Have you ever seen a square watermelon? You know how it is? And what does it cost? About three years ago they became fashionable in Japan, where more than 500 euros have been paid for one.
But what does a square watermelon look like? Can be done? We explain everything below.
The origin and history of the square watermelon
Before talking about the process to obtain a square watermelon, you should know what the history and origin of these is.
To do this, we have to go back several years. In fact, although we have mentioned 2020 as a key date, this was when it became fashionable and practically the entire world knew about this type of watermelon, but it had already been on the market long before.
Really the reason why they were created was because they needed it to have a form that was easy to transport and in large quantities. If you have bought several watermelons, you will know that, due to their round shape, it is often almost impossible to store them well in the refrigerator, and you always have to juggle to fit everything.
Well, that was what Tomoyoki Ono thought, who had the idea of giving them the square shape that we are talking about today.
And how did the farmers do it? Easy, they placed the watermelon that was growing in a square metal and glass container. As we have learned, they only had to spend between three and four days for the shape to adapt and then they already had this product.
And that you know that it became, and still is, a luxury product, coming to pay between 300 and 500 euros for a square watermelon.
One of the stores in Japan that sells this product is Sembikiya. In Spain it is much more difficult to find, apart from the fact that its price can skyrocket even more.
But fortunately, you could 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 making square watermelons come out is none other than putting them in a container when they are growing so that they acquire this shape. But what care do they need? Is it important to keep an eye on them? How long are they left in the container?
Whether you have a small garden plot and decide to plant seeds, or you’re a farmer and want to get a little more money for those original watermelons, here are the steps you should take.
Have the basics
By basic elements we are referring to, first, to the seeds. It is important to have them since, otherwise, we will not have anything to plant.
There are some 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 “moulding”, as well as those that take less time to be in the bush.
But if you are patient and allow 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 could really give it any shape you want. Even a diamond.
The purpose of the box is for the watermelon to grow inside and take on the shape. At first they were made square 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 just any container is worth it. It is important that it allows light and air to pass through so that it is well ventilated and does not rot.
Depending on the size that the watermelons can reach, you will have to have a larger or smaller container (regardless of whether when you put the watermelon it covers everything or not).
For example, imagine that you have planted 8 kilos watermelon seeds (to put a figure) and you place the box so that it has that shape. But it is a box for watermelons of 6 kilos. 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 have told you before that, according to what we have 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 that it grows more on one side than on the other, and then it loses shape.
For this reason, you should always get a box that is slightly smaller, but not much, because when you remove it for the watermelons to finish cooking, they may lose the shape you have been wanting them to have for a long time.
The best are glass and acrylic boxes (and in case you don’t know, you can find those molds for square watermelons on the Internet).
In case you can’t find them, you can always make 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 have planted the seeds and they have begun to germinate, grow, flourish and now you find yourself with mini watermelons growing in your garden. Well done!
Now is the time to put them in the box. Yes indeed, choose only those that do not have damage, stains or holes caused by an insect. In this way you will get it to grow evenly without having any damage.
Experts recommend that, when placing it, you have to allow it to move, at least on one side. Besides, you have to fill it with earth to crush the watermelon well and make it grow. Although you can also arm yourself with patience and see that it grows little by little and observing how it fills the box.
What you should never do is separate the stem from the fruit, because then it will stop growing. That’s why those boxes must have a hole through which the stem passes and will not break.
square watermelon care
Do you know what are the care of watermelon? Well, those are the same ones that you should give except for one detail: make sure that the irrigation water does not fall into the box because, since the watermelon is enclosed in it, if water enters it, it can cause humidity and mold and spoil the fruit you are trying to harvest.
You just have to wait until it is ready to harvest to remove the box, or remove it a day or two before, and put it on the table.
Have you ever eaten a square watermelon?
