The exotic anguria He knows a little Ukrainian vegetable growers. Prickly fruits of a tropical plant have not only a pleasant taste, but also healing properties. In Ukraine, exotic is called Antilles either horned cucumber. How to grow a miracle culture on her site, what conditions she prefers and what kind of care she needs. All this you will learn further from our article.
Description
All people know about cucumbers South and Central America. This continent is home to amazing fruits. With the help of birds, a marvelous annual spread to the Indian and Far Eastern tropics. And in temperate climates, it is cultivated as a vegetable and decorative culture.
Did you know? The vernacular name of Anguria causes resentment among nerds. In their opinion, the adverb "Antilles cucumber" is a warped version of the literal translation of the Latin expression "Cucúmis angúria", which means "watermelon cucumber".
Anguria is a vine-like plant from the Pumpkin family with creeping lashes, numerous tendrils, figure foliage and yellow flowers. A characteristic sign of this culture are three-meter pubescent stems, carved leaves similar to watermelon and cylindrical small fruits. Each of them is no longer than 8 cm and weighs about 50 g. The green, elastic skin of vegetables is thickly covered with soft thorns. When ripe, cucumbers are poured in yellow-orange tones. Their pulp contains many large seeds.
The pumpkin family also includes: zucchini, lagenaria, tladiant, squash, luffa, zucchini, and of course pumpkin.
The most valuable fruit of Anguria is considered to be immature. According to scientists, its biological ripeness occurs 70 days after the germination of the grains. To the best of aging, the pulp of cucumbers acquires a sugary unpleasant taste and becomes inedible. Greenish fruits are suitable for consumption in raw form, as well as they are pickled and salted.
Biological features
The specific characteristics of the plant are intensive growth and abundant yield. For 2 months on shaggy vines, between large figured leaves ripen tasty fruits. With proper care from one bush they can be collected about two hundred.
Did you know? All the details of the cultivation of Anguria first mastered the tribal Indians. Today, large plantations of this plant can be seen in the UK, the United States of America, New Zealand.
The period of fruiting in this species of pumpkin begins in July and lasts until December. Succulent plants can destroy only premature frosts.
For the full development of the culture need warmth, nutrient soil and moderate moisture. The cucumber will feel comfortable at a temperature of from 20 ° C to 27 ° C, but prolonged cold and slight frosts have a detrimental effect on the vines. Already at 10 ° C, anguria ceases to develop, and with the onset of warm and sunny days it starts to grow again. 
Bushes develop very quickly. Caring for them is very similar to ordinary cucumbers.
Beneficial features
The beneficial effects of the prickly fruits of anguriya on the human body are due to the rich chemical composition of the plant. First, it contains in large quantities the necessary enzymes, monosaccharides, organic acids. Also vegetables are rich in copper, zinc, iodine, iron, potassium, phosphorus, tocopherol, retinol, riboflavin, phylloquinone, biotin.
Important! Ideal predecessors for cucumbers are legumes, table root vegetables, early cabbage and greens.
In the complex, the components of anguria have a wound healing and tonic effect on a person. Also, traditional medicine recommends them for the treatment of diseases of the cardiovascular system, the digestive tract. Herbalists say that the flesh of horned cucumbers literally just "sticks" various kinds of damage on the body. In addition, the product helps to control weight and is recommended for diet. 
Growing conditions
Growing watermelon cucumbers is a lot like melons. Watermelons and ordinary cucumbers need a lot of light, light substrates, good precursors and good care.
The plant reacts very painfully to the shadow. Even neighboring tall cultures can throw it away. Therefore, when planning the location of plants in a garden, one should take into account the peculiarities of light-loving anguria. Corn and dill is better to plant on the north side of the exotic. They will protect it from winds and drafts.
Did you know? Depending on the climatic conditions in which anguria grows, the color of its skin changes. The same cultivar grown in different latitudes may differ significantly in its appearance.
Ideally, the site set aside for the cultivation of anguri should be located on a small elevation where rainwater and cold air never gather. 
For exotic culture, black earth or sandy sandy soil with neutral acidity is needed. If there is no such thing in your garden, you will need to adjust the plot by adding peaty sand mixture. And for an acidic environment, the famous fuzzy will not be a waste. Depending on the degree of oxidation per square meter, you will need to deposit from 150 to 300 g of the substance.
