Square watermelons were invented by the Japanese about forty years ago. More precisely, not square, but cubic. No, they didn't get paid for their discovery. Nobel Prize in biology. And it has nothing to do with selection. The cunning people figured out how to enclose a growing watermelon in a transparent container so that, as it grows, the fruit takes its shape. This way you can grow not only square watermelons, but also cylindrical zucchini and tetrahedron-shaped eggplants, if such a need arises.
What was the need for unusual shape? The culprit is the high cost of retail space. How are these two things related? Yes, very simple.
Overcrowding in Japanese cities has caused high cost not only housing, but also any premises - industrial, office, retail. Owners of shops selling vegetables and fruits were forced to pay high prices, and in such conditions the shops had a small area in order to be affordable for poor tenants. And on small area and you can’t place a lot of goods, but watermelons are ordinary, round shape, tend to occupy large volumes of space precisely because of their non-compact configuration. Bringing watermelons every day is not a cheap task: its cost is low. So Japanese farmers decided to provide a service to fruit merchants.
They took it and came up with a shape so that they could be easily stored and take up less space, and they didn’t even roll around on the counter.
The practicality and foresight of Japanese melon growers went so far as to grow square watermelons of such a size that they could easily fit on the shelves of Japanese refrigerators! The novelty immediately appealed to the taste (and shape) of the domestic Japanese consumer. And although the costs of growing them were slightly higher (due to the need to place them in transparent boxes), and the store price was three to four times higher than the price of regular products, square watermelons quickly gained popularity among the population. Many farmers from other countries began to adopt " innovate experience» the Japanese and also began to grow figured watermelons.
The farmer who first came up with the idea of growing non-standard fruits did not think of immediately patenting his invention, and for many years the fruits (both literally and figuratively) of his ingenuity were enjoyed by many. True, in the end he did take out a patent, but how much money he lost over the past decades!
But, apparently, the square watermelon, the photo of which adorns many exhibitions and the pages of Internet portals, is successful only in Japan and the countries closest to it. In other places, where everything is in order with the size of retail space in vegetable stores, they decided to trade “the old fashioned way.” In addition, they say that the taste of a square watermelon is still lower than that of a round one.
Ornamental crops often coexist with edible beauty, allowing for maximum diversification of landscape design and the creation of unique compositions. The edible exotic presented in this article is a relatively new crop that combines attractive appearance and excellent taste characteristics. The square watermelon first appeared many years ago as a result of the experiments of an ordinary breeder. The gardener simply placed the ovaries of the berries when they were being formed into plastic square containers. As it grew and developed, the cubic watermelon took on the necessary shape. Subsequently Plastic container was harvested, and the berry continued to delight the eye with its unusual shape until it was fully ripe. Students from Japan were impressed by the idea. And as a result of many years of research and experimentation, a special variety “Kaku-Melo” was developed. Currently, this is the only variety that does not require unnecessary movements and tricks with plastic containers in order to get square berries. You can see cube watermelons in the photo below, and also learn about how to grow them with your own hands. personal plot in any region of the country: 
The growing process begins with choosing a variety. It is selected taking into account the characteristics of the climate zone. Currently, there are varieties resistant to unfavorable climatic conditions- they are suitable for cultivation in open ground even in Siberia and the Urals. These are “Creamstar”, “Suga baby”, “Pink champagne”, “Ogonyok” and many others. 
Practiced exclusively seedling method cultivation. Otherwise you won't even get minimum harvest there is no chance left. Sowing of seedlings takes place in early March. The seeds are pre-soaked for 2-3 days in nutrient solution with the addition of growth stimulants. After soaking, the seeds are placed in the refrigerator on the top shelf for 48 hours. This is the stratification stage. Sowing is carried out in well-structured soil with a high content of organic matter. About half the volume of soil is occupied by humus or compost. Sand and turf (deciduous) soil are added to it in equal proportions. The soil reaction should be neutral; if the reaction is acidic, the addition of lime or wood ash is required. The soil is calcined in the oven for 3 hours. Then pour boiling water with the addition of potassium permanganate. After cooling, you can place them in peat pots and plant 2 seeds in each to a depth of 1 cm. There are certain sowing tricks: 
Growing a decorative square watermelon in open ground is possible after the threat of return frosts has completely passed. Sometimes temporary film shelters are used. The timing of planting seedlings in the ground usually occurs at the end of May or beginning of June. At this time, the seedlings are already blooming and require preliminary hardening. For this purpose, they are taken out into the open air every day for 2-3 hours. 
