Many gardeners strive to find favorable days for planting melon seedlings to grow them in their own plots. Not every region is suitable for this type of planting. Therefore, it is necessary to properly prepare, taking into account the nuances, subtleties, and recommendations of experienced breeders.
Advantages of the seedling method
Melon planting time indoors is earlier than in open ground. Melon seedlings help extend the plant's growing season by 40 days. This allows for an earlier and more abundant harvest. If you sow the seeds before the snow melts and plant them in the field after the weather warms up, you can harvest the fruit 1.5 months earlier. There are many other advantages, too.
- During the first phase of growth, the plant may suffer from insect attacks. Growing in a nursery helps protect the seedlings and allow them to gain strength.
- In a box, grains are placed close together. This reduces moisture evaporation and prolongs irrigation periods. In the field, the opposite effect occurs, increasing the risk of death from lack of water.
To grow melons from seed for seedlings and ensure a good harvest in the future, you need to carefully follow the care instructions. Otherwise, the seedlings will die before they can be planted outdoors. Sowing seeds for seedlings can be done using regional varieties adapted to specific climate zones.
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Moscow region:
- Cinderella. A popular variety, its fruits weigh over 1 kg and have a pleasant aroma and sweet taste. They take 3 months to ripen.
- Yukar melons have a pleasant aroma and sweet taste, weighing 1.5-2 kg. Can be ripened outdoors.
- Caramel. The fruits have a high sugar content, which is why the variety is called "caramel." Melons can weigh up to 2 kg. The plant tolerates stress very well.
In the Urals, mid-season and early-season varieties are planted. Seedlings and greenhouses are used for cultivation. Open-ground planting is also acceptable. Suitable varieties:
- A sybarite's dream. This melon grows up to 400 g and is ready for consumption 60 days after planting.
- Nectarine. A sought-after variety, prized for its fruit weighing up to 3 kg. Its elongated shape and light beige flesh.
- Delano is an early-ripening hybrid. Melons grow up to 4 kg. To achieve this, careful adherence to growing recommendations is essential. Ripening occurs after 3 months.
Siberia is cold and the summers are short. Only greenhouse conditions are suitable for melons. It's best to choose regionally grown varieties:
- Early 133. Fruits grow up to 2 kg. Ripening period is 2 months.
- Barnaulka. Lyubushka. High-yielding, ultra-early ripening varieties. Melons – 2 kg. Ripening occurs after 1.5 months.
The most popular options are presented here. They have been specially selected for each region. It's best to purchase seed from specialized stores. They can provide high-quality products with a reasonable shelf life from trusted manufacturers.
Favorable days according to the moon and regions
Planting melon seedlings in 2020 according to the lunar calendar means choosing the best dates for successful planting. In addition to the lunar phases, consider the variety, its maturity time, and the growing region.
Lunar calendar table.
| Month | Favorable days | Unfavorable days |
|
March |
3-14, 21-27, 30 | 1, 2, 15-20, 28, 29 |
|
April |
4-7, 10-14, 17-20, 22-26 | 1-3, 8, 9, 15, 16, 21, 27-30 |
|
May |
2–5, 14–17, 23–26, 30 | 6-13, 18-22, 27-29 |
|
June |
1-4, 7-9, 12-16, 26-29 | 5.6, 10-13, 17-25 |
Based on this data, we can conclude that planting days vary from month to month. The prevailing climate in the area must be taken into account. When planting melon seedlings, pay attention to the phases of the moon and the region's climate zone.
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Siberia and the Urals
The Siberian and Ural regions are dominated by harsh climates. This forces the sowing of grain to be delayed. Regionalized varieties capable of withstanding low temperatures, frosts, and other factors are used for planting.
| Type of sowing | April | Maya | June |
|
In pots for seedlings |
4-7, 10-14, 17-20, 22-26 | 2–5, 14–17, 23–26, 30 | — |
|
Into open ground |
— | — | 1-4, 7-9, 12-16, 26-29 |
It is worth remembering that grown seedlings are transferred to the beds only after the hardening procedure.
Central Russia and the Moscow region
The temperate zone includes the Moscow region, the Volga region, and beyond. Seeds can be sown in the ground only on days when there is no longer any risk of frost. Consistently warm weather sets in after the 15th month. Accordingly, seedlings should be sown 1-1.5 months before this point.
| Type of sowing | March | April | June |
|
Seedling |
3-14, 21-27, 30 | 4-7, 10-14, 17-20, 22-26 | — |
|
Open ground |
— | — | 1-4, 7-9, 12-16, 26-29 |
If there is cold weather in June, the sowing dates are shifted.
Helpful tips for growing
Melons prefer plenty of light and warmth. Careful care is essential for good germination. It's important for gardeners to create the most favorable conditions possible for the fruit to grow and develop vigorously. Seedlings can be planted 21-25 days after the first shoots emerge. Sprouts begin to appear within 5-10 days.
