A review of watermelon varieties with different ripening periods

These large, striped, green berries are beloved by many, and most farmers readily take on the challenge of growing them. However, there are a great many varieties of watermelons (there are even seedless and ornamental watermelons), and each has its own unique characteristics. In this article, we'll explain the different types of watermelons and provide a brief description so you can choose the variety that's right for you.

Which watermelon to choose?

As we've already mentioned, there are a huge number of watermelon varieties, so choosing the perfect one can be quite difficult. Generally, most watermelon varieties are the result of American, Dutch, and Russian breeding, with some varieties imported from China and Japan. These plants have always been classified as early-ripening, mid-season, and late-ripening, and this is the main characteristic by which farmers select them. In favorable climate conditions, any variety you choose will be suitable for outdoor cultivation. If the climate is less favorable, however, it's better to grow the plant in a greenhouse.

The main criteria to be guided by are the timing of harvest, its volume, the taste and color of the pulp, and the difficulty of growing the plant itself. Watermelons can be purchased both in specialty stores and online (one of the most well-known websites is Uralskiy Dachnik). Besides the usual varieties, there are also some quite exotic ones, such as the square-shaped berries from China, or the most expensive watermelon, Densuke, from Japan. Therefore, here we will share information about the best varieties of these melons.

Early ripening

There are different varieties of early melons, but they are all very sweet and the most resistant to adverse weather conditions. Early-ripening watermelons ripen as early as midsummer, so you'll be the first to enjoy their extraordinary flavor. Even ultra-early-ripening hybrids have been developed. These include:

watermelon Erken F1;
watermelon Julia F1;
watermelon Arashan F1;
watermelon Barkhan F1;
watermelon Pony Red F1;
watermelon Farmer F1;
watermelon Ruby Heart;
Galaxy;

These varieties boast very good characteristics: high yields, ease of cultivation, and very early ripening. For example, the Farmer F1 delights its owner with ripe berries just 26 days after fruit set. Furthermore, high-quality watermelon seeds of these varieties are quite easy to purchase online. Uralskiy Dachnik is one such online store selling watermelon seeds.

Prince of Denmark

The Danish Prince watermelon is characterized by a dark green color, virtually stripeless. The "boy" (male variety) of this melon has a more elongated shape, while the "girl" is slightly flattened. A single fruit can weigh up to 6 kg, and the flesh inside is grainy and very bright, with a raspberry hue, and is as juicy as a tomato.

The Danish Prince's flavor is soft and delicate, unusually sweet. The seeds of this variety are small and brown. The yield is quite good—up to 17 kg. It's best to store the fruits in special cages.

Scarlet Sweet

The Scarlet Sweet watermelon ripens fairly quickly—within 75 days. The quality of the Scarlet Sweet berries is excellent, and there's virtually no way to reduce its yield. The fruits are large, reaching up to 6 kg in weight. The flesh, as the variety's name suggests, is a very bright red, almost tomato-like, and is also unusually sweet. The "boy" Scarlet Sweet berries are more elongated than the female varieties.

Sugar Lightning

The Sugar Lightning watermelon is a hybrid variety that ripens in about 65 days. The leaves are small, and the specimens themselves resemble mini-watermelons (weighing up to 2.5 kg). The rind is quite thin, with faint stripes. The flesh is scarlet, and the flavor has hints of honey. Seeds of this watermelon are easily purchased on the Ural Gardener website.

Bonta F1

The Bonta F1 watermelon is a vigorous plant, so be sure to prune it regularly to help the vines develop properly. This youngster has a dark green rind with black stripes, and the flesh is dense, dark red, and has a surprisingly sweet flavor. The specimens themselves are quite large, weighing up to 8 kg, and produce excellent yields. These melons are stored in special cages to prevent spoilage.

Early Sugar

This early-ripening watermelon, the seeds of which are easily found on the Ural Gardener website, is suitable for growing in greenhouses and open ground. Its fruits are spherical (although the "boy" varieties are still slightly longer and more elongated), weighing up to 3 kg. The flesh is grainy and sweet. Special cages are used for storage.

Skorik

Skorik produces large berries, weighing up to 3 kg, with a green rind and wide black stripes. The flesh is a beautiful pink color and has a wonderful flavor. The berries themselves are best stored and transported in melon cages, and to purchase this watermelon, simply go to a reputable online store, such as Uralskiy Dachnik.

Producer

This watermelon variety produces good yields and fairly large berries—up to 12 kg—with an elongated shape, excellent flavor, and bright red flesh. Producer fruits are easy to transport and are shipped in special cages.

Mid-season

These varieties take a little longer to ripen, but are in no way inferior in taste to early and late varieties.

Beijing Joy

The Beijing Joy berry was imported from China but has also become established in our region. It takes 115 days to ripen. The berry itself is attractively colored—green with black stripes. Inside, the Beijing Joy berry, originally from faraway China, reveals juicy, grainy, red flesh with a wonderfully sweet flavor. Farmers remark on the excellent qualities of these berries from China.

The Black Prince

The Black Prince watermelon ripens in 75–100 days, is cylindrical, and dark green. A single specimen can weigh up to 10 kg. The flesh is dark red and sweet. This youngster is exceptionally resistant to high temperatures and produces a good harvest.

The Emperor's Cap

The Emperor's Cap watermelon yields fruit in 90 days. The fruits are small, up to 8 kg, and oval in shape. They are light green with black stripes. The flesh is bright red and juicy.

Astrakhan

This melon variety is ready to harvest after 80 days. The fruits are round, slightly elongated, with green skin and a mesh pattern, weighing up to 6 kg. The flesh is scarlet and surprisingly sweet.

Late-ripening

Late varieties of watermelons ripen later, but they can be stored for several months.

Chilly

After three months, you can enjoy the ripe fruits. The berries themselves are truly gigantic, weighing up to 25 kg. They are elongated in shape, with a bright green skin and an almost ruby-colored flesh characterized by an extraordinary sweetness. In good conditions, they can be stored for up to three months.

Spring

The harvest begins in 100 days. The fruits are small—up to 3 kg—spherical, with olive-colored skin and scarlet flesh that is juicy and sweet.

Bush 334

It ripens in 100 days. Each fruit weighs about 8 kg, and its flesh is amazingly tasty and bright pink. The fruits of the Bush 334 variety keep until January.

Icarus

After three months, you'll be rewarded with an excellent harvest. The fruits can weigh up to 15 kg. Their skin is dark green, and the flesh is almost raspberry-colored, sweet and tender. They can be stored fresh until February, and they also make excellent candied fruit.

Video "Overview of Watermelon Varieties"

In this video you will hear about the best varieties of watermelons.