The process of growing watermelons varieties "Shuga Baby"

Watermelon is considered one of the most popular and favorite summer fruits of most people. Bright and juicy fruit, which is actually a berry, like adults and children.On the territory of Russia grows many species of this gourd culture. We will dwell more on the common variety of watermelon “Sugar Baby” (“Sugar Kid”).

The above variety is considered to be one of the most widespread varieties. A distinctive feature is a small weight of fruits, which varies from 4 to 6 kilograms. Due to this, the plant got its name.

The color of the peel is dark green. Juicy flesh is colored bright red. Excellent taste played an important role in the popularity of this product. The ripening period of watermelon ranges from 70 to 85 days. Due to the very early maturation, the “Shuga Baby” variety can be grown not only in the southern regions. Experienced gardeners grow crops even in Siberia (greenhouse conditions), within the Moscow region and in the middle zone of the country.

This type of melon culture has many positive qualities. The merits of the variety are noted by both experienced agronomists and ordinary gardeners who grow this fruit on private grounds.

There are the following qualities:

• thin peel, due to which the fruit is easy to cut;
• the plant is unpretentious in the care and cultivation;
• the grade will please with a plentiful harvest even in regions with adverse weather conditions;
• the pulp has not only a wonderful sweet taste, but also an amazing aroma with floral notes;
• the plant has strong immunity to most diseases;
• early variety gives the harvest as soon as possible;
• despite its thin skin, the product possesses excellent transportability and does not deteriorate even during long shipments;
• Watermelons can be stored for a long time without loss of quality.

There are practically no cons at all. The only drawback of watermelon is considered to be only the small size of the fruit.

Climatic conditions in central Russia, in the Urals and in the Volga region allow the plant to fully ripen and conserve enough sweetness in the fruit. In Siberia, gardeners use a seedling method of cultivation. Also various shelters are used. Experts note that the lack of sunny days affects the taste of the product. The fruit can be watery and acidic.

Like all representatives of melon crops, this variety loves warmth. For growing choose carefully lit areas without drafts. The ideal soil for cultivation is sandy or sandy. "Sugar Kid" is able to tolerate drought due to the deep root system, getting moisture from deep groundwater. From one square meter of plantings they collect from 10 to 12 kilograms of fruits.

The process of caring for a fruit plant consists of the following:

• from that time, until the watermelons are not spread, you need to regularly get rid of hundreds of weeds;
• periodically loosening the topsoil;
• the plant is watered at the root, watering is carried out depending on weather conditions - if you re-moisten the ground, the watermelon will lose sweetness;
• side shoots pinch, and get rid of excess ovaries.

Due to the fact that the fruits of the variety are of miniature size, experienced gardeners leave no more than three ovaries on the plant. This allows you to achieve the largest yield. It is recommended that the ovaries are located on the main shoot of a watermelon, so that it will be easy to form a plant from one stem. As soon as the ovary appears on the shrub, side branches and the tip should be nipped off.

The variety is characterized by active growth. The first color is formed on the branches a month after disembarkation. Following ovary appear. If night frosts are still possible in the region, a special shelter should be arranged for the plants, otherwise you can lose the harvest.With prolonged summer rains, melon blossom is also protected.

The Sugar Kid grade is grown up by two methods:

• direct sowing;
• with seedlings.

In the southern part of Russia, the direct method of sowing is more often chosen due to the long summer, early spring and hot climate. As a rule, after the occurrence of warm weather in the region, the possibility of returning frosts is excluded. The optimal conditions for direct planting - warming the soil from 15 to 18 degrees at a depth of 10 centimeters.

On the territory of the middle belt and, in particular, in the Moscow region, the plant is grown by seedling using ready seedlings. Seeds begin to germinate about 30 days before landing in the ground. For a month, 2-3 leaflets should appear on the sapling. By the time of landing, the air temperature should be set at between 20 and 25 degrees Celsius.

For this region, planting in the ground falls at the beginning of summer, and therefore the grains should be prepared for growing seedlings at the beginning of the last spring month.

Given the climate, in Siberia, watermelons are grown only through seedlings, using additional shelter. As a rule, these are ordinary greenhouses or light film structures, which are removed from the land with the advent of heat.

To save space, in such buildings, the culture is grown on supports, vertically. Necessary distance between shrubs - 70 centimeters. When sown in open ground, the gap is increased to one meter.

Due to the fact that the seeds of the variety “Sugar Baby” have a hard and strong shell, they are recommended to germinate before planting in the soil. This will ensure a high percentage of seedlings. To harden the plant from diseases and attacks from pests, the material is treated with a solution of potassium permanganate. After the grains are placed in a damp cloth until sprouts appear.

Next, the seed can be planted in a moist soil to a depth of no more than 5 centimeters. If the soil is warm enough, the seedlings will be noticeable in about a week.

From the weeds on the watermelon flower beds, you must definitely get rid of. The land around the shrubs weed only once, when the bushes are very small. In the event that the shoots are already stretched along the ground and covered with color, it is not necessary to uproot high weeds. The vegetation will protect the crop from excessive sunlight in hot and dry weather.

The variety has a developed root system, despite the compact size of the fruit. As already noted, sandy and sandy land is ideal for growing. It is strongly not recommended to plant the plant in clay soil or black soil. Despite the fact that the latter type of soil is great for most fruit crops, it is not the best choice for watermelons.

Experienced gardeners planted the boundaries of the land, where it is planned to grow watermelons, corn or sunflower. High plants play the role of hedge, protecting the bushes from strong gusts of wind and scorching sunlight. A thick transparent film is useful if the summer rainy season is long. With its help, young shoots protect.

The first fruits are covered with bricks. They attract the sun's heat and transmit it to the fruit. This is an effective and beneficial way to keep warm after sunset.

Various feedings are used for rich and abundant fruiting.Properly chosen and timely fertilizers will help the plant to develop, strengthen the immune system and have a positive effect on the taste of the fruit. When growing varieties "Sugar Kid" uses a variety of compositions.

Organic fertilizers are vegetable and animal. The most common feedings of the second type are litter and humus. It is impossible to use concentrated manure for growing watermelons, otherwise the fruits may become sluggish and lose their saturated color. It is also fraught with the accumulation of nitrates.

Before using the concentrate is diluted in water, observing the ratio of 1/5. Shrubs are carefully watered after adding a top dressing.

Wood ash and herbal infusions are also used. For the preparation of this infusion suitable conventional dried hay.

Mineral fertilizers include the following substances and elements:

• sulfur;
• nitrogen;
• magnesium;
• potassium;
• iron;
• phosphorus;
• calcium.

The latter is considered the most popular. Element at times increases the resistance of plants to diseases and harmful insects. It also contributes to the development of female flowers on the shrub. Calcium also affects the taste of the pulp. Ascorbic acid and sugar accumulate in fruits.

Calcium and magnesium should be made in the period from 4 to 6 weeks after the appearance of sprouts. In the process of formation and formation of the crop, about 12 weeks, add nitrogen.

Both experienced gardeners and beginners in this business willingly share their opinions and thoughts about various cultures in the vast World Wide Web. Variety watermelon "Sugar Kid" - is no exception. In the network you can find many posts about this gourd culture. It may be noted that most of the reviews are positive.

Many Russian summer residents, as well as residents of neighboring states were satisfied with their choice. Berry has proven itself in the industrial sector as well as for personal cultivation. The main positive qualities that users emphasize are the excellent taste of watermelon and unpretentious care. They also paid attention to the resistance of the plant to diseases.

In opposite reviews, some gardeners noted that they are opting for larger varieties.

Review the characteristics of watermelon varieties "Sugar Baby”, see the following video.