Honey melon has a rich set of useful microelements and vitamins, thanks to which its regular consumption has a beneficial effect on the condition of the human body. The variety is not capricious to grow, which is why many summer residents have already planted it in their beds.
Description of the variety
The Honey melon variety first appeared in Asia. The wild fruits of this plant are found on this continent. Cultivated cultivation is carried out in the Mediterranean. There are several varieties of such melons, which do not differ much from each other in characteristics.
Honey fruits are round-oval in shape, with no depressions or grooves. The skin is smooth and rich yellow when ripe. A distinctive feature is the color of the pulp at the stage of technical ripeness. Closer to the skin it is greenish, and in the center it is yellow. The taste of the fruit is sweet, the aroma is classic and strong.
Growing
In the conditions of the middle zone, Honey melon is grown in seedlings to obtain an early harvest. Sowing of seeds is carried out in the first half of April. They are pre-soaked and germinated. For seedlings, choose soil with neutral acidity, not too greasy.
Honey seedlings are planted in open ground in the last ten days of May. The best place for planting is where legumes, potatoes or cabbage grew last season. The bed is located in a windless and sunny area. The distance between the holes is left at least half a meter. Humus is added to each. You cannot bury Honey seedlings.
Features of care
Caring for Honeydew melon consists of timely application of fertilizing, pinching, watering and loosening the soil. The first feeding is carried out 2 weeks after planting in open ground.
They use saltpeter, mullein or chicken droppings for this. Subsequent feedings are done at intervals of 2 weeks, but complex mineral fertilizers are used for them.
After the sixth leaf appears, pinch the top of the melon. This will encourage the growth of side shoots. Of these, you should leave only a couple of the strongest ones, and remove the rest. Honey plants form up to 5 ovaries on one plant; if their number is greater, then the weak and late formed ones must be removed.
Honey melons are able to grow without artificial irrigation at all.But in the garden they are watered once a week at the root, trying to prevent water from getting on the foliage. Excess moisture leads to cracking of the fruit. For this reason, after the formation of ovaries, the amount of irrigation is reduced to a minimum.
Advantages and disadvantages
Honey melon has significant advantages over its competitors, including:
- mid-early fruit ripening;
- good yield;
- low maintenance requirements;
- high content of vitamins and beneficial microelements in fruits;
- excellent taste;
- Possibility of growing in a greenhouse and in open ground.
No significant deficiencies were identified in the variety. You just need to know that people with individual intolerance or those suffering from diabetes should avoid eating any kind of melon, including Honey melon.
Pests and diseases
Breeders work year after year to develop melon varieties that are resistant to the most common diseases and pests.
The desired result is not always obtained. Honey melons may be susceptible to the following types of diseases:
- powdery mildew;
- downy mildew;
- fusarium wilt;
- anthracnose
Pests also cause trouble for gardeners, among which the following are in first place:
- melon aphid;
- spider mite;
- wireworm;
- melon flies.
The main preventive measures are not only timely preventive treatments, but also timely removal of plant remains from the beds and removal of diseased plantings. They are the primary sources of disease.
Harvest and storage
Honey melons are harvested as the fruits ripen.If the first frost is expected and they do not have time to ripen on the site, then ripening can take place at home. To do this, melons are placed in wooden boxes lined with straw or sawdust. In a dark and cool place, the shelf life of the crop increases significantly.
Honeydew melon is suitable not only for fresh consumption, but also for all types of processing. If you get a lot of fruits, you can prepare delicious preserves from them.
Reviews from gardeners
Honey melons have already taken pride of place in the beds of domestic summer residents and farmers. They are happy to share their feedback about this culture.
Andrey Sergeevich, beginning farmer: “While developing my farm, I decided to try growing honey melons. The first experience was positive. The harvest was good, although somewhat later than expected. Next season I will take into account previous mistakes and will definitely cultivate this variety again.”
Nina Semyonovna, an experienced summer resident: “I recently started growing melons on my plot. They are a bit of a hassle, and my health does not allow me to constantly tinker in the garden. I tried the Honey variety on the seller’s recommendation and never regretted it. The fruits really lived up to their name, only they were a little small in size. Perhaps my mistakes and insufficient care took their toll.”
Angelina Vladislavovna, summer resident: “My family and I purchased a summer cottage several years ago and decided to grow natural products there. Melons were sown first. A couple of years ago, a neighbor recommended trying melons of the Honey variety, which showed excellent results for her, and also shared her growing secrets. It must be admitted that with insignificant labor and material costs, we fully provided ourselves with a melon harvest in the summer season.And most importantly, we did not use chemical additives or fertilizers, so the crops we grew were environmentally friendly and healthy!”
