At present, urban realities are moving closer to rural ones, and many cultures are well grown on the windowsill. Tomatoes, cucumbers and peppers are traditional plants grown in the apartment. Even watermelons, which are considered exotic for such cultivation, can also be successfully grown at home.

Important! The botanical classification implies, under the definition of “berry,” a fruit that has a shell and a large number of seeds. Watermelon, like all its "colleagues" in the pumpkin family, fully meets these conditions and is considered a berry.

Botanical description of watermelon

The first description of a watermelon was given by the Swedish botanist Karl Turnberg at the end of the 18th century. This plant has been classified as a pumpkin family. The fruit is a large berry of spherical or cylindrical shape with flattening to the edges. The peel can be different shades of green, and the flesh is either classic red, or with inclusions of yellow. In nature, the culture grows on the ground, forming fruits on the surface of the soil, at home, the tops can grow up. The principles of cultivation in the field and on the windowsill do not change, it is important to properly direct the growth and help the plant with the design and cultivation of the fruit.

Rating of the best varieties for planting

It is clear that not every variety is suitable for growing in an apartment - the enormous size of the fruits can become an obstacle to caring for the crop on the windowsill. For home cultivation, hybrid species are used, which are unpretentious and can develop normally in cramped conditions.

Here is a list of some varieties suitable for home growing:

As the names show, these watermelons are bred in the Middle Strip, Siberia and the north of the Caucasus. All these plants are capable of producing a good crop of seeds in a short time frame.

Step-by-step home landing steps

The conditions for growing watermelons in the steppe and on the windowsill are very different. If in the vast expanses everything is done very simply - he sowed the material and that's it, then indoor cultivation will require serious care for such unusual “residents” on the windowsill.

Did you know? Watermelon can be fully used in food - its peel is edible, and the seeds after frying are used as ordinary seeds.

Preparation of soil and tanks for planting

Soil preparation is the most important procedure when planting any plant - its health, appearance, and, in the case of fruit crops, also will depend on this. For watermelon, a loose, fertile substrate with a neutral reaction is most suitable. The soil for growing in a pot must be prepared from the following components in equal proportions:

• turf land;
• sand;
• humus.

It is useful to add one tenth of the crushed ash from burnt wood. After which the soil is steamed for about 2 hours in a water bath or spilled with boiling water. Seeds are planted in plastic, peat cups or in containers for seedlings. A large or medium pot is used as a container for an adult seedling.

Preparing and planting seeds

Before planting, the seed material is disinfected - it is soaked for about 15 minutes in a weak warm solution of potassium permanganate. After this, the seeds are placed for 1-2 days in a damp cloth or paper. As soon as the seeds hatch, they need to be planted 2 pieces in a cup or other suitable container. Watermelon seeds can be encouraged by stratification - keeping them in a damp cloth for 12 hours in a refrigerator and at room temperature.

Important! If the batteries are not warm enough or are completely turned off, you need to help the inhabitants of the windowsill (this applies not only to watermelon) with additional heating. Directional infrared heat sources have proven themselves well.

This hardens the seed and encourages it to grow faster. It is necessary to plant to a depth of 2-3 cm, the bone should be turned with the sprouted end up. The soil is slightly moistened and containers are set aside in a warm place with diffused light. Where seedlings germinate, there should be no drafts or sudden changes in air temperature.

Features of home care

Watermelons on the windowsill are not only exotic, but also very demanding. You can get fruits of significant size only with quality care for the plant.

Plant placement

A large pot for watermelon grown from seeds can be fatal - a large amount of unused land is compacted and soured, so until the third real leaf appears in the seedling, it will be much more comfortable in a glass on a warm southeast or south windowsill. As mentioned above, with home growing watermelon does not tolerate drafts. A dull window and a warm window sill perfectly suit this culture.

Lighting

Illumination should be moderate, as the bright sun can burn delicate foliage. Excessive dimming also does not like the bush and can slow its growth. It is best to muffle bright light with curtains or even an agricultural grid. Before strengthening and growing plants, it must be protected from the sun.

Temperature mode

Heat-loving watermelon even in winter requires almost summer heat in the apartment. Even in the absence of central heating, the plant should receive its +20 ... + 25 ° С from the surrounding air. Otherwise, it will stop growing, cancel flowering and will wait for better times in a state of hibernation.

Did you know? With a watermelon, you can quench your thirst much better than with a glass of water. The fruits contain a complex of vitamins and minerals that help against dehydration even with the most intense workouts.

Watering

Watering a watermelon in the field is not necessary - this berry finds its moisture and is poured under the scorching rays of the sun. At home, the fruits grow much more restrained, so they need some kind of watering regime. Like any domestic plant, this culture does not respond well to excessive watering, so before the procedure it is necessary to check the soil moisture under the top layer. If the soil has already dried up at a depth of 1-2 cm, you need to water the plant under the stem with a small amount of settled warm water.

Plant fertilizer

There are no special fertilizers for indoor melons, as these are rather rare plants for home conditions. A farm top dressing at home will not work due to toxicity. In this situation, liquid fertilizers for vegetables will help. You need to make them every 2 weeks in the proportion: 1 tsp. on 1 liter of water. Such a recharge should be applied immediately after preparation and count on one feeding.

Disease and Pest Prevention

Indoor watermelon grown from seeds is not susceptible to diseases and pest attacks. It is possible to rot the roots from excessive irrigation or damage by a pest typical of garden crops (such as aphids). In any case, the domestic plant is always in sight and a problem can be identified on time.Sometimes you need to wash the leaves with a mild soapy solution - this will help both in the prevention of diseases and in washing away city dust from them. Watermelon on the windowsill is more decoration, since it is difficult to get a full-fledged fruit at home. Although the corner of sunny summer in the apartment during the cold season will not hurt: a bright berry will improve your mood and provide uncomplicated chores for long winter evenings.