The watermelon Karistan F1 is an early hybrid of the Crimson Sweet type, developed by the Dutch seed company Syngenta Seeds. The vegetative period is approximately 62-67 days from seedling transplanting, allowing for a quick harvest. The plant is strong, with good growth energy, dense foliage, and long stems, capable of forming fruit even under unfavorable growing conditions. The hybrid is highly adaptable to care and agronomic practices, developing more vigorously under stable warm and sunny weather, especially when moderate drip irrigation and root fertilization are applied. The watermelon fruits of Karistan F1 have a round-oval shape with dark green skin and broad stripes. The average fruit weight ranges from 9 to 12 kg, with a dense and thick rind up to 12 mm, providing good protection and long-term storage. The flesh is bright red, juicy, uniform, fiber- and vein-free, with high sugar content (10-11%) and vitamins, giving the watermelon outstanding taste and organoleptic qualities. Fruits easily detach from the stem, ripening in concentrated batches and maintaining their marketability and flavor for a long time. The Karistan F1 hybrid is resistant to diseases such as anthracnose and fusarium, and also exhibits increased resistance to sunscald. The recommended planting density is 6-8 thousand plants per hectare, ensuring high yields — 70-80 tons per hectare. The watermelon is suitable for cultivation both in open ground and under temporary covers, ideal for fresh market sales during the main season, long-term storage, and processing, including pickling. Thanks to its good transportability and stable quality, Karistan F1 is a profitable choice for farmers and producers.
