When we talk about watermelons, we usually mean Astrakhan watermelons - the most popular in Russia. However, watermelon is different from watermelon. In total, there are more than 1,200 varieties of the largest striped berry.

The most unique

You definitely won’t be able to pick “Densuke” watermelon from your own garden. It is grown in only one place on the planet - on the Japanese island of Hokkaido. However, the main feature of the rare plant is its extraordinary appearance. The black crust without a single stripe is completely different from the traditional “coloring”. But inside, the watermelon is quite similar to its counterparts with juicy red flesh.

The harvest of the black beauty is no more than 10 thousand pieces. The unusual appearance and limited edition determine the cost of the delicacy - about $250.

Not many people can afford such a treat. Interestingly, the auction proceeds from the sale of the first copy of “Densuke” exceeded 6 thousand dollars. So this watermelon can also be called the most expensive in the entire history of growing the crop.

Biggest

To listen to “ahs!” at the end of summer! and “ooh!” From neighbors looking with envy at a tiny watermelon grown near them, you need to make a lot of effort. It is unknown what methods the American Lloyd Bright resorts to. Surely, the Arizonan knows some secret, because since 1979, huge watermelons have traditionally been harvested on his farm.

In 2005, a world record holder was grown there - the Carolina Cross watermelon, which weighed 122 kg.

After 4 years, Russian farmers gave “their answer.” Krasnodar resident Igor Likhosenko surprised everyone with a “berry” of 61.4 kg. Gossips It was rumored that the farmer grafted the watermelon onto more powerful pumpkin roots, which allowed him to get an impressive result. However, in gardening and gardening, as in war, all means are good.

The smallest

When you look at a watermelon with a diameter of several centimeters, you involuntarily think: why and who needs one?

It turns out that you really need it! The Pepquinos variety is actively purchased by fashionable restaurants around the world for the preparation of delicious salads and desserts.

Micro watermelons are not just another achievement of breeders. Wonderful babies grow wild in South America. Our gardeners will definitely not be interested in them, because appearance Watermelons are similar to gooseberries, and taste like cucumbers. There is plenty of both in our gardens.

Most popular among Russians

Astrakhan watermelon is not just a watermelon. This is a brand! IN Soviet times it was “Astrakhansky” that made it possible to “catch up and overtake”, making it possible to set a new record for the harvest.

The variety is valued by manufacturers and retailers for its disease resistance, excellent transportability and shelf life. The nationwide love of buyers is also quite understandable - the traditional divine taste, the delightful fresh aroma. You cut it with a crunch – and your soul rejoices!

Most seedless

An indispensable component of a typical watermelon are the seeds. For many, spitting them is an integral part of the ritual of eating delicacies. But not for everyone!

Probably, it was precisely for those who are irritated or tired of extracting seeds from the pulp that the seedless variety “Red King” was bred.

The danger of choking on a sunflower seed, of course, has disappeared, but along with it, it seems, the charm of the moment of leisurely family gatherings has also disappeared. A huge dish in the center of the table, surrounded by satisfied faces, smeared to the ears with watermelon juice... Beauty!

The most unwatermelon flavor

What does watermelon taste like? Many will quite reasonably say: “Watermelon!” But Astrakhan breeder Artem Sokolov will definitely answer differently, because his “Vector” variety has a unique nutmeg taste.

It appeared due to an increase in the amount of extremely beneficial monosaccharides for the body: glucose - the necessary “fuel” for the effective functioning of cells, and fructose - a sugar that does not require insulin for absorption.

The curiosity was released in 2013. Then she became a laureate of the “Watermelon – Champion” competition. By the way, Artem’s father Sergei Sokolov is the creator of the world-famous “Lunny” variety with amazing yellow flesh and a subtle lemon flavor.

The most unpretentious

To ripen a watermelon, it is necessary that the weather be dry and sunny all summer, the soil temperature does not fall below 10 degrees, the air temperature does not rise above 30. In general, there are too many “buts” to achieve a positive result. But is it in the nature of Russian people to despair and helplessly throw up their hands?

Many years of practice have led to the conclusion that it is quite possible to grow a watermelon in a greenhouse if you plant, for example, a “Sugar Baby”, which is not very picky about growing conditions.

