Charleston Gray watermelon is a mid-season variety with an unusual oval or elongated cylindrical fruit shape and light green rind without distinct stripes. The rind is thick and dense, reaching up to 20-25 mm in thickness, which ensures excellent transportability and protection from solar overheating. Fruits grow large, weighing from 12 to 18 kg, with a length of 40-50 cm and a diameter of 30-35 cm, making them convenient for fresh market sales. The watermelon flesh is bright pink or red, juicy, crunchy, and uniform, with a high sugar content (about 10-11%), which gives it a pronounced sweet taste and aroma that is preserved for 2-3 months of storage. The plant is powerful, with long stems and dense foliage, developing well even with minimal agrotechnics. It prefers well-lit, warmed-up areas with sandy soils and without strong drafts. For optimal growth and improved taste qualities, regular root irrigation and application of organic and mineral fertilizers are recommended. The variety is resistant to fusarium and anthracnose, but requires preventive treatment against aphids and spider mites. Under irrigation conditions, yield can reach 100 tons per hectare, with 1-2 large fruits forming per bush. Charleston Gray is suitable for cultivation in various climatic conditions, including southern agrozones and cooler regions. In temperate zones, seedling planting is done at the end of May in warmed soil, with about 3.5 square meters recommended per plant to avoid overcrowding. Fruits ripen about 70-75 days after seedling planting or about 50 days after fruit set. The harvest is collected a few days before full ripening to preserve market qualities and extend the storage period. Thanks to its characteristics and transportability, Charleston Gray watermelon is an excellent choice for farmers and gardeners oriented towards market sales.
