A square watermelon looks very unusual, because we are used to the fact that the watermelons are round. However, recently such fruits have ceased to be a curiosity. Let's figure out what is the secret of this shape and how to grow such berries on your own?
The history of the appearance of unusual shapes of berries
Watermelons appeared in the shape of a square about 30 years ago in the land of the rising sun - Japan. Then Japanese breeders in Kagawa Prefecture on the island of Shikoku for the first time tried to make an unconventional fruit.
Why are square watermelons grown?
Initially, square fruits were created with the aim of more convenient and comfortable transportation of products. This form made it possible to compactly place watermelons and not beat them during transportation. In addition, the unusual type of berry attracted attention and thus formed a new business branch. People began to grow such watermelons and earn money on them.
Where is it grown?
Today, not only Japan sells watermelons of an unusual shape. Brazil and the UAE joined it. Such crops grow best in southern latitudes. However, even in Moscow and other cities of central Russia, one can already find square fruits grown on their own beds.
What's the secret to the square shape of the watermelon?
There is no special “square” type of watermelon. So what is the secret of this form? It is simple: at a certain moment, the fetus is placed in a special container of rigid fixation, which gives the watermelon the desired shape. This container can be made of plastic, plastic or glass.
Making a square shape with your own hands
Do not spend money on a mold for growing watermelons, but create it yourself. To do this, you will need the following tools and materials:
- the main material of the box (polycarbonate, plexiglass or plywood) - 1 sheet (panel) with an approximate thickness of 12 mm;
- metal corner with a width of at least 30 mm;
- door hinges - 4 pcs.;
- door clamps - 2 pcs.;
- fastening elements - bolts with nuts, self-tapping screws;
- jigsaw;
- drill;
- screwdriver;
- feather drill with a diameter of 0.25 cm.
Container creation process:
- Cut 6 blanks from the main material of the box. At the same time, make one with dimensions of 25 × 25 cm, and the other a little more. In this case, the diagonal of the container must be wider than the diagonal of the watermelon itself, otherwise it will not fit.
- Prepare the blanks for assembly. On the workpiece, which will be the top cover, drill a 2.5 cm hole.Cut a strip about 2 cm wide from it to the edge.
- Assemble the construction. Attach 2 door hinges to the wall on the side and cover. In this case, the ends of the walls on the sides should be covered with a cover.
Next, connect the blanks with self-tapping screws with protruding caps. If necessary, reinforce the box joints with metal corners.
- Take the finishing touches. Attach the 2 remaining door hinges to the bottom of the box to create a second door. It will be needed when removing the fetus from the mold. Place the clips on both doors. And cut some small ventilation holes in the corners of the structure. For better heat absorption, make the box black or transparent.
Pros and cons of growing unusual fruits
Square watermelons have certain advantages over round ones:
- low risk of damage to fruits during transportation;
- the possibility of a compact arrangement of berries during their storage;
- convenient form for slicing portioned pieces;
- long shelf life - as some sources say, such a watermelon can be stored for about a year and does not deteriorate.
But this culture also has such disadvantages:
- fruit ripeness associated with the berry being in the container for shaping;
- the risk of getting damaged in contact with the container - if it is too tight, then the berry, growing, is deformed;
- decreased taste.
Growing features
In order for square-shaped watermelons to please their harvest, it is necessary to choose the right place for planting it. It should be sunny and unshaded. This gourd does not like shade. At the same time, the soil should be structured, rich in trace elements and non-acidic.
If the soil does not meet these requirements, mix a little lime or wood ash into it. And add sand from the river to the light and loose soil while digging.
Do not plant watermelons where other melons, cucumbers and cabbage used to grow. In this case, there is a risk of infecting the seeds with harmful viruses. Grow a crop where there were peas, potatoes, corn, or sunflowers.
Seed preparation and planting
Most often, watermelons are grown from seedlings. The essence of this method is that in March the seeds are planted in small cups and, after the emergence of sprouts, they are moved into the open ground.
This method is applicable in those regions where the climate does not allow growing melon directly under the open sky.
How to grow seedlings:
- soak the seeds for 3 days in a growth stimulator;
- put them in the refrigerator for 2 days;
- sow the prepared seeds in cups with fertile soil;
- cover the seedlings with foil.