Of course, it won’t be possible to roll a giant on a garden wheelbarrow from the greenhouse to the house. But throwing one and a half to two kilograms of “real watermelons” each into the trunk, even for residents of the northern regions, is quite possible.

For many, summer is associated not only with vacation and the sea, but also with juicy, red and delicious watermelon. This is one of the favorite summer treats for both children and adults. The birthplace of watermelon is considered South America. In this country, both small and huge specimens are grown. The Arabs first began to grow watermelon as a melon crop, and then the Jews.

Many agronomists from different countries long time We were arguing, what type of watermelon is it? What is this? A genus of the Pumpkin family or a large berry? But even today the opinions of experts are divided. Only one thing is clear - this is a tasty and healthy fruit!

Regardless of which family this juicy delicacy belongs to, many farmers are trying to set the record. Their main goal is to grow the largest watermelon in the world.

Record-breaking watermelons

So, how much does the largest watermelon weigh? Recent data suggests that the United States is the best country for growing giants. But residents of other countries are also not lagging behind. Since the watermelon has taken root well in different countries, each one strives to grow the juiciest and largest specimen.

The leadership in growing watermelons belongs to the following countries:

• Türkiye;
• China;
• Iran;
• Brazil.

Delicious giant from America

The largest watermelon in the world was first registered in the United States in 2005. He weighed 122 kilograms. No one has yet managed to break this record. This specimen was included in the Guinness Book of Records. This luscious giant grew on personal plot about 6 months. Heavy weight watermelon did not allow it to be brought to the scales. He was carried on a large cart.

Three years later (in 2008), another giant grew up in America. A delicacy weighing 117 kilograms was grown in Louisiana. This weight did not allow them to break the previous record, but the farmers decided not to stop there. They promised to please everyone with a new record holder in the future.

Truly, a real giant was grown in 2013 in Tennessee. An American was able to grow a watermelon weighing almost 159 kg. This specimen was officially registered as the largest watermelon in the world. And Chris Kent became famous throughout the country thanks to this. In addition, it is interesting that Chris does not engage in agriculture professionally, is not a representative of famous American farming dynasties. By profession he is an ordinary accountant, and his hobby is growing melons.

Chris assures that he will again get into the Guinness Book of Records. He will be able to grow the largest watermelon again.

Chinese record holders

China is a country that is always on everyone's lips. She cannot boast of any clear records in growing watermelons. The largest specimen grown in this country weighed 70 kg. But Chinese agronomists distinguished themselves in another way, because they developed a new variety. And today you can buy a watermelon in the shape of a heart, cube or pyramid. Chinese breeders believe that fruits of this shape will be stored for a long time. In addition, this form affects the taste of the fruit - it becomes juicier and brighter.

By the way, tourists in China are offered to visit a special village where large sweet fruits are grown.

Giant of Azerbaijan

Juicy fruits and delicious berries- this is the main business card of the sunny Caucasus. And it is not surprising that almost the largest watermelon in the world could grow here, weighing 119 kg. Local farmers did not hide the fact that the seeds from which this giant grew were brought from the USA (Carolina Cross variety). From such planting material large, oblong-shaped fruits with light green stripes grow. The ripening period of the Azerbaijani giant is about 100 days.

Japan leads again

The Japanese strive to become the first in the world in many industries. Farming is no exception. Indeed, in 2005, a local farmer was able to grow a watermelon weighing 111 kilograms.

Melon grower Akinori Takomitsu has been growing watermelons all his life. And over time, he turned his hobby into quite profitable business. After all, such copies sell well in cafes and restaurants. The fruits are not only large, but also sweet.

But this farmer does not hope for favorable natural conditions. He actively uses the latest technical inventions for cultivation.

The Japanese giant was bought for almost $300 alone trade organization for promotions.

Russian record

A Russian farmer grew a watermelon weighing 90 kg in 2009. He promised that he would break the American record in speed and get into the Guinness Book of Records.

Ukrainian record

The Ukrainian record is relatively small, but deserves attention. A local resident presented at the annual festival farm watermelon weighing 25 kilograms. This is a record for growing melons and melons in Ukraine.