In open ground it is necessary to create favorable conditions for development. The crop should be planted only on a previously prepared bed with biofuel. Usually this is removed upper layer soil (about 30 cm or the bayonet of a shovel). Then old hay, straw, dry branches, cardboard, paper, and cotton rags are placed in the trench. Fresh grass is added to the biofuel in a layer of up to 10 cm. Everything is covered with soil. You need to pour boiling water over the garden bed and cover it with tarpaulin for 7 days. All this will start the process of “burning” biofuel, which produces a huge amount carbon dioxide, stimulating the growth of decorative cubic watermelon in open ground. Abundant watering is required, but it can only be done in the first half of the day. Evening watering leads to overcooling of the root system at night. This significantly inhibits the growth of melon crops. Feeding with liquid mullein and mineral complexes - once a week. The soil surface should be regularly mulched with fresh green grass or rotted sawdust. This creates favorable conditions for the functioning of the root system. The use of decorative square watermelon in landscape design has no limits. This could be a composition rustic style, or maybe an emphasis on the unusual shape of the berry. Look at the photo for some ideas for using square watermelons in the design of a site - combine the benefits with aesthetic pleasure: 
Watermelon is a berry that is usually sweet and round. But it can also be strange, unusual for a person. Not long ago, the world became interested in its cubic shape. How is this possible and is it possible to grow a cube berry yourself?
Cubic watermelon- a creation from Japan, which became known more than 30 years ago. This exclusive will cost more than the usual berries. Its main advantages:
It is possible to give a cubic shape to any type of berry. The main thing is to choose the option that is most suitable for your climate and soil. For example, varieties with short term maturation:“Sugar Baby”, “Spark”, “Gift to the North”, etc. At a certain stage, the berry is placed in a transparent box without being removed from the tops.
The process of growing a watermelon cube is no different from the usual one. The only thing you need is to place it in a special box at a certain stage of maturation. You can make a cube yourself at home.
Did you know? The largest watermelon in the world weighing 120 kg was grown in the USA in Arkansas.
To make a box, you will need:
Also, don't forget what you need to have to make a box electric jigsaw, a drill or a hole saw, a screwdriver and, of course, a feather drill (d=0.25 cm).
From a sheet of available material, for example, plexiglass, 6 blanks are cut out: one measuring 25 × 25 cm; the rest are a little more. Consider the fact that the diagonal box should be wider than the diagonal of the berry variety that you plan to grow.
On the top cover (on at this stage- workpiece) drill a hole with a diameter of 2.5 cm. To the edge of the lid from this hole you need to cut a rectangle (strip) 2 cm wide. This is done to preserve the integrity of the ovary. 2 door hinges are attached to the lid and side wall.
Important! The lid should cover the ends of the side walls.
Next, you can begin assembling the side walls and adjusting them to the size of the lid. The blanks are connected with self-tapping screws, the head of which protrudes. If necessary, the joints of the box are reinforced with metal corners.
Two door hinges, which remained, are necessary to make the bottom of the box opening, that is, the second door.
Conditions and rules for growing square watermelons If you have decided on the variety and made a box according to the size of the future watermelon, then you can try to grow a cubic berry. H
Choose a sunny location on the south side of the nearest building for less shadow. It is also better to place the beds at a slope to the south so that the soil is evenly and deeply heated.
IN open ground seedlings are placed at the end of May, at a time when the risk of sudden frost (or cold snap) is minimized. The climate should be warm, moderately dry, and the weather should be sunny.
Melons love structured soil, which is rich in micronutrients. It shouldn't be sour. If this is not the case, then wood ash or lime should be added to the soil. In loose light soil During digging, river sand is added.
Planting berries can be done in several ways: seedlings or directly into open ground.
The seedling method involves planting seeds in peat cups and only after germination, moving the plants into open ground.
It is used if the climatic conditions in a given area do not allow growing melons directly in open ground. For example, in Siberia or other cold regions. To get quality planting material (seedlings), it is necessary to inoculate previously soaked in a stimulant solution (for 3 days) and refrigerated (for 2 days) seeds in March. They are sown in peat cups with fertile soil and covered with film.
Do not keep seedlings on the windowsill; watermelon does not like temperature changes. As a rule, after 10 days of compliance with the specified conditions, the first shoots appear. Next, as the sprouts grow, soil is added to the cups until they are filled to the top.
Ready seedlings are placed in open ground at the end of May or beginning of June, when they already have at least 5 leaves. If you live in the northern region, plant it in high beds. For the first 14 days after transplanting the seedlings into the soil outside, you need to care for them in the same way as other melon crops: protect them from the cold at night, water
Once the watermelon reaches the size of an apple, you can place it in the box you made. Then all that remains is to properly care for it: watering in moderation and caring for the soil.
Upon reaching maximum size(according to box parameters) The berry will begin to take on the shape of the container in which it is placed. The ripening period after planting in open ground- about 95 days. After the specified time, you can disassemble the box and carefully remove the watermelon from there.
Important! Do not plant watermelons in a place where other melons and melons have previously grown because of the risk of larvae or fungi inhabiting the soil that infect such plants.
