Description and characteristics of the main varieties of melon

About melon

Melon is an annual melon crop of the pumpkin family. The plant is distinguished by long, creeping shoots. Depending on the place of cultivation and the variety, 2-10 fruits weighing 1.5-10 kg each can form on one bush. The fruit is a spherical or oblong false berry of yellow, green, sometimes brown and even white color with a sweet aromatic pulp. The average ripening period is 2-4 months, but some late species can mature up to 6 months.

Melon is native to Central and Central Asia. It is here that for several centuries this melon culture has been traditionally bred, and in these countries it is not just a dessert, but a staple food. Some species of this culture come from the tropics of Africa, China and India. It is believed that the sweetest and most fragrant fruits grow in the countries of Central Asia: Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan.

The largest melons in this area are considered to be Uzbek - their weight can reach 25 kg. But this size is not a record. For example, the largest melon was once grown in the United States, and its weight exceeded 100 kg, but after that several similar records were set in the world.

The melon was brought to Europe in the middle of the last century, and began to be actively cultivated only at the beginning of the 16th century. Now this southern crop is grown all over the world, and thanks to the intensive work of breeders, new varieties of melon are constantly being developed.

In addition to Central Asia, melon is cultivated for industrial purposes in the south of Ukraine. Gradually, its cultivation is progressing to the northern regions of the Urals, Yakutia and even the Far East. In those regions where it is not possible to grow it in open ground conditions, greenhouses and hotbeds are used.

In accordance with geographical affiliation, cultivated (table) varieties are classified into three main subspecies: Central Asian, Asia Minor, European, as well as exotic varieties.

There are indeed many exotic and unusual varieties in the world. For example, in China and the countries of North Africa, snake melons are widespread, outwardly the same color as cucumbers, but much longer - 40–100 cm. Banana melon, which is simply called "banana", is no less exotic. There are also fruits with a bizarre shape, for example, a variety that has a very euphonious name "Dream of Sybarita", or very miniature melons called "mouse".

Melon is completely free of allergens - it can be given to young children. Certainly not for newborns, but babies from 8 months can be given it as a complementary food.

The sweet and juicy pulp is an excellent natural remedy for depression, it improves the functioning of all internal organs. You can use it not only fresh. A variety of desserts, salads, jams, marshmallows are prepared from it, baked and dried in the microwave.In any form, it is extremely healthy and tasty.

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Central Asian varieties

More than 160 types of melons are cultivated on the territory of the countries of Central Asia, which are known all over the world. The best and most delicious fruits are grown here, and the variety of their shapes, colors and tastes is simply amazing. Among them there are both early summer and late-ripening varieties that ripen in autumn - they are called winter ones, since they persist almost until spring.

The most popular Central Asian cultural representatives are:

• Kassaba. Winter variety, which is removed in late autumn while still green. Subsequent ripening of the crop takes place under sheds in a suspended form.
• Take a walk. This Turkmen variety is well known all over the world. It ripens by the end of summer, is well transported and stored throughout the winter. Fruits are ovoid, large (3–6 kg). The pulp is white, quite firm, but juicy and very sweet.
• Chogary (Bukhara). In Central Asia, this is the most demanded variety. Large (up to 6 kg) fruits are oval, with a pointed shape on one side, they have a dense skin. The pulp is white, very sweet.
• Ich-Kzyl, known throughout the world as Pineapple. A mid-season variety that ripens in Central Asia by the end of August. Fruits are oval, medium-sized (2-4 kg), yellow rind, covered with a patterned net. The pulp is white, very juicy with a characteristic aroma and flavor of pineapple.
• Ribbed. An early ripe Uzbek hybrid with a characteristic ribbed surface. At home, it ripens in the middle of summer, and in the conditions of the Central zone of Russia by the end of August. The fruits look like pumpkin, the peel is yellow, rough, the pulp is very tender, sweet and aromatic.
• Torpedo. The most popular Uzbek variety in Central Asia and world famous. The fruits are large, elongated, slightly pointed at the edges. The peel is light yellow, rough, covered with a net. The pulp is white, juicy, buttery. Well transported, stored for a long time.

European varieties

In Europe, about 80 varieties are grown, specially zoned for temperate as well as northern climates. They are distinguished by their small size (up to 2–2.5 kg), round shape, and rather sweet taste. These are mainly summer early-maturing or medium-ripening species.

The fruits of European hybrids are poorly transported, quickly deteriorate, so they are immediately eaten. A variety of dishes are prepared from them, baked, sometimes dried. It should be said that such fruits are very convenient to cook in the microwave, since juice practically does not flow out of them.

