Augusto F1 Kohaku

Class

Dicotyledons

Division

Angiospermae

Family

Cucurbitaceae

Order

Cucurbitales

Genus

Cucumis

Species

apple

Description

An annual horticultural herbaceous plant with a creeping habit and abundant branching; appreciated in the agri-food industry and cultivated in open fields for its characteristic fruits, globular or elongated, with a sweet and fresh flavour. Rustic, it requires full sun exposure in well-draining soil with plenty of organic matter as well as adequate irrigation and fertilisation to ensure an excellent summer flowering followed by abundant production.

Variety description

It is a variety with a medium vegetative vigour that is characterised by an excellent fruit set. The slightly oval, smooth-skinned cream-coloured fruit with slight green mottling has an original appearance. The size is within a range of 1.4-1.8 kg but with some exceptions. The flesh has a rather interesting white colour. The taste is excellent and very distinctive and is supported by a sugar content, ( brix ), of more than 15°. Excellent product shelf-life in the post-harvest phase. Due to the low vegetative development it is recommended to graft the plant onto a more vigorous rootstock such as assisto f1. In the case of cultivation without grafting it is recommended to leave a maximum of 6 fruits per plant.

Curiosities and special features

The pulp of the low-calorie melon is appreciated not only for its high water content, but also for the presence of minerals, vitamins A, B, C and antioxidants such as beta-carotene; it is widely used in the culinary sphere both consumed in the classic slice, also in combination with cold meats and mature cheeses, and for salads, yoghurt, smoothies and ice cream with a fresh and delicate taste.

Origin and distribution

Species originally from East Africa or, according to other studies, Asia; it reached the Mediterranean along trade routes in Roman times. Today, with its many cultivars, it is cultivated in those geographic areas with a warm temperate climate, while the fruit is consumed worldwide.

Flower size

The flower is average in final size compared to other varieties.

Leaf

Leaf has a palminervate, lobed lamina.

Fruit

The fruit is a round peponid weighing between 1400 and 1800 g, 17 to 21 cm in length, 13 to 16 cm in width and 13 to 17 cm in diameter, with a firm texture. It has a two-tone colouring and a smooth, non-edible skin. Ripening takes place from early summer to late summer. The taste is fresh and delicate, with an appetising, aromatic, sweet and intense flavour, accompanied by a fruity aroma. The sugar content reaches 15 °Brix and is not spicy (0-100 SHU). It is a variety with good organoleptic characteristics, good shelf life and overall good quality.

Flowering period

It flowers from late spring to late summer for a duration of 30 to 60 days.

Leaf colour

Unicolour shades.

Plant height

The height of the plant varies from 1.5 to 3 m depending on the developed habit.

Lifespan

Annual-cycle plant.

Where to plant

Commonly grown in flowerbeds, open field.

Stem

The stems are herbaceous and the variety has no thorns.

Flower

The flower is simple, medium-sized, with a gamopetalous corolla and single-coloured petals. It flowers from late spring to late summer, with a flowering period of between 30 and 60 days. It is attractive to bees and bumblebees.

Growth

Lush and indeterminate growing variety.

Plant habit

The variety has a characteristic creeping habit.

Branching

Branching is abundant.

PH

It prefers a Soil/medium with a pH ranging from slightly acidic to neutral, between 6.0 and 7.5.

Soil preparation

Before the spring-summer transplanting in open field/bed, dig 20/30 cm deep, removing any weeds, bulky stones and residues from previous crops, then bury organic or chemical fertiliser, which will provide the necessary nutrients in the plant's early stages of development, and then use a hoe to break up the most compact and coarse clods to facilitate fertiliser distribution. In order to improve the drainage of excess water, thus preventing harmful water stagnation, proceed by creating a raised flower bed by ballasting, then carefully level the surface by arranging the postarelle according to a suitable planting density.

During cultivation move the first 2/3 cm of soil by hoeing to eliminate weeds adjacent to the crop and to break up any surface crust.

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Sun exposure

Expose the plant to full sun for the best production result considering an appropriate water supply.

Ideal climate and temperature

Theideal temperature is between 18 and 30 °C; it needs medium-high temperatures to express an excellent flowering and abundant final production.

Use

Typically cultivated for its fruit, both privately and in industrial cultivation, as an

Agribusiness

Hardiness

A variety of medium-high rusticity; exposing it to full sun in soil free of waterlogging and ensuring regular fertilisation and irrigation will give excellent production results.

