Almaden F1 Watermelon — a medium-early hybrid of the Pi el de Sapo type, developed by the Dutch breeding company Enza Zaden. The vegetation period is 65-70 days from transplanting seedlings, allowing for harvest within relatively short timeframes. The plant is bushy, compact, and densely leafed, with strong stems and a robust root system, ensuring high stress resistance and adaptability to various agronomic conditions. The hybrid is resistant to fungal diseases and has high resistance to fruit cracking, significantly simplifying cultivation and enhancing crop quality.
Almaden F1 fruits have an elongated oval shape with smooth, dark green skin featuring a distinct netted pattern. Average fruit weight ranges from 2 to 4 kg, with individual specimens reaching 5-6 kg. The skin reliably protects the tender white flesh from damage during transport, while the small seed cavity facilitates easy consumption. The fruit flavor is distinctly sweet with honey notes, which remain stable during long-term storage and marketing. Due to its flavor profile, this watermelon is suitable for fresh consumption as well as processing into juices, smoothies, and dried products.
The hybrid demonstrates high productivity when grown in open ground and exhibits adaptability to soil type and agronomic practices. The plant responds well to drip irrigation and prefers abundant sunlight, forming fruit even at high temperatures. The compact bush structure allows for higher plant density per square meter, increasing yield per unit area. High individual plant yields reach 5-8 kg, making Almaden F1 an attractive choice for commercial cultivation and retail sales.