In open ground, the berries are planted in a greenhouse 1.7 m high, in which only melons and melons are grown. Recommended humidity is less than 60%. Temperature - no higher than +30 °C.
Under such conditions, seeds of the selected variety of watermelon are sown in the soil. Don’t forget to water the plant and ventilate the greenhouse. As soon as the berry reaches 10 cm in diameter, it can be placed in a box. Water the crop generously.
If you did everything correctly, including guessing the box parameters, after 100 days the exclusive product can be served. You can determine readiness by the dried tail, dull bark and yellowish lower part of the watermelon. At this point, you can carefully remove the berry from the box.
Caring for watermelon is easy. In addition to placing and removing the berries from the box, it, like a regular one, needs to be watered, fertilized and loosened the soil.
After planting, the seedlings are immediately covered with film/agrofibre. The soil should be periodically loosened and ventilated, opening the film slightly, as well as thinning out thickened crops.
To ensure that moisture is well retained in the soil, the holes are mulched with straw (layer thickness - 10 cm). Don't forget about fertilizing and watering.
Watering must be done once every 7 days, if the climate is too hot - 1 time every 3 days. Use only warm water. Do not overwater the plants.
In August, the time comes for ripe and juicy watermelons. The pulp of the fruit contains a large amount of nutritional vitamins and microelements. Regular consumption of fruits will allow you to cleanse the body and, at the same time, lose weight. excess weight. Traditionally, everyone is accustomed to the fact that the berry has a round or oval shape. But more and more often you can see a square watermelon in markets.
Everyone is accustomed to the fact that watermelon is a round berry or, in extreme cases, oval. But in the last few years, you can see cubic watermelons on the market. According to the characteristics, this is the same berry, only of a different shape. There are no differences between cubic and round berries, except for the shape.
Square watermelons have been around for several years. For the first time, the Japanese managed to give the fruit a square shape. The advantages of such berries are that in this form the fruits are easier to transport. They take up less space during transport. This is the only advantage of square watermelons compared to round ones.
Growing watermelons in open ground is not difficult. The only limitation is that this crop does not grow in every climate. More precisely, berries can only be grown in the southern regions, where summers are hot and long. Even in the central parts it will not be possible to grow large fruits.
One of the most expensive watermelons is the Densuke variety. This berry is distinguished by an unusual dark green tint of the peel, which appears black from a distance. Before planting watermelons, you need to choose the right variety.
If the variety has to be grown in the central regions, then preference should be given to zoned varieties. Such seeds are adapted to climatic conditions and produce a good harvest.
In the southern regions, any varieties are grown. Early varieties Watermelons have watery flesh. They don't taste very sweet. There are only sugar late varieties berries. In the south, seeds are immediately planted in open ground. In other regions, they first grow seedlings at home and then transplant them to a permanent place.
Since square watermelons are no different from regular ones, they are grown in the same way. Special attention devoted to sowing seeds. First, the seeds are germinated.
In a saucer you need to dilute a weak solution of potassium permanganate and transfer the seeds there. Place the saucer in a plastic bag, fill it with some air and tie it. After a few days, shoots begin to appear. After this, the seeds are planted.
Each seed is placed in a separate container. To prepare the soil you need to take:
Mix all ingredients thoroughly and pour into glasses. Plant the seeds. The first shoots appear after a few weeks. Planting melons in open ground is carried out after the street has established warm weather, and there will be no frost at night.
After planting in open ground and during the period of active growth melons a large amount of liquid is required. Preferred view watering - rain, that is, using a hose. They also install an automatic sprinkler and turn it on for 3-4 hours in the evenings. Watering should be done only in the evening.
The amount of watering is reduced after the flowering period. Then they switch to drip irrigation.
Fertilizers are applied at the root of watermelons. One bush requires 300-500 milliliters of fertilizing. Afterwards the soil is watered with warm water. From organic fertilizers use mullein and chicken droppings. As for mineral ones, you need to use complex ones, which contain all the necessary elements.
Mixtures prepared according to traditional methods. For example, yeast-based feeding is considered the most effective. To prepare yeast-based fertilizer, you need to take 3 liters of water, 6 tablespoons of granulated sugar and a package of yeast. Mix all ingredients and leave to ferment for 3-5 days. Before watering, dilute 200 milliliters of fertilizer with 1 liter of water and water the plants at the roots. Such fertilizing promotes the growth of bushes and abundant formation of ovaries.
You can grow a square watermelon only in the southern regions, where summer comes early and ends late, and the whole season stands hot weather. The technology for growing a square watermelon is quite simple, and such fruits can be obtained even at home. Those summer residents who live in the south can experiment and grow square fruits.