The crop is frost-intolerant. Planting is only possible when the soil is well warmed and the air temperature has reached +15°C. OS. Only high-quality seeds are used for planting. They must be 2-3 years old.
Recommendations:
- Hybrid varieties that have undergone preparation for sowing germinate and grow better. They are treated with fungicides under industrial conditions. This increases resistance to diseases and pests, and helps them adapt to a new environment.
- Prepare special soil. It should be designed for pumpkin plants.
- When preparing the substrate yourself, use river sand with peat. This can be sand and peat in a 10:9 ratio, or sand and wood ash in a 1 kg/200 g ratio.
- Melons don't tolerate transplant stress. They should be planted in peat pots rather than plastic containers. This way, you can transplant the seedlings into the garden bed without disturbing the root ball.
- Plant 1-2 seeds per pot. Moisten the soil beforehand, planting them 2 cm deep. Cover the seedlings with plastic wrap. This will create a greenhouse effect.
Young seedlings are moved to a location with good lighting and warm air. Water the seedlings every other day for 14 days. Use a sprinkling method. Hang an LED lamp to ensure at least 12 hours of daylight. Fertilize the seedlings for the first time when 2-3 true leaves appear. Use a ready-made or homemade biofertilizer. Avoid contact with the tops of the plants, as this will cause burns. Each seedling is regularly and thoroughly inspected. If a crust forms near the stem, remove it immediately. Otherwise, the seedlings will become diseased and die.
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When the plants reach 20 days of age, they are hardened off. This will gradually prepare them for planting outdoors. This procedure eliminates severe stress from changes in environment and climate conditions. Hardening off should be gradual. The seedlings are taken outside in warm, sunny weather for 5-10 minutes. Gradually, the period of exposure increases.
Shade the plants for 2-3 days. The stems will be weakened and unable to withstand the scorching sun. Spunbond is used as a shade cloth.
Possible problems
Planting a melon is easy, but growing it and getting juicy, ripe, and large fruits is not. Don't forget to remove weeds and treat for pests. Use products specifically designed for melons, and it's important to follow the manufacturer's recommendations. Failure to do so will result in spoilage of the entire crop.
The following errors are common:
- Stretching seedlings. If the seedlings start to stretch toward the windows, they're not getting enough light. There are other possible causes, too. The weather is too cloudy, or the room temperature is too high. To solve this problem, try adding supplemental light with a phytolamp, adding soil to the pots, or lowering the air temperature to 18°C. OC, regularly turning the cups for uniform growth.
- Blackleg appears. The disease develops when seedlings are planted too close together, with poor ventilation and sudden temperature fluctuations, coupled with high humidity. To eliminate the problem, simply remove the dead seedling and water the soil with a potassium permanganate solution. If the plant is kept in a single container, transplant it immediately. Change the soil and watering schedule. You can add Baktofit, Maxim, or Fitosporin to the irrigation water. The room where the cups are kept should be regularly ventilated.
- White mold. White mold spores can even colonize the surface of sterile soil. If the seedlings are mature and have undergone proper hardening, they can fight off the mold. It can be dangerous for young seedlings, especially if there's a lack of ultraviolet light.
In the latter case, to protect the sprouts, mulch them with a mixture of crushed coal and ash in a 1:5 ratio, repeating the process after two weeks. A good mulch is a mixture called Ermak sorbent, repeating it after three weeks.
Seedlings require regular ventilation. Simple rules will help them grow without disease or negative consequences.
Compatibility of melons when planting with other plants
The planting dates for this crop are indicated in the lunar calendar. Crop compatibility is also important. Planting melons near watermelons is strictly prohibited. This will lead to cross-pollination. Corn, radishes, spinach, and other greens can be planted near melon varieties. If seed collection is not necessary, melons and watermelons can be planted in the same field. Avoid growing this fruit near trees and shrubs, as the vines require a lot of light. Avoid placing it near:
- potatoes;
- cucumber beds;
- parsley.
When choosing a location for melon planting, consider crop rotation. Proper seedling placement will ensure an excellent quality harvest. It's important to study the species grown in the previous season. Excellent predecessors include:
- radish;
- cabbage;
- beans;
- beets;
- turnips;
- onions.
Among the unfavorable cultures are:
- representatives of the pumpkin family, including melon;
- nightshade.
Next, the soil is loosened and disinfected. The ground is sprayed with a manganese solution.
It's possible and even necessary to plant melon seedlings from seeds. It's best to plant mature seedlings, which are resistant to pests and pathogens. Even in the northern regions of the country, you can grow a delicious melon. All you need to do is prepare a greenhouse and provide this southern beauty with proper care.