Citrullus - Watermelon
DESCRIPTION: C. lanatus is the botanical name of the very popular fruit, Watermelon. C. lanatus of standard size grow into long, rambling vines. There are smaller, hybrid vines, however, that only spread to a diameter of 5 or 6 feet. Watermelon vines are clothed with large leaves and light yellow flowers, which are followed by the juicy fruit. Watermelons are grown for their sweet, juicy interiors and in China, for edible seeds. They range in size from very large and heavy to moderate-size and small hybrids, developed to fit into refrigerators. The rind is hard, green and usually striped. The flesh may be pink, red, or yellow, with the slight scent of pineapples. Seedless Watermelons are available but expensive.
POTTING: Early-maturing hybrids and warmth-retaining plastic mulch make it possible for gardeners to grow Watermelons almost everywhere except Alaska and the cool Northwest. Plants should be 2 to 3 feet apart. Watermelons need fertile, well-drained soil. Rich compost or rotted manure worked into the soil would be beneficial. Large melons take 100 days or more of warm weather from sowing till harvest, but the new early hybrids may be fully ripe in 75 to 80 days. Harvesting Watermelons is a guessing game, especially the first melon of the season. Check the tendrils around the place the stem of the melon joins the vine. When they turn brown, the fruit may be picked. Some people pick them when the undersides begin to turn yellow. Some others thump the Watermelon to test the tone of the fruit; they only pick them when they sound bass or baritone.
PROPAGATION: Watermelon seeds are sown directly outdoors where they are to grow. In regions with short growing seasons, start seeds indoors, 3 to 4 weeks before the frost-free date in large peat pots. They are transplanted 2 or 3 weeks after the frost-free date. In the North, clear plastic mulch, with small slits cut into it, can be placed over raised beds; plant the seeds through these slits. You might, eventually, need to cover the plastic with straw to keep weeds down.
VARIETIES: There are many kinds of Watermelons. Most of the large types are open pollinated; the "icebox" varieties are mostly hybrids. Look for resistance to watermelon wilt and anthracnose diseases.
Early icebox (5 to 10 lbs., occasionally more) - Garden Baby; Fordhook Hybrid; Yellow Baby (AAS); New Hampshire (AAS). Second early icebox (10 to 15 lbs., occasionally more) - Sugar Baby; Sugar Doll; Sweet Favorite (AAS); Bush Jubilee.
Midseason to late: Large fruits (15 to 35 lbs. or more) - Charleston Gray; Bush Charleston Gray; Dixie Queen; Black Diamond. Seedless - Tri X 313 Hybrid; Triple Sweet Hybrid.
Million Bucks Hybrid Watermelon
Hybrid Watermelon (Seedless)
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