Preparing a mold for a watermelon at home is not difficult. The main thing is to have it on hand necessary materials. This is the only difficulty that summer residents face in the process of growing a square fruit.
In order to make a structure for forming berries, you will need the following devices and materials:
Once all the materials have been prepared, you can begin assembling the form.
Making a square shape for a watermelon with your own hands:
The main thing that plastic box was strong enough and able to withstand the pressure of a watermelon growing inside. Fruits should be placed in prepared boxes after they reach the size of an apple.
There are several ways to determine the ripeness of a watermelon:
After the melon crop has been harvested, the berries must be properly stored so that they remain intact longer. They should be stored in a dark room where open Sun rays. For long-term storage Only late varieties of melons are suitable.
Such fruits are cut with a sharp knife or pruning shears. In this case, the stalk must be left at least 5 centimeters long.
The harvested crop is placed on a thin layer of straw. Only healthy fruits without mechanical damage are suitable for long-term storage. If there are cracks in the peel, then the fruit will not be stored for a long time.
Square berries are often kept in earthen trenches. The recess is covered with straw or hay, then the crop is laid out. After this, they are covered with straw again and covered with soil on top.
Summer residents and gardeners who are interested in all the innovations in the field of growing new, exotic crops could not help but pay attention to the appearance of watermelons of a non-standard square shape.
Amazing square watermelons are a remarkable achievement of Japanese experimenters. By the way, the first copy of the miracle berry saw the light of day more than 30 years ago.
What qualities of fruits attract consumers so much? Among the advantages are the following:
For your information, this is an ordinary watermelon, its excellent taste and composition remain unchanged.
Among the disadvantages of square fruits, as the Japanese testify, is that they ripen unevenly. Therefore, it is better to use them as an attribute, decoration at various celebrations. 
Japanese agricultural firms grow watermelons of unusual shapes. About 200-400 pieces are produced annually, depending on the yield. It is clear that with this small quantity copies of the product are a rarity, have an appropriate price and require pre-order.
For gardeners who like to experiment, we can offer another, fairly simple way to purchase a non-standard fruit. It is easy to grow it yourself.
Let's look in detail at how to grow a square watermelon. As already mentioned, no significant genetic changes will have to be made, you just need to ensure the correct formation of the appropriate form. Should be prepared in advance square design, which contains the watermelon ovary. To do this, prepare the materials:
Tools and fastening material The most common ones are used: a hacksaw (or jigsaw), screwdrivers, a drill for drilling holes, screws, nuts.
The form for growing a square watermelon is a cube with 6 planes - identical squares 20x20 cm. When manufacturing, take into account the design features:
Buying a ready-made form is quite difficult. The designs are sold in specialized stores in large cities. The number of form copies will be small.
If you decide to make square watermelon production part of your business, you will need to specially order molds.
Watermelon seeds are planted at the beginning of summer, sometimes in May, when the weather is warm. Experienced melon growers who know well how to grow watermelons understand that a lot depends on the quality of the seeds. Take seed material zoned for your area early dates maturation. Before planting, specially treat:
When sowing, focus on a soil temperature of 15 degrees above zero. The soil should be loose and fertile. Sow to a depth of 6-8 cm 10 seeds per linear meter(not everyone will ascend).
If low temperatures prevent you from sowing a crop in a timely manner, you must first germinate the seeds in peat pot. During this time the earth will warm up.
When the temperature changes, a square watermelon is grown in a greenhouse.
After planting, it is necessary to regularly water the holes with water (+25 degrees). The soil for germination must be constantly moist.
After 7 days, sprouts will appear. When caring for seedlings, follow these tips:
Then, upon reaching 10 cm in diameter, the ovary is placed in a mold. Watermelons will gradually grow, taking the form of a cube. 
Caring for fruits in shape consists of maintaining required temperature, moderate watering (watermelon does not like waterlogging).
The berries are collected in August and September, 3 months after planting.
It is worth adding that growing square watermelons requires the experience of a melon gardener. If the shape is larger than the watermelon, it will not be square. If less, the fruit will crack and the result will worsen.
In general, it all depends on how well the gardener knows how to grow watermelons, knows the varieties, and can choose required size for the selected form.
For an unnaturally shaped watermelon, determining ripeness plays an important role. They are recognized primarily by external signs:
As for determining ripeness by “ringing”, such a fruit will be overripe. 
For long storage Late-ripening square watermelons are grown. After collection, they are laid out in a well-ventilated place on a layer of dry straw. The laying shape is a pyramid of 7-8 rows. Fence the area with fragile goods with boards.
Scientists and plant breeders around the world undoubtedly continue to work on the creation of new bizarre forms of plants. The experiments concern many crops - melons, cucumbers, tomatoes, radishes, apples. Cone-shaped watermelons and cucumbers, which have a star-shaped cut rather than a round one, amaze the imagination of consumers.
