Watermelons
in hydroponics
The watermelon is considered native to Africa, from where it
spread throughout the Mediterranean and was brought to America by Christopher
Columbus on one of his trips.
Watermelon is the favorite
summer fruit, as it is refreshing, because it is made up of 90% water.
Some experts refer to it as a
vegetable, while others consider it as a fruit.In reality the confusion occurs
because the watermelon is a cucurbit, it is related to the cucumber and the
pumpkins.
It is cultivated as a fruit vegetable
and is generally treated as a vegetable for culinary uses.
However,
it is considered a fruit because it develops from the plant's ovary after
flowering and contains seeds.
Thanks to
the hydroponics technique it is possible to cover the requirements of the
watermelon and optimize all the resources.
How to grow watermelons in hydroponics?
You need:
·
Watermelon seeds.
·
A grow bed or similar container.
·
A mixture of sandy loam substrate of 70% peat moss
and 30% agrolite.
·
Water.
·
Nutritious solution for flowers.
Process:
·
The first step is to locate a place to place the
cultivation bed, it must receive at least 12 hours of sunlight a day, since
watermelon needs warm climates for its correct growth, then the substrate must
be prepared for this, moisten it a little with water and place it inside the
container.
·
When the substrate is ready it is time to introduce
the seeds.
·
Put one plant per container, that is, put 1 to 4
seeds in the cultivation bed to ensure production success.
·
During its germination period and until flowering,
the plant must be watered constantly.
·
The seeds will begin to sprout in the first seven
or ten days, when they have reached a height of 10cm or have two pairs of true
leaves, it is time to put the nutritional solution at risk to stimulate the
growth of the fruits.
·
The harvest takes place after 40 or 45 days after
flowering, the point of maturity occurs when the petiole of the fruit is dry.
.Benefits:
Among
its main characteristics we can mention:
·
Prevents the
risk of cardiovascular diseases.
·
Reduces the
risk of eye diseases.
·
Rich in iron,
magnesium, potassium, phosphorus and calcium.
·
Relieves
muscle pain.
·
Helps to
combat fatigue.
·
It is
hydrating and laxative.
·
It has an
antioxidant effect.
·
It has a high
content of vitamins A and C.
·
It favors the
proper functioning of the kidneys.
~ Camila García - Gabriela Vesga
