Today, a large number of melons are known, including this variety. It perfectly transfers a cool and wet summer season of Europe. The second name of Cantaloupe is musk melon. Externally, the plant differs in oval or slightly flattened forms, the fruits are colored yellowish or orange, the foliage is dark green. On the cut stands out a lot of juice and pulp.
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What is cantaloupe?
The plant belongs to the family of pumpkin.Bushes are powerful, with large foliage. The mass of fruits reaches one and a half kilogram. The melon is covered with striped, somewhat relief peel.
The variety is widely known in Western Europe, America. Candied fruit of excellent quality is made from its fruit, and tasty jam is made. In addition, Cantaloupe is enriched with carotene, which increases its value. It is used in the preparation of some dishes, because the berry has a strong aroma and a pleasant aftertaste. From here and the second name of a melon - musky.
Cantaloupe refers to mid-season, for long storage is not recommended, but has a good transportability.
Cantalupa came to the territory of Russia from Italy.
The advantages and disadvantages of cantaloupe
First we need to remind you that this berry It is considered the ancestor of almost all varieties grown in Europe, and one of close relatives of Central Asian crops.
Among the positive qualities are the following:
- the coarseness of the retina on the peel does not allow the fruit to crack due to excess moisture;
- the culture easily tolerates a humid and not very warm summer;
- in comparison with Asian varieties, Cantalupa matures two to three times faster;
- the plant is excellent against powdery mildew, a disease common to all melon crops in the rainy season;
- different excellent taste.
Among the shortcomings can be noted this - short storage. For this reason, the melon is recommended to be eaten for three weeks after harvest.. With longer storage the fruits lose their attractiveness.
The chemical composition of the fetus
It is valued not only for its taste, but also for its beneficial properties. According to certain indicators for Cantaloupe, there is no equal among other fruits. Most of all it contains:
- ascorbic acid;
- carotene;
- inosine;
- fiber;
- silicon.
For example, it contains the most carotene, a lot of sucrose. In terms of sugar, cantaloupe exceeds watermelon.
The presence of iron in cantaloupe is almost twice as high as chicken meat and seventeen times as milk. The presence of vitamin C is also distinguished, its amount is ahead of the watermelon three times.
Musk melon is recommended for people suffering from obesity, cholesterol, hair loss. The presence of Inosine in the product does not allow such diseases to progress.
The potassium present in the berry stabilizes the pressure, so that the fruit can be eaten by hypertensive patients. Low calorie fetus allows you to include it in the diet.
Melon skin is used in the preparation of nutritious masks for the skin of the face.
The best varieties of cantaloupe
Breeding work on the breeding of new varieties continues quite successfully. Among the most promising are the following:
Iroquois
Another variety bred from an East American plant. Powerful plant has long scourge and large leaves of a dark green shade. The term of aging is average. Fruits have a rough mesh on the skin, oval-shaped, their weight reaches 1.7 kg. Longevity is normal, the harvest should be removed in a timely manner so that the melons do not over-ripen. It has good disease resistance;
Blondy
One of the new varieties with average aging times. The plant is perfectly accustomed to new features of the climate, indicators of soil composition, moisture level. Fruits are small, flattened or oval. Their weight does not exceed six grams. The variety has good resistance to root rot;
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- Hybrid Iroquois
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- Variety cantaloupe Blondi
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- Gallium variety
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- Hybrid Charente
Charente
Known around the world. Fruits differ in small weight - from six hundred grams to one kilogram. Its performance Charente is similar to other melons, but the main feature is a strong and persistent aroma and savory flavor. It is grown only in France, in protected ground conditions. More often it is used as an additional ingredient;
Gaul
The result of the work of Israeli breeding specialists. Externally, the variety resembles Cantalup. It does not impose any special requirements on the growth conditions; it tolerates equally well an elevated level of humidity and a dry period, and is resistant to cold. Mid-season variety with pistachio pulp. The fruits are not very large.The main value lies in a good immune system and the ability to adapt to different climate conditions;
Oksana
Another hybrid. Known for bright yellow flesh, excellent juiciness with characteristic sourness. The term of full maturation is from two to one and a half months.
Features of growing
For planting melons, experts recommend picking up areas that are separate from other crops. They should be well lit and warm by sunlight, not exposed to cold winds. It is best to stop the selection on the southern slopes.
Planting seeds and care for the first shoots
Melons are planted in two ways - in the ground or rassadnym method. The second option is most often used in areas with a cold climate. The soil before planting should warm up to eighteen degrees of heat. The soil should be light, well pass water and air. In the autumn season, it is recommended to add organic matter to the bed at the rate of five kilograms per square meter.
After sowing or planting seedlings, it is recommended to cover the beds with plastic wrap to create protection against insects. But before flowering, it must be removed.Watering should be plentiful, especially in hot weather.
Weed vegetation should be carefully removed until the melon forms creeping stems. But you should be careful. Sprouts strongly resemble clover, they can be easily confused. As soon as the bush gets stronger, he will begin to survive the weeds.
Pinch, feed and bush formation
To make the plant more branchy, it is necessary to pinch it. This will help the bush to form side branches. It is necessary to feed during active growth using nitrogen compounds. At the end of flowering and the appearance of melons in the ovary, phosphate and potash fertilizers are used.
To stems do not curl on the ground, they can be tied up. Experienced gardeners use low grids, but for the resultant fruits they will have to think about support.
Cantaloupe use
In addition to the usual use of all fresh food, cantaloupe made excellent candied fruits and jam. It is caused by a small shelf life.They are made from berries and dried fruits, but this process is rather complicated and long.
Although culture is distinguished by medium-sized but very tasty fruits, it is still popular not only for industrial cultivation, but also for household plots. It is considered the only species successfully cultivated in Russia.