer.

Diseases and pests

The Kolkhoznitsa melon grows quickly, without damage, if it is not attacked by fungal infections. Among the common diseases of melons and melons are:

• powdery mildew;
• fusarium;
• root rot;
• copperhead

The appearance of spots on the leaves, their yellowing, stunting of melon growth, and the appearance of ugly fruits are the result of the pathological action of fungi. Plants are treated three times with fungicidal preparations, and diseased plants are destroyed.

The most common pest is the spider mite. Melon fly larvae overwinter in the ground, and in the spring they develop into insects. Females lay eggs in the pulp of the fruit, which causes the melon to rot.Caterpillars of the gnawing cutworm also cause damage to Kolkhoznitsa melon plantings. They destroy the leaves and stems of the plant. They fight parasites using insecticidal drugs. Treating crops with a solution of laundry soap and tobacco dust helps.

Only compliance with the rules of agricultural technology for melons will lead to the fact that diseases and pests will bypass it.

Growing melon in a polycarbonate greenhouse

As a heat-loving plant, Kolkhoznitsa melon will grow better in a polycarbonate greenhouse, cultivation in which is not much different from cultivation in open ground.

An important point is the temperature at which the seedlings will begin to grow faster. Its optimal temperature is 20–25 degrees with a humidity of 70–80 percent. If there is little lighting, then additional illumination is organized with fluorescent lamps suspended at a distance of 50 centimeters above the plants.

To get a large harvest of juicy fruits, loosen the soil in the greenhouse, moderate watering and fertilizing with mineral and organic fertilizers.

Ripening time of melon Kolkhoznitsa

The variety of melon plant belongs to the mid-season species, therefore, when planting seeds in May, fruits are obtained at the end of July. Although the Kolkhoznitsa melon will not fully ripen by this time, pumpkins should already be collected in regions with a temperate climate. A decrease in temperature at night will cause growth to stop and lead to rotting of the fruit. Pumpkin varieties have reached full maturity in a dry and dark room at a temperature of 15–18 degrees. Before eating the fruit, you can determine the ripeness of the Kolkhoznitsa melon, just like a watermelon. When you tap the pumpkin, a dull sound is heard. And the peel of a ripe fruit will be bright in color.

Harvest

Inexperienced gardeners have doubts about the timing of harvesting healthy pumpkins from the beds. Here you need to rely on weather conditions. A decrease in air temperature and heavy rains will lead to the destruction of the crop. It is better to remove fruits that will have the shape of a ball earlier. It is known how much the Kolkhoznitsa melon weighs. Only 1.5–2 kilograms, but there will be a lot of fruit. Orange pumpkins with a clear mesh pattern are usually already ripe and ready to eat. It is not worth storing fruits for a long time. They can be placed in a dark place only until they ripen. For the winter, marmalade and jam are prepared from ripe pumpkins, and the pulp is dried. But it is better to eat the fruits fresh.

How to choose a Kolkhoznitsa melon?

Not suitable for food green melon Collective farmer. Pumpkins with bright yellow skin are served on the table. Rotten and damaged areas on fruits are easy to notice. It is better to throw away such melons.

When buying Kolkhoznitsa melon, pay attention to the aroma, which intensifies when cutting the fruit. Considering the ripening time of the healthy berry, you should not buy it before August. After all, early fruits are obtained by artificial feeding with chemicals, which will negatively affect health. The best option would be to grow melons and melons on your own plot.

The benefits of melon for the body

The beneficial qualities of melon have been known since ancient times. In terms of their composition, the fruits of the melon culture cannot be compared with other representatives of the Pumpkin family. Kolkhoznitsa melon contains vitamins that have a beneficial effect on the course of pregnancy in women. Those who eat tasty pulp are less likely to get colds.

The dietary product helps to get rid of excess weight. The berry cleanses the body well of waste and toxins.The fruits contain a lot of iron, which is important for people suffering from anemia. Magnesium has a beneficial effect on the nervous system, calming it. And calcium strengthens bone tissue.

But pumpkins bring not only benefits, but also harm if:

• consume them with milk, honey, alcoholic drinks;
• there are diseases of the digestive tract;
• a woman breastfeeds her baby;
• stones were identified in the genitourinary system;
• diagnosed with diabetes mellitus.

Therefore, before eating pumpkin, you need to consider whether the Kolkhoznitsa melon will bring benefit or harm to the body.