In Europe, the following melon varieties are considered the most popular:

• Melon Gold of the Scythians. Mid-season (70–80 days) hybrid with small (1.5–2 kg) round fruits. The rind is golden yellow, almost orange, slightly rough. The pulp is white, very juicy, slightly oily. The variety is highly resistant to diseases, frost-resistant.
• The dream of sybarite or in another way the Dream of a lazy person. A very early variety, reaching technical ripeness in 50-55 days. The dream of sybarite is distinguished by small (300-500 g) fruits of an original elongated shape and a green striped skin. Melon flesh Sybarite Dream is white, very juicy and crunchy, with a specific honey aroma and taste. The dream of sybarite is considered a high-yielding variety - 15–20 fruits ripen on the bush per season.
• Melon Slavia. A hybrid of a medium late (90–110 days) ripening period. Fruits are medium-sized (1.5–4 kg), spherical, yellow-green peel, almost brown, covered with a coarse patterned mesh. The pulp is white, thick and firm, quite juicy, sweet and aromatic. The variety is high-yielding, resistant to drought, cold and disease, well transported.
• Melon Dune. A relatively new variety with an early ripening period (55–70 days). Fruits are oval, yellow peel is covered with a continuous net. Fruit weight 2-3.5 kg. The pulp is creamy, tender, very juicy with a pronounced aroma.
• Melon Dubovka.Mid-season variety with small (0.8–2 kg) oblong fruits. The peel is thin, golden-greenish, partially covered with a net. The pulp is creamy, firm, slightly crunchy, very sweet and aromatic. The variety is resistant to bacteriosis and drought.
• Titovka. Early (60–70 days) variety with round, small (1.5–2 kg) fruits. The peel is yellow, smooth, partially covered with a mesh. The pulp is white, fibrous, juicy, sweet in taste. Titovka is often grown in the fields on an industrial scale, because it is well adapted to cold and disease.
• Melon Raymond. An excellent early ripening hybrid of the pineapple type. The fruits are large in size (6-10 kg), outwardly similar to the well-known torpedo. The rind is thin, yellow, completely covered with a net. The pulp is creamy, very sweet (13% sugar), incredibly juicy, with a characteristic honey aroma.
• Melon Roksolana F1. Early ripe (65–70 days) hybrid with round, sometimes elongated fruits weighing up to 2.5 kg. The thin golden skin is covered with a small mesh. The pulp is creamy, very tender, slightly oily, sweet.
• Melon Sweet miracle. Very high-yielding mid-season (80–95 days) hybrid. The fruits are round, medium-sized (up to 3 kg), the peel is yellow, reticulate. Melon Sweet Miracle has an incredible taste - its light creamy pulp is very sweet, with a pronounced honey tint. The variety is resistant to cold, fungal diseases, well transported.
• Delano. An early ripe (53–55 days) hybrid belonging to the pineapple type. The weight of Delano variety reaches 3-4 kg. Fruits are elongated, with a reticulated skin of intense yellow color. Delano's hybrid has an unsurpassed honey-pineapple aroma. The flesh is very sweet, orange in color, almost red.
• Kalmyk. An early variety, often cultivated in the fields. The fruits are characterized by a rough, slightly ribbed skin. The pulp is juicy, sweet and very fleshy. The culture is unpretentious, with proper care it gives high yields, is well transported
• Dakar. An early ripe hybrid of a pineapple type, bred relatively recently. Fruits are oval, weighing 3-5 kg. The peel is bright yellow, covered with a net. Dakar pulp is sweet, buttery, with a characteristic pineapple flavor and aroma.

The best early-maturing varieties for the relatively stable European climate have now been listed.

Exotic melons

There are many exotic and unusual varieties in the world. All of them are predominantly early, as they grow in southern or tropical climates. We will talk about the most popular of them further.

Banana variety

The description of the Banana variety is somewhat similar to the fruit of the same name. Banana melon is just as long, only its peel is light green. The Banana hybrid (banana melon) was developed in the United States and has been cultivated there since 1885. The Banana variety is late - the banana melon ripens in 90 days.

In the West, the Banana hybrid is very popular. In good conditions, the Banana variety grows to a decent size: 35–80 cm in length and 8–15 cm in diameter. Banana melon tastes a bit like fruit - the flesh of the Banana variety is just as soft, tender and oily. In addition, banana melon has a characteristic aroma reminiscent of a real banana.

However, there is one significant difference - in terms of the color of the pulp, the Banana variety does not at all look like a fruit. Inside, a banana melon is golden, almost red, with a greenish edge under the skin. Banana melon is considered the most unusual not only in its homeland, but throughout the world.

Vietnamese striped melon

It is a miniature fruit of a yellow-brown color, the creamy flesh of which has a delicious pineapple flavor.

Mexican gherkin (mouse melon)

A miniature hybrid with a green striped skin that looks like a tiny watermelon. The flesh of these fruits is also green and slightly watery with a sour taste.

Of course, these are not all exotic names. Seeds of a wide variety of exotic hybrids are now available in gardening stores.But it must be remembered that they can only be grown in a greenhouse.

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