Watermelons and melons in the greenhouse

11-04-2018
Tips and ideas

244-Watermelons and melons in the greenhouse
Watermelon and melon grown in their own backyard are the dream of many gardeners. As you know, these are heat-loving crops, and in a more severe climate they are best grown in greenhouses. With the right approach, this is not such a hard thing, but it will be possible to eat honey melons or juicy watermelon at the beginning of summer.

Proper greenhouse

Growing melons requires the creation of appropriate conditions for plants. They need reliable protection from damage by late frosts, carrying out feeding several times per season and the formation of plants to produce high-quality fruits. 

244-Watermelons and melons in the greenhouse

To ensure the proper development of watermelons and melons in the greenhouse, it is necessary that it meets certain requirements.

  • For the cultivation of melon greenhouses are not suitable - they are too low and small. A good option would be a high greenhouse. Under natural conditions, the shoots of plants are spreading on the ground, and in the greenhouse because of the limited area, they wind along trellis. Therefore, the higher the greenhouse, the better. The optimum height will be approximately 2 m and above.
  • In a greenhouse, watermelons and melons can coexist with other cultures, but this is not the best option. Southern plants tolerate drought, high temperature, but humidity in the greenhouse of 60% and more can cause fungal diseases of melons. Therefore, for their cultivation is better to allocate a separate greenhouse.
  • Melon or watermelon require a neutral soil pH of 6.8-7, fertile, not very greasy and well drained. The soil should be well heated.
  • Seeds and seedlings

    By choosing the right seeds, you can ensure a good harvest of greenhouse melons. When choosing seeds, it is imperative to give preference to varieties adapted for cultivation in a particular climate. You also need to pay attention to the ripening time: if the period from germination to ripening is short, the fruits will be tasty and juicy. With a long period of ripening, you can stay without a long-awaited harvest.

    The size of the fruits also play an important role. The best for growing in greenhouses will be varieties with small fruits, a giant watermelon and cantaloupe can grow only under natural conditions in the south.

    244-Watermelons and melons in the greenhouse

    To get a strong, healthy seedlings, seeds are sown in the second half of April. There are several rules that will ensure a good result:

    • for each plant it is better to immediately select a separate pot or cup, with a diameter of 8-10 cm;
    • in order to increase the germination of seeds, before sowing, they should be soaked for several hours in any immunostimulant or simply in warm water (25 degrees);
    • in order to provide seedlings with all the necessary nutrients, one part of simple earth is taken from three parts of humus, a glass of ash and a teaspoon of potassium sulfate;
    • seeds need to be immersed to a depth of 2-3 cm, and in order to germinate easier to germinate, they are placed on its side;
    • temperature is very important, the temperature should be maintained around 25 degrees before germination, and after germination it is reduced by 3-4 degrees;
    • before the emergence of shoots cups need to cover the film or glass.

    244-Watermelons and melons in the greenhouse

    Seedlings grow very quickly. About a month after germination, it can be planted in a greenhouse. But before that you should pay attention to young plants:

    • as the leaves grow, you need to move the cups with melons or watermelons away from each other, giving the plants more space;
    • daylight should be 13-14 hours, so you have to use lamps for additional illumination to prevent stretching and weakening sprouts;
    • need to feed plants with a solution of complex fertilizers, the procedure is carried out 10 days after germination, and then again after 10 days.

    244-Watermelons and melons in the greenhouse

    How to grow a watermelon in a greenhouse (video)

    Caring for melons in the greenhouse

    Plant watermelons and melons in the greenhouse can be already from mid-May, after the warm weather has settled, and the night temperature will not fall below +5 degrees.

    Before planting seedlings, you need to prepare the ground. In a greenhouse, they are digging a trench 20 cm deep, at the bottom of which hay and humus are laid. Then disperse the nitrogen fertilizer and pour over hot water. After that, the ground is filled up and the prepared area is covered for several days with black film for rapid heating of the ground.

    244-Watermelons and melons in the greenhouse

    Landing perform as follows:

    • the distance between the rows should be 70 cm, and between plants in the row - 50 cm;
    • two plants can be planted in one hole at a time, and then spread their shoots along a trellis in different directions;
    • the wells are filled with humus and poured with plenty of warm water;
    • seedlings have delicate roots, so the transshipment of cups or pots into the holes must be done very carefully so as not to damage them;
    • a lump of soil with seedlings should be slightly raised above the ground to avoid rotting of the subfamily knee.

    244-Watermelons and melons in the greenhouse

    The further cultivation of watermelons and melons is reduced to a few simple operations.

  • Ventilation. If the temperature in the greenhouse will exceed 30 degrees, you need to open the vents or slightly raise the film for ventilation.
  • Watering. If the leaves of plants begin to fall, then this is a signal to watering. At the same time, water should be avoided on foliage and excessive soil moisture, which can lead to the development of fungus.
  • Fertilization. During the period of active plant growth, nitrogen and ammonia fertilizers and ashes are applied during irrigation. When the fruits begin to ripen, stop feeding.
  • Pollination. How to grow watermelons in a closed greenhouse without bees? You just need to do the pollination yourself. To do this, tear off large male flowers, tear off petals and carry the remaining anthers along the stigmas of female flowers.
  • Pinching is performed after the appearance of 5 leaflets. When the resulting ovary reaches a diameter of 4-5 cm, on each lash choose the strongest, and the rest are cut off.
  • The garter of plants can be carried out already in 10 days after disembarkation in the greenhouse. Grown-up fruits for tying are placed in nets and tied with twine directly to the trellis.
  • By adhering to the rules described, you can grow a sweet watermelon or melon even in Siberia, having received a wonderful harvest.

    Watermelons and melons in the greenhouse (video)

    Gallery: watermelons and melons in the greenhouse (15 photos)

    244-Watermelons and melons in the greenhouse
    244-Watermelons and melons in the greenhouse
    244-Watermelons and melons in the greenhouse
    244-Watermelons and melons in the greenhouse
    244-Watermelons and melons in the greenhouse
    244-Watermelons and melons in the greenhouse
    244-Watermelons and melons in the greenhouse
    244-Watermelons and melons in the greenhouse
    244-Watermelons and melons in the greenhouse
    244-Watermelons and melons in the greenhouse
    244-Watermelons and melons in the greenhouse
    244-Watermelons and melons in the greenhouse
    244-Watermelons and melons in the greenhouse
    244-Watermelons and melons in the greenhouse
    244-Watermelons and melons in the greenhouse
    244-Watermelons and melons in the greenhouse
    244-Watermelons and melons in the greenhouse
    244-Watermelons and melons in the greenhouse
    244-Watermelons and melons in the greenhouse
    244-Watermelons and melons in the greenhouse
    244-Watermelons and melons in the greenhouse
    244-Watermelons and melons in the greenhouse
    244-Watermelons and melons in the greenhouse
    244-Watermelons and melons in the greenhouse
    244-Watermelons and melons in the greenhouse
    244-Watermelons and melons in the greenhouse
    244-Watermelons and melons in the greenhouse