AFRICANE

The "African" watermelon variety is a mid-season, large-fruited variety with a ripening period of 78 to 83 days. The plant is powerful, with a large vegetative mass and a trailing structure; the main tendril is long. The fruits have a cylindrical or elongated oval shape, dark green in color without stripes, and reach a mass of 7-10 kg. The rind is of medium thickness, while the flesh is pink, medium-density, juicy, aromatic, and sugary, making the watermelon especially tasty and attractive to consumers. The seeds are small, brown, with a pattern of dots.

The "African" variety is distinguished by good transportability and the ability to maintain marketable qualities for up to 30-45 days after harvest, which allows for effective sales over long distances. The plant is suitable for cultivation under film coverings, in greenhouses, and in open ground, primarily in southern regions. For planting, it is recommended to use seedlings, sowing which is carried out at the end of April or beginning of May, and transplanting to open ground at the end of May or beginning of June when 3-4 true leaves are present. It is also possible to grow directly by sowing in the ground in April-May.

For successful cultivation of the "African" watermelon, it is necessary to ensure timely watering, especially during fruit ripening, regular weeding, and fertilization with mineral fertilizers. When growing under film coverings, plants are formed into a single stem, removing side shoots up to a height of 50 cm and pinching subsequent ones above the 1-3 leaf, as well as tying them to a trellis. The planting scheme varies from 70x150 cm to 100x100 cm depending on growing conditions. The yield of the variety reaches 7 kg per square meter, making it attractive for commercial production.