Why can a melon have orange flesh inside, what are these varieties?

We are all used to seeing white or creamy melon pulp in the markets. But many people do not know that there are hybrids of melons with orange flesh, like a pumpkin. Among these varieties is the Princess Mary melon, which we will now learn more about.

Melon variety Princess Maria

It is grown mainly in greenhouses in central Russia. In the hot climate of Russia they grow in open beds.Usually grown in Central Asia, as there is hot sunshine, which melons love very much.

The variety is early ripening. Externally, the melon is gray-green in color, inside it is orange. The taste is sweet, the flesh is juicy and sweet, and has a bright nutmeg smell. Even when grown in unfavorable weather conditions, the variety produces a high yield. The shape is round, close to ovoid, the fruits ripen up to 1.5 kilograms. It is highly resistant to diseases. Intended for consumption immediately after collection. Cannot be stored.

Why is the flesh orange inside?

These melons have orange flesh inside due to the high content of beta-carotene or provitamin A, which is responsible for the youth of the body, the renewal of old cells and the cleansing of blood vessels from atherosclerotic plaques. It is used to improve vision, male potency, and protects the skin from ultraviolet rays. But it is not recommended for diabetics to consume, as the pulp contains a large amount of sugar.

In addition to provitamin A, melon is rich in microelements such as:

• ascorbic acid or vitamin C;
• folic acid;
• potassium;
• silicon;
• manganese;
• iodine;
• retinol;
• iron;
• tocopherol;
• riboflavin;
• chlorophyll.

All these microelements, when consumed fresh, help cope with diseases, renew the body's cells, cleanse the walls of blood vessels and help strengthen the immune system. Since they have a sweet taste, not only adults, but also children love to eat melons. Their growing bodies require vitamins and minerals for harmonious development.

Other orange-fleshed melons

In addition to Princess Mary, a huge number of varieties of melons with different colors of pulp are grown:

• green;
• white;
• yellow;
• orange blossom;
• creamy

Also a large number of exotic fruits of different shapes:

1. cucumber;
2. banana;
3. horned;
4. serpentine.

All these varieties are united by the name - melon.

Contalupa

The fruits are grown in Asia. The weight depends on the variety and varies from 600 grams to 2 kilograms. The second name of the variety is cantaloupe. The fruits are round and green with a gray tint. The melon pulp is deep orange inside. With a higher beta-carotene content, the color is darker. The pulp is juicy and dense. The amount of sugar in the fruits of this variety is less than in other Asian varieties.

Charente

Small French fruits are early ripening hybrids. The flesh is deep orange. The peel is yellow-gray with green stripes. It is grown everywhere, including in the Russian Federation. When grown, it does not require special conditions and produces good yields.

Iroquois

Produced by breeders on the basis of Cantaloupe fruits, medium ripening, high yielding. Resistant to fusarium and powdery mildew.

From seed germination to the receipt of ripe vegetables under favorable growing conditions, 80 days pass. The berries grow weighing up to 1.7 kilograms. The skin is dense and hard. When ripe, it is light green in color, then gray, with a convex pattern over the entire surface. The pulp of the fruit is juicy, dense, orange in color. Has a sweet taste.

Orange

Russian breeders have developed the Orange variety. It has an average ripening period, is characterized by productivity and rapid growth of vines. When ripe, the fruits reach a size of 1.6–2 kilograms. They are grown in the southern part of the country in open beds; in Siberia, the seeds are grown in seedlings, otherwise they will not have time to ripen. The skin is hard, with an ornament on the entire surface and longitudinal green stripes.The main color is gray-yellow. The melon pulp is orange, juicy, with a pleasant melon smell.

Charlotte

It takes 85 days from planting the seeds to the ripening of the fruit; the variety is mid-early. They are grown in open beds spread out or in greenhouses on a trellis. The fruits are orange inside and outside. The pulp of the ripe fruit is bright orange and juicy. When the fruit is fully ripe, it is sugary and melts in the mouth.

Portent

An early ripe hybrid for growing in greenhouses and open beds. The bush is powerful, resistant to popular diseases. The berries reach a size of 1.3–1.5 kilograms. The juicy and dense interior has a rich sweet taste and aroma of melon. The color of the melon pulp is orange, the skin is light gray with a yellow tint and green stripes along the berry. A relief mesh with an ornament runs across the entire surface.

