Have you ever seen a square watermelon? Do you know how it is? And how much does that cost ? About three years ago they became fashionable in Japan, where more than 500 euros were paid for one.
But what does a square watermelon look like? Can be done? We explain everything below.
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The origin and history of the square watermelon
Before talking about the process of getting a square watermelon, you should know what is the history and origin of these.
For that, we have to go back several years. In fact, although we mentioned 2020 as a key date, that’s when it became fashionable and practically the whole world knew about this type of watermelon, but it was already on the market long before .
Really the reason why they were created because they needed them to have an easy-to-carry shape and in large quantities. If you have bought several watermelons, you will know that because of their round shape, it is often almost impossible to store them well in the refrigerator, and you always have to juggle to fit everything in.
Well, that’s what Tomoyoki Ono thought, who came up with the idea of giving them the square shape we’re talking about today.
And how did the farmers do it? Easy, they placed the growing watermelon in a square metal and glass container. As we learned, they only had to take between three and four days for the shape to adapt and then they already had this product.
And that you know that it has become, and still is, a luxury product, costing between 300 and 500 euros for a square watermelon.
One of the stores in Japan that sells this product is Sembekiya. In Spain it is much harder to find, apart from the fact that its price can still skyrocket.
But fortunately, you can also make square watermelons. Shall we explain how?
How to grow a square watermelon
Surely, if you have read the above, You will know that the secret to getting square watermelons out is none other than putting them in a container when they grow up so that they acquire this form. But what care do they need? Is it important to monitor them? How long do they stay in the container?
Whether you have a small garden and decide to plant seeds, or you’re a farmer and want to get a little extra cash for those quirky watermelons, here are the steps you need to take.
Have the basics
By basic elements to which we refer, seed first. It’s important to have some because otherwise we won’t have anything to plant.
There are certain varieties of watermelon that are more recommended for making this type of square watermelon than others. In general, those that are small or medium in size are much more susceptible to “mold”, as well as those that take less time to be in the bush.
But if you are patient and have the time, you can surely try them all.
The second essential element is a square-shaped box. Well, square, triangular, rectangular… whatever you want, because you can really shape it into anything you want. Even a diamond.
The purpose of the box is for the watermelon to grow inside and take its shape. At first they were square in shape, but now on the market, especially in Japan, you can find triangles, pyramids and even diamonds. It will depend on what you want.
Even so, not every container is worth it. It is important that it passes light and air so that it is well ventilated and does not rot.
Depending on the size that the watermelons can reach, you will need to have a larger or smaller container (it does not matter if when you put the watermelon it covers everything or not).
For example, imagine that you have planted 8 kilos of watermelon seeds (to put a number) and that you place the box so that it has this shape. But it’s a 6-kilo watermelon box. You will say, well, when he already has the form, he will surely maintain it. And you might think that if we take into account what we told you before, according to what we investigated, the boxes are left for 3-4 days. But it’s not like that. When you remove the box, if it continues to grow, it is normal for it to grow more on one side than the other, then it loses its shape.
For this reason, you should always get a can that’s a bit smaller, but not much, because when you take it out for the watermelons to finish cooking, they may lose the shape you’ve wanted them to have for a long time.
The best are glass and acrylic boxes (and in case you didn’t know, you can find these square watermelon molds on the internet).
In case you can’t find them, you can always craft them out of metal or wood as long as they have plenty of holes.
Place the box on the floor
You already have the two main elements. You planted the seeds and they started to sprout, grow, thrive and now you end up with mini watermelons growing in your garden. Well done!
Now is the time to put them in the box. This, yes, choose only those that have no insect damage, stains or holes. This way you will grow it evenly without taking any damage.
Experts recommend when placing it to allow it to move, at least to one side. Besides, it must be filled with soil to properly crush the watermelon and make it grow. Although you can also arm yourself with patience and see that it grows little by little and observe how it fills the box.
What you should never do is separate the stem from the fruit, because then it will stop growing. For that these boxes must have a hole through which the rod passes and will not break.
square watermelon care
Do you know what watermelon care is? Well, they are the same ones you have to give except for one detail: make sure that the irrigation water does not fall into the box because, since the watermelon is enclosed there, if water gets in, it can cause dampness and mold and spoil the fruit you’re trying to harvest.
Just wait until it’s ready to harvest to remove the crate, or remove it a day or two before, and set it on the table.
Have you ever eaten a square watermelon?