Growing Watermelon

Watermelon, botanically known as Citrullus lanatus is a tender, warm-season fruit of the Cucurbitaceae family. A thirst quencher, watermelon nutrition is very high, especially in terms of its height water, vitamin A and C content. An easy vine to grow, with the main requirement of warm temperatures and wide spaces, watermelon can be an interesting proposition for all those who love to grow their own fruits and vegetables.

Tips to Grow Watermelons

Although their origination is speculated upon, evidence suggests that it was in cultivation as early as the second millennium BC in the Nile Valley. This fruit is a summer fruit found growing in abundance world over in agreeable climates. Watermelon can be grown in vegetable beds or in pots very successfully.

There are plenty watermelon varieties one can grow; seed and seedless hybrids, small-sized fruit whose vines occupy less space, round to oval shaped ones, even large competitive ones, with some over 250 pounds in weight. A normal sized watermelon will usually weigh less than 30 pounds, while baby or bush varieties would weigh less than ten. Watermelon flesh could come in an array of colors like red, pink, orange, yellow or white with the rind or skin color displaying varied patterns. Then there are the long time growing ones (prefer longer warmer temperatures) and the fast maturing ones (the seedlings will do well in cooler conditions too).

Planting watermelon plants in pots will make it easy to access the melon, however, experts recommend pots are large depth and width wise. For container gardening, choose small-sized varieties. Watermelon vines are grown from seeds, sow seeds at a depth of four times the seed width. If one is growing these fruits in containers, take large ones, and sow seeds in it. This way, one will not have to move the seedling upon germination. Once the seeds reaches a six leaf stage, it is ready for transplantation. Many gardener prefer the use of deep seed trays for germinating seeds.

The soil should be well tilled, loose, and well draining. As the vine roots penetrate, deep and shallow they need loose soil to grow freely. Add plenty of organic compost to the soil. A pH of 6.5 to 7.0 is generally preferred. Watermelon needs full sun to grow. Vegetable beds that have been used for growing eggplants, tomatoes and potatoes should be avoided as these are root knot nematodes prone. One vine should be given a spread of two square meters, so space them accordingly.

Water the vines well, soil should be moist at all times. Watermelons are big on water needs. However, don't overdo it. Pinch tips to encourage lateral branching. Each vine will bears male and female flowers separately, with more males than females. Flowers that do not get pollinated result in small fruits. Fertilize regularly as soon as flowers begin to appear, start with a nitrogen based one, then switch over to a high phosphorous and potassium fertilizer.

Caterpillars, aphids and spider mites are main problem with watermelons. One needs to physically get rid of them. Avoid using too must pesticides on your plants. If the fruits appear cracked, that means it hasn't received adequate water. Vertical plantation of the vine is an excellent option for those with limited space or for those who do not want invest space for long. Make sure that the watermelon vine is secured well on strong trellis.

Depending upon the varieties, watermelons can take up to three to four months to ripe. Hence, planting to harvesting should be done between spring to summer. When the vines begin to shrivel naturally and the watermelon sounds hollow when tapped upon, it is time to harvest and enjoy the refreshing taste.