A classic watermelon that rarely disappoints — with striped green rind and deep red-pink flesh of intense flavour.
About the variety. Crimson Sweet is a benchmark variety: generous elliptical fruits weighing 5–10 kg, highly productive and with excellent market appeal. Its flowers are nectar-rich, benefiting pollinators in the garden.
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Itinerário técnico
Como cultivar watermelon crimson sweet?
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 lower 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 additional warmth.
Fertilização
Although not a particularly demanding crop, a base fertilization with some compost should be carried out.
Rega
Due to varying water requirements throughout the crop cycle, drip irrigation is recommended; watering should be avoided during the week before full maturity, as it can seriously affect fruit quality. Drip irrigation has the added advantage of keeping foliage dry, reducing the risk of disease development.
Controlo de Infestantes
Mulching with organic materials or plastic is a good option for the crop, preventing weed competition and avoiding contact between the fruits and the soil, which can lead to some rots.
Controlo de Pragas
Mites, aphids, cutworms, leafminer 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 encourage beneficial insects, biological control with parasitoid and predatory Hymenoptera, and potassium soap or azadirachtin may be used if necessary. For cutworms, control measures include avoiding fresh manure, using bait + bran + Bacillus thuringiensis on the soil near the crop, applying Bacillus thuringiensis as a spray, and biological control with Steinernema carpocapsae nematodes. For leafminer larvae, biological control with parasitoid Hymenoptera should be used, along with natural limitation through hedgerows and other nectar 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 dusting sulphur or sulphur powder combined with lithothamne (1:1) as a dust should be used, as this is less phytotoxic than pure sulphur. For grey mould control, diseased plant debris should be removed, excessive vigour avoided, water kept off the plants and bentonite clay applied regularly.
Colheita
They can be stored at 7°C with 85% relative humidity for two to three weeks.
