In Kenya, watermelon farming is carried out in different places. To grow watermelons, you need to select watermelon seeds that are quality, certified, and free from diseases and pests. There are several varieties grown in Kenya, but which one is best? This post illustrates the best watermelon varieties in Kenya.
The following are the 11 best spinach varieties to grow in Kenya:
1. Sukari F1
Sukari F1 watermelon is the most popular in Kenya. Most farmers favor it because it matures faster. It is always ready for harvesting in about 80 days. It is pest-resistant and has a longer shelf life due to its tough skin. It has striped red-and-green meat and is excellent.
It can produce between 25 and 30 tonnes and weighing up to 8 kilograms.
2. Zuri F1
It is one of the greatest varieties, and it may reach a maximum weight of 12 kilograms and have a solid, dark green rind. The fact that it is resistant to some Fusarium wilt stains is one of the reasons why it is so popular.
3. Sweet Rose F1
This type has an oval shape, the flesh is a dark crimson color, and it has a good shelf life. Additionally, it has a good flavor. It takes about 80 to 90 days to attain full maturity, during which it weighs between 10 and 12 kg.
4. Crimson Sweet Variety
This variety’s flesh is firm, crispy, and deep red, with a sweet taste of watermelons. It has the potential to produce 30 tons per acre. A fruit of this variety weighs between 8 and 10 kg. These fruits have green stripes on the sides of the light and dark shades.
It is resistant to anthracite and fusarium, takes 85 days to mature, and is ready for harvesting.
5. Charleston Grey Variety
It is a cylindrical-shaped variety and has red flesh. It is one of the largest fruit sizes, averaging 9 kg, and matures within 80 to 85 days. This variety yields 13,000 fruits per acre if it is well-tilled and fertilized.
It can stand up to drought and is best for a fresh market because it can last for a long time in transit.
6. Sugar Baby Variety
It is the most well-known variety and can be found in most markets. It is beautiful and juicy, which is why it is so well-known. It has a dark outer shell, is dark green, and is spherical-shaped. This variety has red flesh inside and many seeds.
After about two and a half months, the fruits are ready to harvest. It can give yields of about 30 tons per acre, with each fruit weighing 4 kg.
7. Early Scarlet F1 Variety
It has a deep red flesh and a dark green striped outer rind. It matures within 85 days, and the fruit weighs up to 12 kg. An acre of watermelons can yield up to 60 tons.
8. Asali F1
It is a hybrid variety that is in high demand. Their fruits are oblong-shaped and green, with stripes of a darker shade of green along the sides. It matures early, within 85 days, and produces 30 to 40 tonnes of watermelons per acre.
This variety is resistant to fusarium and anthracite disease; the fruit weighs 10 to 12 kg.
9. Andaman Variety
Andaman is a variety that has a green rind with no stripes. It is suitable when grown in a greenhouse under irrigation. It has vigorous vines, weighs 8 kg, and can yield 30 tons per acre if well managed.
It matures after 80 days of planting, and its flesh is super red and sweet.
10. Sweet Melon Galia F1
It is a unique variety as it has distinctive green flesh and tastes sweet. The rinds are brown and yellow with no definite pattern.
It takes a shorter time to mature, 65 to 90 days, and gives yields of 25 tons of watermelons per acre. Also, it is the smallest variety, weighing from one to two kilos.
11. Golden Midget Variety
It is among the best watermelon varieties, weighing 1 to 1.5 kg. Besides, it has a golden-yellow rind with pink flesh. It has a shorter maturity period of 70 days.
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