SHUGA DELICATA is one of the earliest large-fruited watermelon hybrids, which matures in 60-70 days from full germination or 56-60 days from seedling planting to the first fruit harvest. The plant is compact with a main vine of medium length, which facilitates its cultivation both in open ground and in film greenhouses. The fruits have an oval-round shape, dark green color with green stripes, and a weight of 9 to 12 kg, making them large and attractive to consumers.
The watermelon flesh is bright red, juicy, and sufficiently dense, featuring an amazing sweet taste and rich aroma. The hybrid has high resistance to diseases such as fusarium (race 1) and anthracnose, which ensures a stable yield and reduces the need for frequent application of protective agents. The fruits are uniform in quality and maintain their superior taste and commercial characteristics for a month after harvest.
For successful cultivation, sowing for seedlings is recommended at the end of April, while seedling planting in the ground is conducted at the end of May — beginning of June, when the plants reach an age of 30-35 days. When growing plants, they are tied to a trellis to a height of 50 cm, all side shoots are removed, and the subsequent ones are pinched out over the 1-3 leaf, or they are grown flat. This approach promotes the formation of high-quality fruits and facilitates plant care.
