A watermelon that impresses at first sight: an unusually elongated and narrow shape, light green rind with veins and red flesh in fruits that can reach 18 kg.
About the variety. 'Charleston Gray' is a semi-early variety with a very distinctive, narrow elliptical shape. Fruits weigh between 12 and 18 kg, with a light green rind and red flesh. The flowers are edible and attract pollinators.
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Itinerário técnico
Como cultivar watermelon charleston gray?
Um guia de cultivo passo a passo, da sementeira à colheita.
pH ideal 6.0 and 6.8
Sementeira
Normally started in trays and then transplanted to the final location about three weeks later, when the seedling has 2 to 3 true leaves. Transplanting should not be done too late, as this can cause severe transplant shock, leading to delayed growth, smaller fruit size and reduced yields. Transplanting should only be carried out when the soil temperature at a depth of 10 cm is at least 18°C and there is no longer any risk of frost. The crop is usually grown in rows, maintaining a spacing of 45 to 60 cm between plants and 1.8 m between rows.
Solo
The crop prefers light, deep, rich and well-drained soils, with a pH between 6.0 and 6.8.
Clima
This is a crop that thrives in high temperatures, both day and night. A south-facing exposure is beneficial, providing extra warmth.
Fertilização
Although it is not a particularly demanding crop, a base fertilisation with some compost is recommended.
Rega
Due to varying water requirements throughout the growing cycle, drip irrigation is recommended. Watering should be avoided during the week before full maturation, as it can seriously affect fruit quality. Drip irrigation has the added advantage of keeping foliage dry, which helps prevent the development of disease.
Controlo de Infestantes
Mulching with organic materials or plastic is a good option for this crop, preventing weed competition and avoiding contact between the fruits and the soil, which can lead to certain rots.
Controlo de Pragas
Mites, aphids, cutworms, leaf-miner larvae and thrips are pests that attack this crop. For mites, biological control with predatory mites can be used and, if necessary, azadirachtin or sulphur powder may be applied (if T <28°C). Aphids are controlled through moderate fertilisation without excess nitrogen, natural limitation with border hedgerows to support beneficial insects, biological control with parasitoid and predatory Hymenoptera, and, if necessary, potassium soap or azadirachtin may be used. For cutworms, control measures include avoiding the use of fresh manure, applying bait + bran + Bacillus thuringiensis on the soil around the crop, spraying with Bacillus thuringiensis, and biological control with Steinernema carpocapsae nematodes. For leaf-miner larvae, biological control with parasitoid Hymenoptera should be used, along with natural limitation through hedgerows and other nectar-rich plants that feed adult parasitoids; azadirachtin may also be used if necessary. Finally, thrips can be controlled by planting border strips of plants beneficial to anthocorid predators (such as marigolds and other composites) and through biological control with predatory mites and anthocorids.
Doenças
Powdery mildew and grey mould are two diseases affecting this crop. To control powdery mildew, wide plant spacing, moderate fertilisation without excess nitrogen, and, if necessary, application of wettable sulphur powder or sulphur powder mixed with lithothamne (1:1) as a dust treatment are recommended, as this is less phytotoxic than pure sulphur. For grey mould control, diseased plant debris should be removed, excessive vigour avoided, water on plants minimised, and bentonite clay applied regularly.
Colheita
They can be stored at 7°C with 85% relative humidity for two to three weeks.