So that the seeds hatch in time and develop normally, water them regularly, ventilate and maintain the optimum temperature for them at +25 and above degrees. Do not grow seedlings on the windowsill, as gourds do not like temperature fluctuations.
After 1.5 weeks, watermelon sprouts will appear. Plant the crop in open ground at the end of the last spring month - early summer. The seedlings should already have at least 5 leaves. The weather should be warm and sunny during planting. Add humus to the soil before planting.
Seedling Care Before Fitting
The first 2 weeks after planting the sprouts outdoors, take proper care of them:
- regularly pour seedlings with warm water - 1 time per week or 1 time in 3 days if there is heat;
- cover them overnight when the temperature drops;
- systematically loosen the soil and feed the melon with liquid organic fertilizers;
- ventilate the sprouts by lifting the film (if they are covered);
- get rid of emerging weeds;
- mulch the holes with a 10 cm layer of straw.
Growing in a greenhouse
If you live in cold climates, grow watermelons in a greenhouse. The optimal height of such a greenhouse is about 1.7 m. At the same time, only melon plants grow in it, since watermelons do not like another neighborhood in a confined space. The humidity in the greenhouse should not exceed 60%, and the temperature should not exceed +30 degrees.
Sow the seeds of watermelons in the soil of the greenhouse, not the seedlings. Water the crop regularly and ventilate the greenhouse. Despite the outer protection, keep a watermelon cover ready in case the temperature drops overnight.
When and how to put into the form and what to do next?
When the watermelon grows to the size of a tennis ball (this is about 6-10 cm in diameter), place it in a made container to make the fruit square. Do this by threading the loop of the watermelon through the hole in the basket.
What to do after placing the fetus in a container:
- adjust the watermelon so that its strips are clearly vertically along its faces;
- water the crop abundantly;
- cover the container on top so that there is no overheating.
After the watermelon reaches the size of the container, it will begin to take its shape. Usually the ripening period of a crop after planting under the open sky is about 95-100 days. Most importantly, do not miss the moment when the watermelon is already ripe, but will not become too large. This must not be allowed, otherwise he will tear the box.
After the berry reaches its maturity, remove it from the garden bed, twisting the stalk several times, and remove it from the box. For a refillable container, simply remove its lid.
It so happens that after being removed from the container, the watermelon is not bright enough. To fix this, leave the berries in the sun for 2-3 days.
How to determine the degree of ripeness of fruits?
The signs of ripened fruit in square watermelons are the same as in round ones:
- dry peduncle;
- muffled sound when tapped;
- yellowed part of the watermelon below.
By the way, square-shaped watermelons may not fully ripen due to a mismatch in the size of the container. If the capacity is too small, further growth of the berry will lead to its cracking. It is important to see this moment in time if this happened.
Harvesting and storage
Watermelons can be collected already after 95-100 days after they are planted. If you are going to store fruits for a long time - pick them during the first stage of maturity. You can cut the fruit with a knife or pruner. In this case, leave the tail at least 5 cm long.
Store watermelons on a thin bed of straw in a dark place. Place berries on shelves or in earthen trenches. If the fetus has any damage, it cannot be stored for a long time.
Watch the video below on how to grow, choose and store a square watermelon:
How much and where can you buy a square watermelon?
Square watermelons are used by people not only as a food product, but also as a table decoration. Buy such fruits in online stores (for example, Globus Gourmet) or search in supermarkets. Just keep in mind that the price of such a delicacy in Moscow can be 25-30 thousand rubles. a piece.
Reviews gardeners and consumers
Yuri, 49 years old, builder, Armavir. I tried to grow square watermelons - it didn't work out very well. Many of the containers I bought were deformed by the force of the berry growth, and the watermelons themselves cracked. The shape was still more round than square. Disappointed.
Victoria, 38 years old, manager, Dmitrov. I think that when growing such watermelons, you need to take the most rigid capacity. For example, glass flasks. In this case, there is a chance that they will withstand the growth of the fruit. I tried such a watermelon - in principle, the taste is interesting, but as for me, a little dry.
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Add your review
The secret of the appearance of square watermelons turned out to be quite simple. However, without observing the cultivation technology and proper care, an attempt to grow such a fruit on a home plot may not be entirely successful. Consider the climate of your region and be sure to choose a rigid container to create the shape.