How much does a mini watermelon cost per jin? A detailed guide to taste and growing methods
Nature is truly full of wonders. It is reported that this mini small watermelon is called “Pepquino”, also known as mouse melon or Mexican sour cucumber. It originates from Mexico and Central America and is a new type of miniature fruit that is both ornamental and edible, and is non-GMO. Its green skin and oval appearance are exactly the same as ordinary watermelons, but “Pepquino” is only 3 cm long, just like a thumb watermelon, and its inner flesh is green.Is mini watermelon tasty? What is its growing method?
1. How much does mini watermelon cost per jin?
Under normal circumstances, mini watermelons come to market in June and October. Because the growing conditions are relatively demanding, the yield of mini watermelons in China is not considered high. At present, the basic market price of mini watermelon is 35 yuan per jin. Compared with large watermelons at about 2 yuan per jin, it can truly be described as small but precious!
2. Is mini watermelon tasty?
Mini watermelon tastes very good. It can be eaten raw, and can also be used in dishes or desserts. Mini watermelon can be eaten directly, and its seeds are also edible. This watermelon fruit is delicious and has an aroma similar to banana and lime. This mini watermelon can be eaten in many ways, from salads to desserts: it can be eaten directly as a snack or appetizer, can be served with a simple summer salad as a home-style dish, can also be made into a small stir-fried watermelon dish, or its juice can be made into sorbet to relieve the summer heat. If paired with dark chocolate, the flavor is even better.
3. Mini watermelon growing methods
There are many mini watermelon varieties on the market. The fruit shapes include round and oval, the flesh can be red, yellow, orange, and so on, and the rind thickness varies. When choosing, the variety should be selected according to one's own cultivation techniques and the distance to the market for sales.
(1) Sowing and raising seedlings
1. Soaking seeds to promote germination
Seeds can be soaked and disinfected in warm water at 55°C, stirring continuously until the water temperature drops to about 30°C. After soaking for 4 hours, clean the seeds, then wrap them tightly in a wet towel and place them in an environment of about 30°C to promote germination.
2. Sowing
When the seed sprouts have grown to about 0.5 cm, sow them in a seedling tray. The seeds should be placed flat with the sprout tip facing upward, covered with 1.5 cm of fine nutrient soil, and the temperature should be kept at 25-30°C to ensure neat emergence. After emergence, the temperature can be kept at 18-28°C. The seedbed should be kept dry rather than wet. In early spring, frost damage should be prevented and sufficient light ensured. In summer, seedlings should be protected from high-temperature spindling.
(2) Cultivation
The world's smallest watermelon, “Pepquino”, can be cultivated in spring and summer. It can be grown either trailing on the ground or on a trellis, and trellising gives a larger yield. The general growth cycle is 60-85 days. After trellising, a single plant is 1.2-1.8 m tall, and each plant yields 60-90 fruits.
When the watermelon seedlings grow to 5-6 true leaves (plant height 10-12 cm), they can be trellised and the vines tied, or after 5 true leaves the tips can be pinched off to encourage side vines to grow. Generally, side vines are thicker than the main vine. Select 5-8 healthy side vines (remove the rest), and when these retained side vines are 10-12 cm long, trellis them and tie the vines. For these retained vines, remove all side vines that grow again below the first 15 leaves from the head.