How to grow a giant watermelon

Do you also want to raise a record holder? First of all, choose the right variety. However, remember that seeds should be selected taking into account the climate of your area. After all, the variety of the giant American fruit may not take root in your area.

Proper care is the key to success. In particular, you should choose the right place for growing and fertilize the soil in time. In this case, the plant should grow in a sunny, open area. If you want to get a large watermelon, experts recommend leaving only one fruit.

The plant needs daily watering. To achieve uniform ripening, the fruit must be turned regularly from one side to the other. Sometimes it is placed on a special pallet made of wood and mesh. This way the fruit will not rot.

The disadvantage of these giants is that they are not very sweet taste. After all, such large fruits do not ripen completely inside.

The color of the fruit's crust can be different: light or dark green, pockmarked, with dark or white stripes, or without it at all.

Watermelon is grown in almost 100 countries. There are more than 1000 varieties. This fruit is sweet and juicy. Many doctors recommend its use, because it is an excellent diuretic, anti-inflammatory and antipyretic agent.

Eating watermelon in summer is a must. After all, it consists of almost 90% water. Thanks to this, its consumption perfectly balances the amount of fluid in the human body.

Such berry crop, like a watermelon, is known to most inhabitants of the planet. It causes active debate among scientists and every year it gains more and more fans of its taste. Between June and September it is the largest berry in the world. Science knows many of its varieties, and there is an unspoken competition among farmers to see who can grow the largest watermelon in the world.

Ancient tales

As history shows, watermelon was well known both in Ancient Egypt, and in Rome. There are many legends and tales about this tasty and juicy berry. For example, the ancient inhabitants of the country of the pharaohs were sure that large watermelons were fruits that grew from a seed that the ruler of the underworld, god Seth, could not contain at the sight of the goddess Isis.

The Vietnamese have a legend that the first watermelons appeared on the island of An Thiem, where the adopted son of King Hung Vuong the Ninth, Mai Yen, was serving his sentence. The legend says that May became incredibly rich because he constantly worked tirelessly, and when his adoptive father saw this, he did not believe in the honesty of what the young man had earned.

Angry, he exiled Maya Yen and his wife to an uninhabited rocky island with sparse vegetation. After some time, an overseas bird flew to a deserted island and left behind strange seeds, which, having fallen into the ground, sprouted and produced strange large green fruits. The exile tried the berry and was very happy that now he and his wife would not die of hunger.

Planting rules and features of growing Yellow Giant raspberries

May collected all the seeds from the watermelons he had eaten and planted them around the island. As a result, there were so many fruits that they could be traded, and an enterprising man decided to attract people to the island by writing his name on one of the fruits and where it could be found. After some time, a ship moored to a deserted island, and Mai Yen exchanged the berries for rice and spices. This is how his active trading began.

Each time more and more ships sailed to the island, and things adopted son the king began to prosper. The man improved his condition and again became one of richest people kingdoms. Having learned about what had happened, King Hung Vuong believed that the young man had not deceived him and, forgiving him, invited him back to the palace. Since then, the Vietnamese have believed that the island where Mai Yen lived is the island of watermelons or, as they are called in those parts, Western cucumbers.

The origin of the name of the berry also has many variations. Some scientists believe that the word “watermelon” is of Kipchak origin. IN modern world this language is dead, and in the 18th century it was spoken in the Golden Horde. Other experts are confident that the name of the world’s largest berry is of Persian origin and literally means “donkey cucumber.”

The birthplace of watermelons is considered South Africa, and it is actively grown in countries such as:

Frost-resistant varieties of uncovered grapes for the Moscow region

Scientists never tire of arguing about what a watermelon actually is. Some believe that it is a pumpkin with the characteristics of a berry, while others consider the green fruit to be a fruit. Currently, more than 1,300 types of watermelons are known. The most common ones include:

• Carolina Cross;
• "Russian size";
• Astrakhan;
• Kamyshinsky;
• Kherson

This unusual striped pumpkin prefers dry areas and can grow to enormous sizes. There are even competitions in the world between gardeners who try to grow a watermelon as large and heavy as possible. Currently, the palm and a mark in the Guinness Book of Records with the honorary “title” of the owner of the largest watermelon is held by an American farmer, a big fan of this berry from Tennessee, Chris Kent.

