If the gardener asked the question: "How to grow watermelon in Siberia?" - then he must know some peculiarities of growing thermophilous varieties of plants in conditions that are not very suitable for their life.
In the central zone of Russia and in Siberia, the cultivation of various melons has long been not news. However, it is very rare to meet these plants in beds with ordinary gardeners. Typically, people grow varieties with small fruits and mediocre taste, such as Sugar Toddler, American watermelon selection, also known as Sugar Baby, Sibiryak and Ogonek, species bred by domestic breeders. It is believed that they give the best seeds of watermelon for growing it under unsuitable conditions. Usually, the cultivation of melons and gourds is perceived by gardeners as a form of eccentricity, and not a real opportunity to receive large and tasty fruits from the middle of summer to the end of autumn.
There is a significant difference between how to grow a watermelon in the suburbs, and how to do it in Siberia. The growth process begins in mid-April, the seeds are soaked for 20 minutes in a solution of manganese, after which they are placed in a growth stimulant or a mixture of microfertilizers. In it, future sprouts remain for a day. It is also necessary to ensure that the ambient temperature does not fall below 30 degrees. The secret of how to grow a watermelon in Siberia is the technology of hardening seeds. To do this, they are stored in variable temperatures for a week. Afternoon in the fridge, and at night in the room.
For germination of seedlings it is recommended to use small pots, up to 7 centimeters high and filled with fertile soil. There is a trick in how to grow a watermelon in Siberia, it consists in chipping the very top of the seed coat before planting. Thus, the "tail" of the embryo is bare, and it becomes much easier for the plant to give the first shoots. With the proper temperature regime, the results of this action can be seen in just a few days.
It is very important to get strong seedlings. One of the most crucial moments for this is the period of 4-5 days after the sprouting begins. After the appearance of cotyledonous leaves should be placed seedlings in a warm place and be sure to feed the young plant with a weak solution of potassium permanganate and trace elements.
Planting of seedlings should be performed immediately after the end of frosts, in the first week of June. For planting it is necessary to allocate a plot of land not less than 3 m wide. One of the features of how to grow a watermelon in Siberia is composting and humus in the calculation of 10 kg per 1 sq. M. The use of manure is not welcome.
For assured harvesting, the embankment should be covered with a non-woven material of black color. This will give your plant the necessary amount of heat for growth and fruit ripening.
After the beginning of flowering, which usually occurs at the end of June, it is necessary to pollinate the plants. It must be done manually, otherwise all efforts will be wasted. It is also necessary to begin tearing the whip after the beginning of the ovary and cut off the lateral shoots as they appear.
The first fruits can be obtained within a month after the ovaries.