The watermelon 'Legend of Siberia' is a variety created by crossing the 'Melitopol 143' and 'Extraordinary' varieties, followed by multi-year selection. This variety is characterized by its early maturity and large fruit size, making it particularly attractive for autumn cultivation. The fruits have an elongated spherical shape and weigh between 4.6 and 6.1 kg, ripening 75-85 days after seedling emergence. The watermelon flesh is tender, juicy, and grainy, with a rich raspberry color and a distinct watermelon aroma, ensuring a pleasant and rich taste.
The plant is robust, with a long main vine, which promotes good development and fruiting. For optimal growth, it is recommended to sow seedlings in early May, followed by transplanting into open ground at the end of May to early June when the seedlings have 3-4 true leaves. In southern regions, direct sowing into the ground in April-May is possible. When grown under film cover, plants should be trained to a single stem, removing side shoots and tying vines to a trellis. Timely watering, regular weeding, loosening, and fertilization with mineral fertilizers are necessary to ensure a high yield.
The variety has high resistance to diseases such as anthracnose and is tolerant to fusarium, enhancing its marketability and transportability. The shelf life of the fruits is also at a good level, allowing them to maintain quality during storage and transport. All these characteristics make the watermelon 'Legend of Siberia' an excellent choice for gardeners seeking tasty and large fruits with good agronomic indicators.
