It is already difficult to surprise with fresh watermelons in the winter as during "not season" they can be met on counters of many network shops. At this time "solar berry" is brought from fields of Spain and Brazil. Only taste at it not that, the high price and advantage under great doubt. Try to keep domestic seasonal watermelons till winter.
How to choose watermelon for storage
It is difficult to keep for a long time striped berry if it initially for this purpose does not approach. It is necessary to select watermelon for "wintering" according to certain criteria. For a start pay attention to its weight. Large watermelons are badly stored because they, as a rule, resung. Optimal variant – copies weight not exceeding 4-5 kg.
The watermelon grade is of great importance. For long storage choose late-ripening. Such are available for sale not earlier than September. Berries of late grades have thick peel and contain minimum of nitrates because they are usually not stimulated on fast maturing: watermelons "reach" under beams of the sun. In their pulp the high content of pectins. Such berries are capable to hold long time moisture and to keep elasticity. The Astrakhan, Central Asian and Caucasian watermelons belong to them.
At opportunity stop the choice on seedless grades. They are stored better and longer. It is connected with the fact that dissolution of intercellular substance, that is process of damage of watermelon begins with seed cameras.
That the fruit has lain about new year and has not lost the sweet taste, it has to have it initially. Choose only ripe copies. Unlike tomatoes and bananas, watermelon has no ability to independent ripening after it was removed from bed. Ripe berry is distinguished by dry tail and the horny aura around it.
At independent cultivation let's melon culture ripen in the natural way and be not fond of fertilizers which accelerate this process. Watermelon pulp instantly absorbs all "chemistry".
Refuse acquisition of berry for storage on the street disorders located near roads or which do not have canopy. In the first case watermelon together with dust will absorb in itself and hazardous substances from automotive exhausts, and in the second – will be overripe because of influence of sunshine. Also refuse purchase of berry in network shops because there usually deliver immature fruits.
Pay attention to quality of "fin whale", having examined its surface. Should not be present at it:
- damages;
- solar burns;
- scratches;
- dents;
Even through microscopic damage of bacterium easily will get in berry that will quickly lead to its damage.
Where to store watermelons till winter
Berries have identical chances "to live" about new year, being stored as in owner-occupied dwelling, and the apartment. The most important is to create special conditions. The suitable place for storage of berries:
- cool;
- aired;
- dark;
Indoors there have to be about +6-8 wasps and around 60-80% of humidity. Lower and high temperatures, as well as dried up and excessively moisture-laden air, promote fast damage of watermelon. At insufficient humidity berry begins to dry and lose taste.
In the apartment it is possible to store watermelons till winter on the glazed balcony, in the storeroom, the bathroom. In owner-occupied dwelling of suitable places more. It is possible to send berry for storage in cellar, garage, not heated terassa.
Important rules of storage of watermelon
Watermelons do not transfer "lying" on firm surface. The area of contact has to be big therefore use as substrate sand, straw, grain.
Previously wash watermelon cold water, dry and only after that send for storage.
"Solar berry" does not suffer the close neighbourhood with other products including with similar. Watermelons well absorb smells therefore joint stay with other vegetables or fruit can affect not in the best way taste.
Effective storage techniques of watermelons about new year
Grid
The simplest option is to place berry in grid and to suspend in the suitable place. Previously wind watermelon with dense natural fabric. Suspend so that it concerned nothing, for example, walls.
Wax, clay and alebast
Get normal wax candles and kindle on water bath. Previously find suitable bowl in which watermelon freely is located. Place fruit in the kindled wax and turn so that it has evenly covered peel. Dip watermelon until its strips do not become visible. The wax layer has to make not less than 1 cm. After that place it in grid and suspend. Surely you watch temperature in storing place: it is important that it did not fall below norm, otherwise watermelon will freeze slightly and will be spoiled.
Wax plays role of peculiar conservative. Normal clay or alabaster has similar properties. Principle of their application the same. Only previously dissolve clay and alebast with water to condition of dense sour cream.
Straw
Use straw and wooden box for storage of watermelon. Lay bottom thick layer dry grass and lay berries fruit stem up. If it is several watermelons, sustain distance between them that they did not adjoin. From above cover fruits with just the same straw layer.
Sand
Fill half wooden box with sand, surely dry. Lay on it berry fruit stem down. Besides, if it is several fruits, you watch that they did not adjoin. From above fill up watermelons with sand – it has to cover them completely.
Water
Storage of striped berry in ssamoy to normal water has high efficiency. In the presence of cellar it is better to store watermelons in wooden tubs. The way is suitable also for fridges. Indispensable conditions – ideally clean intact peel of watermelon and regular replacement of water, not less than two times a month.
How many watermelons are stored
Sending watermelon to "hibernation" does not mean that it is necessary to forget about it till the best times. Periodically check and overturn fruits. At the first signs of perversity without pity throw out berry. Observance of all rules of storage will allow watermelons to lie not less than three months.