Origin and distribution of melons
Basically the origin is all Types of melons according to botanists to look somewhere on the African continent. As one Original form of the watermelon Today the so-called tsamma melon is commonly used, some representatives of which can still be found today as wild plants in various areas of Africa. Given that the fruits of these plants have a relatively bitter pulp and many large ones Seed kernels is the reason for the widespread distribution of melons around the world today. After all, in earlier centuries the fruit was used by seafarers as a conditionally durable provisions, since the seeds could be eaten roasted or flour could be made from them. After an early spread in Egypt, Persia and Asia Minor, melons also ended up in the following countries:
- North America
- Middle and South America
- East asia
also read
- Growing the Charentais melon in your own garden
- The melon - when is it in season here?
- Growing melon only in the greenhouse?
Basic requirements for planting and caring for melons
When growing melons in your own garden or in Glasshouse should be based on the heat and fluid requirements of the plants be respected. As many melon species live in tropical and subtropical temperatures southern countries are grown, you should pay attention to a location that is as sunny as possible and sheltered from the wind. In addition, the soil should not be too calcareous and as permeable as possible, so that there is no formation of waterlogging on the sensitive roots.
Growing melons in the house
Actually all types of melons should be preferred for cultivation in Central Europe on the windowsill or in a greenhouse, so that the short ones Summer season best possible for the care of plants to harvest fully ripe fruits can be used. To do this, you just put two to three Seed kernels in a small saucepan. You can save yourself a lot of trouble with dead young plants if you sow the seeds straight away in rotting pots. This saves the sensitive roots from having to prick out a critical point in their development. Planting out should only be done from around mid-May, as young melon plants are very sensitive to night frosts. In full sunny weather, it is also advisable to first accustom the plants grown indoors to the blazing sunlight for hours.
Different types of melons at a glance
A basic distinction is made between watermelons and sugar melons. Since some types of melon like the Charentais melon only produce fruits the size of a fist, these are sometimes also suitable for cultivation on the balcony.
The watermelon and its peculiarities
Among the various melon varieties, the watermelon is one of the melons that are particularly common in this country in the open air pot or in Glasshouse be cultivated. While the large Crimson Sweet variety, with its fruits weighing up to 15 kilograms, is ideal for planting on sunny Suitable for slopes, the smaller and aromatic sweet Dugar Baby can also be grown well on the balcony or in the greenhouse will.
All about the honeydew melon
The honeydew melon is sometimes referred to as "Yellow Canary" because of one of its main growing areas and its bright, strong color. Fully ripe fruits give off a slightly sweet fragrance, which should not be too intrusive, otherwise it is an overripe specimen. The honeydew melon is used in the Canaries as well as in the following Countries of origin cultivated:
- Iran
- China
- Brazil
Like all melon varieties, the fruits are limited storable and are often served with ham as an appetizer.
More sugar melons and their properties
The sugar melons are basically divided into three groups, whereby the group of winter melons is characterized by the fact that their fruits do not ripen after the harvest. The winter melons include melon varieties such as the Yellow Canary, Tendral and Piel de Sapo. Net melons, on the other hand, still ripen a little after harvest and are characterized by an aromatic scent. The net melons include melon varieties such as Honey Dew or the extremely popular Galia melon. The third subdivision of sugar melons are the so-called cantaloupe melons, which include In addition to the well-known Charentais cultivar from southern France, there are also plants and fruits of the subspecies Ogen. When cut, all sugar melons can usually be kept in the refrigerator for about three to seven days. However, because of their smaller size, sugar melons are usually easier to consume than watermelons.
Tips & Tricks
In principle, young plants can also be grown from the seeds of most commercially available melon varieties on the windowsill or in your own garden. However, these seeds must first be cleaned of any pulp so that they do not go moldy before or during the germination phase.
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