The man managed to grow a 158-kilogram melon representative in his field. It is noteworthy that this is not the first time that the farmer has come under the scrutiny of record lovers.

Silver among the leaders for the largest watermelon in the world, which weighed 122 kilograms, went to the owners of the Hope Farm Store, the Bright family. They managed to get into the book of records in 2009. It is noteworthy that these residents of the States also amazed the world not for the first time with their ability to grow very large vegetables and fruits.

Third place and a well-deserved bronze belongs to a US resident who, in 1990 of the last century, raised a giant in his field, also in Tennessee, that weighed 118 kg. The variety that produced the record-breaking watermelon was called “Carolina Cross.”

The giant from Louisiana is in fourth place in the Guinness Book of Records. The striped guest of American fields managed to reach a mass of almost 115 kg in its mature form. Farmers from the Sistrenkov dynasty set a kind of record.

How to grow the Mara de Bois strawberry variety

In fifth place among the record holders is the Japanese Akinori Takomitsu. The man grew this melon crop all his life and even came up with a way to grow especially large specimens from an ordinary berry weighing 15-20 kg. His idea was a success, and he even put the production of giants on stream. Giant watermelons from the fields of Tacomitsu are in great demand in their homeland and are quickly snapped up by restaurants and other exotic lovers.

European records for growing green striped giants, compared to the Americans, are very modest. For a long time, the heaviest representative of watermelons from Europe was a 64-kilogram berry. In Russia, this summer, juicy and appetizing berry does not exceed a weight of 60 kilograms, and amateur melon growers have still not exceeded the 15 kilogram mark.

However, experts say that the large size of a watermelon does not always indicate its sweetness and rich, pleasant taste. Quite often especially major representatives The pumpkin family is not always pleasant to the taste.

It is not surprising that this melon crop is very popular in more than 97 countries around the world. Watermelon is very good for health and has some unique properties. The pulp of the berry contains up to 13% glucose, fructose and sucrose.

Berry is not only blueberries, cranberries or lingonberries. Exist interesting views, which cannot immediately be correlated with a specific group.

Scientists have identified the characteristics by which a berry is identified: a dense peel, juicy interior and the presence of seeds. From school curriculum It is known that the largest berry is watermelon. This is the first fruit in the ranking.

So, let's look at the 10 largest berries. The top is drawn downwards.

Watermelon belongs to the pumpkin family. South Africa is considered its homeland. The fruit contains many seeds and is juicy. The shape, color and size depend on the variety.

The largest watermelon is grown in America. Weight was 90 kilograms. This is a world record. In 2009, a farmer from Russia introduced a 61 kg watermelon of the “Russian size” variety. This mass is a record in Europe.

The following countries are leaders in growing watermelons:

• China;
• Türkiye;
• Iran;
• Egypt;
• Russia;
• Uzbekistan.

Watermelons are used in cooking and medicine. Berry supplies human body iron, removes excess liquid, speeds up metabolism and reduces weight.

Pumpkin is second in size after watermelon. The largest berry was grown in Belgium by Matthias Willemans. The weight of the pumpkin was 1190.5 kg. But this is an exception and the result of efforts made to create favorable conditions. Standard parameters for large fruits are 50-70 kg.

Pumpkin is used in the food industry and as livestock feed. Can be stored for up to 1 year. In medicine, the seeds are used, which are slightly dried before use.

Melon is a melon crop belonging to the cucumber genus. Homeland - Malaya and middle Asia. From the moment of planting to ripening, 2-6 months pass. The fruit has the appearance of a pumpkin (spherical or cylindrical). The color is yellow, green, brown or white, depending on the variety.

The average fruit size is 1.5-4 kg. Melon is used in food in its raw form. It can also be dried, dried and processed into jam, honey or candied fruits.

The largest melon ripened in the USA in 1985. Weight was 118 kg and 75 cm in length.

Zucchini is also a berry, a type of pumpkin. The fruits have an elongated shape. The pulp is tender with the presence of seeds. Due to its calorie content of 20 kcal and fiber, it is used in dietetics for weight adjustment.