Altai

The variety is suitable for cultivation in the northern regions of Russia, and is often used for cultivation in the Urals. The variety is unpretentious to growing conditions and care. Differs in early ripening. Round-shaped melons grow up to 2 kilograms under favorable conditions. Skin color is gray with a green tint. The pulp is orange, juicy and dense. Has a melon aroma. When grown in humid conditions, it is disease resistant.

Who is the use indicated for?

The benefits of consuming melon have been proven for the following diseases:

• cardiovascular pathologies;
• for colds, flu and viral infections;
• to relieve nervousness during stress and neuroses;
• for diseases of the genitourinary system;
• for constipation, hemorrhoids, diseases of the digestive system;
• anemia;
• disorders of the gallbladder and kidneys;
• rids the body of helminths.

The silicon content has a positive effect on the formation of nail plates and hair, improves digestion, and helps improve mood.

When should you not eat melon?

If the following diseases are detected, this berry should not be eaten:

1. Acute form of disease of the biliary tract, genitourinary organs, the presence of stones or sand in the gall bladder or kidneys.
2. Acute form of inflammation of the pancreas.
3. For stomach ulcers, gastrointestinal tract infections, gastritis, and inflammation of the rectum.
4. If a prediabetic condition or diabetes mellitus is detected.

How to grow a variety on a plot?

Growing melon varieties in the garden is very simple. But if cooling quickly sets in in the region, then it is better to use the method of growing through seedlings and then transplanting the plants into a greenhouse.

The seeds are germinated in damp gauze, then planted in containers for seedlings. The soil chosen is fertile and loose. For better seed germination, cover with film until the first shoots appear. Then the film is removed, the containers are placed in a well-lit and warm place for further growth.

When the temperature in the room where the melons are planned to be planted reaches 22–25 degrees, and the soil warms up to at least 15 degrees, the seedlings are transplanted. In greenhouses, melons grow on a trellis, in beds in a horizontal way. 4 plants are planted per square meter.

Melon requirements for growing conditions

Since berries came to us from hot and sunny Asia, India and other countries with hot climates, we also require the presence of sun. They require at least eight hours of sun to mature. Otherwise, the fruits will not ripen.

Plants require fertilizing.So, when growing, gardeners feed the crop at least three times with organic and mineral fertilizers.

The soil should not be allowed to dry out; an environment that is too humid is also dangerous for plants. The roots will rot. Moderate care is needed in everything; this is the key to obtaining a high-quality harvest of tasty and healthy melons in our climatic conditions.

Reviews of varieties of orange melons

Despite the exotic nature of this fruit, the variety is successfully grown by gardeners in Russia and neighboring countries.

Nikolay speaks about cultivation as follows: “Last year the neighbors persuaded plant a melon on the site, they gave seeds and recommendations for growing. I planted it in an open garden bed, since my greenhouse is always full of tomatoes and cucumbers. I grew it in the usual way - by planting seeds in the ground. The weather that year was disgusting, so at first the sprouts did not sprout for a long time, and when active growth began, it began to get colder. Therefore, the fruits did not have time to ripen. This year I decided to plant several melons in the greenhouse; I am already growing seedlings. I hope to get good results."

Marina: “I set aside a place specifically for growing melons and watermelons in a greenhouse. Last year I received fruits weighing about 1.5 kilograms. She let the lashes go along the trellis, otherwise the ground would not be visible because of the greenery. I planted the Charente variety. The melons are delicious, the flesh is juicy, dense, melts in your mouth. Therefore, this year I will plant melons in the garden. I will try to grow it in an open area by growing seedlings. They say that the variety gives a good harvest even in open beds.”

Grigory: “I’m from Belarus, our climate is cool, but the summers are hot. Therefore, I decided to plant a melon in the garden. Moreover, grandchildren love these fruits for their sweet taste.I read a lot of books on growing melons, pumpkins are also one of them. I grew it in seedlings and planted the seeds at the same time as the tomatoes. The seedlings at home grew quickly and stood on the windowsill where the sun shines for half a day. At the end of May, I transplanted it into a bed previously fed with mullein. I took care of them like I did other plants: watered them, loosened them, weeded them. The melons grew a kilogram, from eight plants there were 16 melons. I was pleased with the harvest. The pulp was juicy, ripened, sweet, the grandchildren could not be torn away from the beds. Everyone was waiting for him to grow up.”