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The AFCD Organic Watermelon Festival recommends three types of watermelon farmers teach the road "three types of picking melons", which are sweet and juicy

2022-06-29T06:51:14.436Z


The Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department holds the Hong Kong Organic Watermelon Festival every July. This year, it continues to promote three types of locally grown organic watermelons, including "Seedless 3F-2728", "Diana" and "Super Sweet Black Beauty 168".


The Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department holds the Hong Kong Organic Watermelon Festival every July. This year, it continues to promote three types of locally grown organic watermelons, including "Seedless 3F-2728", "Diana" and "Super Sweet Black Beauty 168", catering to favorites Citizens with different tastes.

The Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department said that due to the rain in April and May this year, the watermelons planted will be thinner and less sweet. The harvest is expected to decrease by 10% to 20% compared with last year. Fortunately, there has been sunshine recently. It’s so big and so fast”, but still reminds the public to buy quickly.


Some farmers "Jiaolu" citizens choose "three methods" for watermelons, first pat the watermelon body to confirm the water content, and then check whether the navel is elastic, and the sweetness can be measured by the non-destructive sugar level introduced by the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department.

The farmer even claimed to have measured a "Diana" watermelon, and the sweetness was as high as 15. "It's as sweet as a cup of Coke."


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Wang Minwei, Agriculture Director (Horticulture) of the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department introduced the three watermelons introduced this year. All three are small in size and suitable for small and medium-sized households in Hong Kong. Among them, "Seedless 3F-2728" was introduced from Taiwan by the Department last year, with light green skin. Red meat, which has a sweetness level of about 10.

Wang said that the seedless watermelon is not transformed by mechanical reasons, but through some procedures to make the male flower infertile. When planting, the male flower of the seedless watermelon should be placed together with the female flower of the seedless watermelon to be pollinated to grow into a seedless watermelon.

She said that although seedless watermelons are very popular among the public, they are difficult to grow. In the past year, after being recommended by the department, several farmers have tried planting them.

"Super Sweet Black Beauty 168" is the sweetest "Seedless 3F-2728" Seedless

As for "Diana" and "Super Sweet Black Beauty 168", which have been recommended by the department and are very popular, Wang said that these two types of melons are easy to grow and have stable harvests, and they are not easy to "explode" melons, so they are very popular with farmers.

"Diana" has yellow and striped skin, red meat inside, with a sweetness of about 11, high yield and stable harvest; "Super Sweet Black Beauty 168" has a darker skin, red meat with seeds, and its sweetness can be as high as 12 to 13.

She said that if citizens like sweet, they can choose Black Beauty; if they like sweet, they can choose Diana; if they like seedless, they can choose seedless watermelon.

Wang Xu said that the growth of watermelon is closely related to sunlight. Last year, there was more sunshine from April to May, and the harvest was generally better. This year, it rained, so the volume may be smaller. Fortunately, the sun has been shining recently. The harvest is expected to be one or two percent less than last year, and the public is advised to purchase as soon as possible.

Has watermelon sweetness up to 15 sweeter than cola

However, Peng Yuting, the farm manager of the Organic Farm of the Youth Association, said that this year's harvest was better than last year's. Due to the severe pest infestation last year, although there was rain from April to May this year, I was worried that I would not be able to catch up with the Watermelon Festival. Fortunately, it was sunny recently and the harvest was in time.

She said that the farm will release about 300 organic watermelons, which are expected to be priced at 55 yuan a pound. The varieties include Black Beauty and Diana, which are recommended by the department. She said that the former is known to many people, while the latter is relatively new, but has high sweetness. There is one sweeter than Coke, the sweetness of Coke is about 13, and the sweetness of watermelon is 15." She also pointed out that about 70% of the harvest will be sold at the Watermelon Festival, and the publicity has received enthusiastic response. "Received 20, 30 slips."

Peng Yuting said that this year's harvest was better than last year, because last year's insects were seriously infested.

(Photo by Liao Yanxiong)

When you tap the watermelon, there is a "pop" sound, which means the water is sufficient.

As for how citizens should choose watermelons?

Mr. Zeng, the farmer of Peng and the farm, taught everyone the "three tricks for picking melons". First, you should pat the melon body. If you hear a crisp rebounding "flapping" sound, it means that the water is sufficient; secondly, you should check whether the position of the melon's navel is elastic.

As for the sweetness, it cannot be seen with the naked eye, it depends on the sweetness meter of the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department.

Wang Minwei added that the department promotes the grading system of agricultural products, and watermelons are classified according to the sugar content. Earlier, a non-destructive sugar content meter was introduced. Using optical instruments, the sugar content of Baileys can be obtained by measuring multiple points before and after. , and can measure the melon and strawberry. After the sweetness is obtained, the staff will stick a label on the melon for identification.

Order local organic watermelons with the "Local Fish & Vegetables Direct" app

The Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department invites regular organic farming markets throughout Hong Kong to participate in the event. This year, it will be held at Tai Po Farming Market from July 1 to 3. At that time, farmers will sell their crops at the farming market, and there will be game booths to choose the winner of watermelon. The public will receive a gift.

The public can also order directly from the Vegetable Marketing Office through the "Local Fish and Vegetables Direct Delivery" mobile app; or contact certified organic farmers who grow organic watermelons through the website of the Hong Kong Organic Resource Centre.

Jian Nongpu Hydroponic Park has started mass production of 1 ton per month of Japanese watermelons and strawberries. The Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department will introduce seedless watermelons after 8 years. "Beauty 168" first appeared on the mobile app to order AFCD and CUHK rehabilitated a local variety of rice with vanilla incense "Hua Yaozai" in July, AFCD, Zhongying City, Baijia Mountain Road, caught 2 wild boars, and caught 76 since last November Humane destruction of wild boars

Source: hk1

All news articles on 2022-06-29

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