Watermelon is considered a heat-loving plant, so many believe that the cultivation of such a culture in the northern or central regions is impossible. In fact, this sweet and huge berry can be obtained absolutely in any region, if you build a greenhouse on the garden plot and adhere to all rules concerning the maintenance of plants.
Is it possible to grow watermelons all year round in a greenhouse?
Growing watermelons in the greenhouse is aimed at getting the crop of this crop in the central and northern region of the country. The year-round cultivation of watermelons is unlikely to succeed, because for this crop it is necessary to comply with all the prescribed planting dates. By the way, square watermelons can also be grown in a greenhouse.
A greenhouse is needed to correct the weather conditions and make them more suitable for the growth of such plants. In the off-season, the cultivation of watermelons in even in the greenhouse is unlikely to end in success, because the berry will not have enough sunlight to fully ripen. In that case, if you still get the harvest, it will not be so tasty and sugary.
In order to start growing watermelons in a greenhouse, you first need to build a covering structure. The size of the land and the greenhouse itself will depend on the wishes of the gardener. It should be borne in mind that such plants are planted at a distance of 1 meter from each other, so for growing 10 bushes you need a construction with an area of 10 square meters, with a length of 5 meters and a width of 2 meters.
In order to decide on which structure will be better suited to others, their characteristics should be considered:
In order for a watermelon to ripen and give a good harvest even in the northern region, it is necessary to choose the right variety, it must be zoned and refers to the early or average ripening period. The following varieties of watermelon are popular:
- Siberian;
- Near Charleston;
- Gift to the north;
- Light;
- Cinderella, etc.
Moscow Charleston
Seeds suitable for growing a crop should be large and heavy. Hollow planting material will not be able to adapt to environmental conditions.
Planting and do-it-yourself culture care
In order to grow a watermelon in a greenhouse, you need to take into account many factors affecting this process. In addition to their need to care for, water and feed.
Growing seedlings
In order to get watermelons from seeds, it is first necessary to grow seedlings. It is necessary to plant seeds at the end of April. As a fertile soil using a mixture of pernoy, sod land, sand and mineral fertilizers.
Peat pots, plastic cups or cut bottles filled with fertile soil are used as containers for growing seedlings. Seeds are sown one by one, deepening them by 3-4 centimeters.
Опытные садоводы считают, что арбузы не должны лежать на земле во время созревания плодов, поэтому их помещают в отдельную сетку и подвешивают к шпалере.
Опыление
После того, как появятся желтые цветки, их необходимо будет самостоятельно опылить. В открытом грунте с этой работой справляются пчелы, но в теплице такие " работники"="" отсутствуют.="">The whole process takes place according to the following rules:
- It is very important not to miss the indicated deadlines, because the male flowers fall off after a few hours, and the female flowers will be able to pollinate for only 3 days;
- Male flowers (the largest and without the ovary) gently tear and remove the petals so as not to damage the pollen;
- Stamens are applied to the pistils several times.
The possibility of joint planting watermelons with melons and tomatoes
Growing watermelons in the greenhouse is quite an interesting process and with proper skill this culture can be located in the same room with other plants:
- In order not to wait for favorable time for planting watermelons, you can grow early greens or radishes in the greenhouse, which will be useful predecessors;
- Watermelon is a drought-resistant crop, next to which tomatoes and eggplants are successfully grown. These plants have similar needs and care rules.
- Melons are also good neighbors for watermelons. By the way, you can even put them on the same bed.