Soil

For melons, the ideal soil is medium-textured, i.e. characterised by a correct proportion between the different texture classes, as well as draining, deep, structured and well endowed with organic substance.

Difficulty

Cultivation of melons is fairly easy, the level of management required to obtain suitable vegetative growth and a good level of production is on the whole average.

Growing tips

Here are some cultivation measures to achieve the best development and fruiting performance:

Balanced fertilisation Avoid over-watering Put outside when there is no longer a risk of frost At least 10 hours of daylight Keep the substrate dry at low temperatures Exposure to direct light Correct pruning

Intercropping/combination

Due to its characteristic creeping habit, the plant needs space to be able to develop, and care should be taken when associating with other species.

Planting

In melon cultivation, a correct planting pattern is of primary importance in order to allow a suitable vegetative growth followed by an abundant production level; to this end, an average density of 1 plant per square metre is recommended, also considering the creeping habit. We suggest using young seedlings, with clear, non-necrotized roots, placing them on a raised bed of 15/20 cm with the collar outside the soil surface, ensuring that the root balls are well moistened and watering immediately after planting, preferably during the morning hours.

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Pruning

After transplanting, in order to obtain a smaller fruit size and a greater number of fruits, the seedling can be topped above the third leaf to encourage the emission of lateral shoots. During the growth phase, in the event of poor plant development at the time of the emission of the first female flowers, it is advisable to remove the first fruits to obtain better vegetative growth. To harvest the ripe fruit, make a cut with clean blades, making sure beforehand that the background colour turns yellow, intervening when the peduncle detaches but not before the formation of a crack at the base.

Propagation

Reproduction is by spring sowing in containers.

Repotting

It does not require potting.

Watering

The melon is a species that requires constant irrigation, particularly during the summer period, in order to be able to develop both the vegetative and productive parts optimally. Use rainwater, or alternatively aqueduct or canal water with an optimal neutral pH, intervening manually or using a sprinkler, drip-wing or sub-irrigation system. When transplanting, assist the seedling to ensure that it takes root properly in the new site, keeping it at a constant humidity but without exceeding the frequency and water supply to avoid possible root rot. Subsequently allow the soil to dry slightly between one watering and the next, keeping it slightly moist but free of stagnation; it is also advisable not to water the aerial part of the plant during the afternoon/evening and to irrigate after the fruit has been harvested. As a general rule, apply sufficient water to prevent leaf wilting and, in the period before harvesting, avoid both excessive dosing, to allow the plant to impart more sugars to the fruit, and water stress with possible subsequent cracking.

In the case of sowing, moisten the seed by burying it completely and covering it with a layer of horticultural soil and inert material, then keep the soil wet until the sprout emerges.

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Fertilising

In the pre-transplant preparation phase, bury a slow-release organo-mineral fertiliser to provide the nutrients the seedling needs in the early stages of growth. After transplanting, it is important to apply, by fertigation, a specific fertiliser for horticulture with a higher phosphorous content to encourage the formation of an adequate root system.

Subsequently, during the periods of greatest need in the open field, i.e. spring and summer, apply a specific water-soluble fertiliser for horticulture with a high nitrogen content to the soil in accordance with the dosages and frequencies indicated on the label of the product used.

Read more on the Joyflo blog

Pet safety

Toxicity to pets not known; however, consider the individual case and consult with your veterinarian before any administration.

Edibility for humans

Fruit with edible flesh.

Toxicity for humans

The fruit, if ripe and well preserved, is non-toxic, however consider the specific case for any intolerances or allergies. Avoid ingesting the peel.

Tip

For melons, it is essential to achieve good vegetative development before the first female flowers set. If this is not possible, due to the transplanting of too old plants, adverse weather conditions, e.g. cold and wet, the small fruits must be removed until adequate vegetative recovery has been achieved. Very young seedlings with no more than 4-5 true leaves should be transplanted. At the time of transplanting, the roots must have completely enveloped the soil loaf and appear pale, white and not necrotic. Transplanting should be carried out on a raised bed of at least 15-20 cm. The lump should be left out of the soil by at least 3-5 mm. If a drip line or perforated hose is used, this should be kept at a suitable distance (10-15 cm) from the plant collar to avoid diseases. Attention must be paid to water management in the pre-ripening period: this must be done without stress to avoid cracking and excessive sugar dilution.