The world record for size was broken by a 65 kg zucchini from the UK in 2008.

Pineapple is a perennial plant 1 meter high. The fruit was discovered by Columbus in 1493 in Central America. Pineapple does not contain seeds, but is an inflorescence of small berries. Weight reaches 15 kg.

Leading pineapple growing countries:

• Thailand;
• Philippines.

Pineapple is valued as a nutritious food. Normalizes digestion, accelerates fat burning and saturates the body with vitamins B, A and PP. Moreover, it contains 86% water, the rest is sucrose.

The tomato belongs to the Solanaceae family. Popularly recognized as a vegetable. And from the point of view of botanical scientists, it is a berry that meets all 3 characteristics. The fruits are juicy, round to cylindrical in shape. Homeland - South America. In cooking it is used raw, baked, dried and canned.

Tomatoes are classified according to their weight:

• small, up to 50 grams;
• medium, from 51 to 100 grams;
• large, over 100 grams.

The largest tomato was grown by Gordon Graham in 1986. The weight was 3.51 kg, and the bush itself reached a height of 16 meters.

Eggplant is a herbaceous plant of the Nightshade genus. In culinary terminology it sounds like a vegetable, and in scientific terminology it sounds like a berry. The homeland is considered to be India, South Asia and the Middle East. To grow plants, they avoid temperature fluctuations and maintain constant humidity.

Due to the presence of potassium, eggplants are beneficial for people with cardiovascular diseases. Requires heat treatment before use.

A resident of Kuban grew the largest fruit in the world. Weight 1,690 kg. Previously, the position was occupied by eggplant grown in China with a weight of 1.5 kg.

Cucumber belongs to the Cucurbitaceae family. The fruit contains many seeds, is juicy with a dense shell. Due to these characteristics, it is classified as a berry. 97% consists of water. An average cucumber weighs 100 grams. The first mention of the berry appeared 6 thousand years ago in India, where it grew under natural conditions.

It is used as a food product, as well as for medicinal and cosmetic purposes. Valued as a diuretic and choleretic agent.

The largest cucumber was grown by a British gardener. The length was 91.7 cm.

Pomegranate is a perennial plant of the Derbennikov family. It is not demanding in terms of care. In Transcaucasia it is distributed as a wild species. The diameter of a standard fruit is up to 18 cm and the number of seeds is up to 700 pieces. The largest pomegranate was grown in China, which is listed in the Guinness Book of Records, with a diameter of 48.7 cm.

Berry juice is used for anemia and digestive disorders. Rich in amino acids and vitamins A, C, PP, etc. Calorie content 70 kcal per 100 grams.

The plant is a tree-like vine. Kiwi comes from China. In common parlance, the second name is “Chinese gooseberry”. The weight of an average fruit is 75 grams, large ones - 100 grams or more. It is distinguished by juicy green pulp with black seeds. The fruit is picked unripe and stored for up to 1 year. Kiwi is a record holder for vitamin C content. It also contains iodine. Used in cosmetology as a peeling and skin moisturizer.

The subtropical climate is favorable for growing berries. Distributed in Italy, Chile, Greece and New Zealand. In Crimea, agronomists grow kiwi the size of a cut glass and weighing up to 200 grams.

If we were to compile the rating further, the next positions would be occupied by figs and feijoa. Unexpected Products have accepted the status of a berry, despite the fact that humanity considers them a fruit or vegetable. But there is one similarity between them - high biological value for the functioning of the human body.

Original taken from nathoncharova in The largest watermelon in the world

For a long time There was a discussion between melon growers from different countries. Watermelon - what is it, a berry, but a very large one, or does it still belong to the pumpkin family? They never came to a consensus, but it turned out that among melon farmers there are fans of setting a world record. Every year, the most adventurous of them try to grow the largest watermelon in the world. Competitions recent years showed that residents of the United States of America cope most successfully with growing giant watermelons. It is in that area that record holders appear, who are even included in the Guinness Book of Records.

