Monday, April 7, 2025
On Thursday, April 3rd, planting of small yellow watermelons, "Sunflower Watermelons," began at the farm of Takada Co., Ltd. (CEO: Takada Shunki)!
Sunwatermelon planting has begun!
Pickled in water
Before planting, the seedlings' roots and leaves are soaked in water (water that has had a several-fold diluted herbicide added) to ensure that they are sufficiently moistened.
Transporting and setting up seedlings
Planting
Inside the 100m greenhouse, planting holes are dug in the mulch at 1m intervals and the seedlings are carefully planted in the holes, being careful not to disturb the root balls, and then firmly covered with soil.
Fertilizer spreading work
In another greenhouse, fertilizer is being spread on the soil and it is being tilled, and preparations for the next planting are steadily underway.
A talk by Akihiko Takada
"This year, three training farm houses (50m houses) have been added to the nine 100m houses. Each 100m house has about 200 sunflower watermelon seedlings. Each seedling produces about 10 fruits, so we expect to harvest about 20,000 sunflower watermelons in total.
After planting, unnecessary buds and branches are removed and pruned to ensure good fruit production.
When there are many fruits, the nutrients are dispersed, so the stems that need more nutrients are left and the focus is on growing healthy fruits. This pruning work is important because it has a big impact on the yield.
When the bulbs appear one month after planting, a fruit stick is set up to check the number of bulbs.
Normally, the crop is ready for harvest two months after planting, but due to the low temperatures this year, there is likely to be a delay of about a week in the shipping date.
If all goes well, we will be able to harvest around June 10th this year," Takada Akimitsu explained politely.
This year, seven farmers at the Kitaryu Sunflower and Watermelon Producers Association will be planting about 300 ares of land, with shipments scheduled from early June to mid-September.
A happy gathering of friends
A group of "funny friends" came together at the command of Takada Akihiko.
The planting work is carried out carefully, seriously and with enjoyment.
In a greenhouse filled with the bright smiles and fun conversations of these delightful friends, the sunflower and watermelon seedlings are bright, healthy, and thriving!!!
I hope it grows big and healthy and becomes a delicious, delicious watermelon!!!
The crisp texture, refreshing sweetness, and transparent lemon yellow light of the exquisite small yellow watermelon "Hokuryu Sunflower Watermelon" are filled with boundless love, gratitude, and prayers.
Drone footage
Youtube Video
More Photos
Related Articles
On Monday, April 7, 2025, the Kita Sorachi Shimbun, an internet site operated by the Kita Sorachi Shimbun Company (Fukagawa City), posted an article entitled "Praying for a good harvest this year..."
On Friday, April 4, 2025, the Hokkaido Shimbun Press (Sapporo City) ran an internet site called "Hokkaido Shimbun Digital," which features "Hokuryu Specialty Himawari..."
Thursday, April 3, 2025 On Friday, March 28, from 4:00 pm, the Hokuryu Sunflower Watermelon Producers Association held a seedling tour. Table of Contents 1...
On Tuesday, April 1, 2025 and Thursday, March 27, at Takada Akimitsu Farm, soil cultivation work in the vinyl greenhouse after snow removal work, multi-sheet work...
Friday, March 14, 2025 On Tuesday, March 11, snow removal work was carried out on the greenhouse at Takada Akimitsu Farm, part of the Hokuryu Sunflower Watermelon Producers Association.
Monday, March 10, 2025 This year, we plan to cover the annual work that goes into growing watermelons at the Hokuryu Sunflower Watermelon Producers Association until they are shipped...
Friday, February 21, 2025 On Tuesday, February 18, at the Hokuryu Town Hall Mayor's Office, the Sunflower Watermelon Producers Association's Chairman Akihiko Takada and Kosuke Sato held a press conference...
◇ Photography, editing and website management: Noboru Terauchi Writer: Ikuko Terauchi
EN 
JA 
ZH 
ID 
KO 
VI