Transplanting
In conditions of temperate climatic latitudes, growing Angurian Syria from seeds is popular. They are recommended to be sown in the first decade of April. For this, gardening professionals advise the use of peat tablets, which does not require additional sowing of seedlings and allows the roots to remain unharmed. Grains deepen by 1 cm and covered with a plastic cup on top to create a greenhouse effect. Shoots will appear in a week. 
Important! In order not to stretch the frail stems of anguria and not suffer from a lack of sunlight, it is recommended to install additional fluorescent lamps above the seedlings. The reflective screen will not hurt either.
When on the stalks of cucumbers seem real 2-4 leaves, you can start planting seedlings. Before on the prepared site make shallow holes. At the bottom, be sure to pour in the humus-ash mixture and thoroughly water the pits with a weak solution of potassium permanganate.
This is done in order to disinfect the soil from diseases and pests of its predecessors.
If you are planning a mass planting of horned cucumbers, retreat from nearby plants about half a meter. Remember that the plant needs space for weaving. 
Experienced owners recommend installing a special trellis immediately when planting seedlings. It is useful when the bushes reach 20 cm in height. Then on the vines grow a mustache, which should be sent in the right direction.
After the support is installed, carefully remove the earthen room with the stalk of anguria from the previous container, plant it in the watered soil. At the edges of the hole, it is desirable to make a small groove so that it collects excess water.
Care
Antilles cucumbers in the technology of cultivation and care are not much different from normal. They are also important competent and timely watering, fertilizing and preventive measures against typical pumpkin crops diseases. Consider everything in order.
Important! In order to increase the yield of anguria, experts advise in the neighborhood to sow umbrella plants that will provide cross-pollination. Coriander, parsley and dill are very suitable for this role.
Watering
Before you take up a bucket of water, remember that cucumber is very poorly tolerate excessive moisture, but love the heat. High temperature and moisture in the soil is a comfortable environment for the development of fungal and bacterial infections. In order not to expose the plant to unnecessary risks of infection, do not overdo it with watering. 
An exotic culture needs moisture, but the earthy clod around the trunk should never be swamped. If the weather is rainy, it is better to wait a little with watering. But in the hot period every evening, pour a small amount of liquid under the plant.
We advise you to learn more about the variety of exotic cucumbers: cucumber-lemon, kivano, melotriya and momordika.
Water for irrigation must be warm and defended. Re-hydration is needed when the ground under the plants dries out, but does not dry out before cracking.
Top dressing
Anguria will be grateful to the owners for foliar feeding with mineral complex substances. As part of the preparations must be nitrogen, potassium and phosphorus. The working solution must be diluted in a concentration of 25%.
Important! In order for the fruits of Anguria to grow faster, there were many of them, pinch the top from the central creeper.
But this is only an additional measure in the care of culture. In order to get a high-quality and abundant harvest, you need regular fertilizer plants. Experts advise to alternate organic and mineral substances. At the beginning of the development of bushes, they will need to actively increase biomass, so it will be appropriate to water the infusion of mullein (1:10) or bird droppings (1:25). Of the mineral substances, Nitrophoska, Mortar, and Kemira Universal are perfect.
Fertilizer preferably twice a month after watering with warm water.
Diseases and pests
The plant is highly resistant to common harmful insects and pathogens. Very rarely, with improper care, putrid infections, powdery mildew, white and root rot, anthracnose are possible. 
If this happens on your garden bed, immediately remove the damaged areas and treat the vines with any fungicide. Well proved "Fundazol", "Maxim", "Skor".
For the prevention of agronomists advised to conduct pre-sowing seed disinfection. Crop rotation, timely cleaning of the beds from weeds, loosening the soil and optimal humidity are also very important.
Important! When using pesticides, it is important to take into account the period of disintegration of the active substances of preparations. Harvesting up to this point is contraindicated.
Spider mites, melons and aphids and other sucking parasites can be affected on angurias. Their presence is easy to guess by the yellow dead spots on the foliage of the culture. In this case, insecticidal drugs can not do. Angravertin, Aktara, Aktellik, Fitoverm, Phosbecid can save Anguria.
Yield
In the conditions of the Ukrainian climatic latitudes, it is quite possible to gather about a hundred cucumbers from one bush per season. This is the usual cultivation without additional tricks. Stimulate the growth of lateral shoots, which are characterized by active fruiting, can be done by pinching the upper part of the trunk.
Some vegetable growers prefer varieties that are large.
The best time for harvesting is morning. Then the vegetables are not flabby and can maintain their elasticity for several months.
Exotic culture will surely delight you with its unusual and tasty, nutritious fruits. 