Azerbaijani giant

Melon growers from Azerbaijan managed to grow a watermelon weighing 119 kg, although the seeds from which such a miracle turned out were brought from the USA. This variety is called Carolina Cross. This is a special variety of heavy and large watermelons of an oblong shape with light green stripes. This watermelon needs about 100 days to fully ripen. But it is unlikely that the secret of such enormous weight lies only in certain seeds. Azerbaijani melon growers keep secret the real reason and the secrets they used in the growing process.

Japanese record holders

Japanese melon grower Akinori Takomitsu has turned the cultivation of giant watermelons into a fairly profitable business. Restaurants and cafes are happy to buy up such fruits, as they are not only large, but also sweet and juicy. The largest watermelon in the world, which this Japanese managed to grow, weighs 111 kg. True, he does not rely on Mother Nature, but uses the latest technical and agricultural inventions in his fields.

State of Louisiana, USA

The Sistrunk family living in American state Louisiana, also participates in the unspoken competition of farmers. And they occupy one of the highest places in this ranking. The largest watermelon in the world, which these farmers grew, weighed just over 114 kilograms. This was in 2008, but the family is not going to stop at this record and continues persistent attempts to surpass their own record.

The variety of watermelon they cultivate on their farm is an oblong watermelon with juicy and sweet flesh. According to these Americans, in order to grow such a giant, you need to leave only one fruit on the bush, which requires special care every day. They do not hide the fact that the watermelon needs to be turned on different sides to the sunlight every day so that the fruit ripens evenly and does not become saturated with excess moisture.

Tennessee, USA

Another representative of American farming dynasties, Bill Carson grew a watermelon weighing 118 kilograms in his field. This record was recorded in 1990 of the last century. On his melon patch, he used only natural fertilizers that do not harm the human body, so this achievement is especially valuable. Don't think that such giant berries grow on their own. To achieve a high result, the farmer practically spends the day and night in his field, protecting the contender for the record from natural negative influences, and from wild animals, and sometimes from people.

State of Arkansas, USA

The Bright family, which has been growing melons since 1979, became a Guinness Book of Records record holder. Despite the fact that farmers devoted almost their entire lives to this business, they managed to set a record and grow the largest watermelon in the world only in 2005. The variety that brought them worldwide fame is called Carolina Cross. But the Brights managed to beat their Azerbaijani colleagues by 3 kilograms. Watermelon weight - 122 kg. It took 147 days for this record holder to fully mature. At the annual farmers' fair, this record was officially recorded, and the family received a special diploma, which they proudly show to all visitors to their restaurant.

The berry, which surprised everyone, became the center of attention, and every visitor to the fair considered it his duty to take a photo as a souvenir. To imagine the full power of this watermelon, it is worth noting that its weight is equal to the weight of two adult women. Of course, it is impossible to eat such a watermelon on your own, even if the family is very large. The Brights arranged a real holiday for parishioners of the local church, and residents of almost the entire town gathered to enjoy watermelon. Everyone who managed to try this watermelon noted its extraordinary sweetness, which is not typical for fruits of this size.

The largest watermelon in the world

Every new record that farmers set in all corners of our planet haunted Tennessee farmer Chris Kent. In 2013, he managed to surpass all previous achievements and grow a watermelon that amazed all gardeners. The weight of his brainchild is almost 159 kilograms and so far no one has managed to surpass this achievement. The most interesting thing is that Chris is not a professional farmer and does not belong to famous American farming dynasties. He is an ordinary accountant, and growing melons is just his favorite pastime.

The Great Pumpkin Commonwealth, which recorded the record at the weigh-in, awarded the amateur farmer a diploma and officially declared this berry the largest in the world. Before the start of the fair, Chris was noticeably nervous - there was a rumor that another watermelon was to be brought to this fair, which could compete with his record holder. Luckily for Chris, these were just rumors. In addition to moral satisfaction, this farmer received the opportunity to replenish his budget. The seeds that were collected from this fruit sold for a very high price ($40 for a small bag). And if you consider that there are no less than one and a half thousand seeds in a watermelon, then the income was very impressive.

After this exhibition, many gardeners-farmers practically lost sleep and until today trying to beat this result. It turns out that there are a lot of gambling people among farmers, but so far none of them have managed to improve Chris’s result.