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Seasonal observations of the UCCE Master Gardeners
Flowers
Comments:
by Miguel
on July 5, 2022 at 2:34 PM
Erin,  
 
That is a pretty watermelon!  
 
I am a first-time gardener, trying my luck growing Sugar Baby & Mini Love watermelons. I had a late start to the season and made some mistakes early on, but so far my plants are looking ok, and they may be a little stunted.  
 
My main concern is the amount of warm weather left in the season. There are approximately 100 days until the first frost, and about 70 days left of 70+ degree temperature where I am. I keep seeing people recommend at least 3 months of warm weather in order for the fruit to ripen and develop sweetness. Did your melons have enough time to sweeten up? They definitely look good in size.  
 
Best,  
Miguel
by The time-lapse of watermelon growing sta
on February 12, 2023 at 9:28 AM
Now that you know the growing stages, you must know how many days after planting the seeds you expect to get the melons. So, mark your time-lapse in the calendar for watermelon growing stages.  
 
Watermelon growing stages Time-lapse  
Seed sprouting 1-3 days  
Full seed germination 3-10 days  
Leaves and stem development 10-15 days after seed planting  
Full watermelon plant 30-35 days after seed planting  
Flowering 30-50 days after seed planting  
Fruiting Within 60-70 days the fruits appear.  
The best combination for your watermelon growing stages  
You know the growing stages of watermelon. Now you have to simply follow the different requirements for your watermelon growing stages.  
 
watermelon growing stages  
Watermelon Plants First Step  
Sunlight: Watermelon plants can do best in the full sun. So, place the watermelon seedlings in a sunny place. 6-8 hours of full sun is required. However, in the cooler climate, the sunlight can’t harm the plant. But in a hot climate, you must plant the watermelon in partial shade so that extreme sunlight won’t burn the vine.  
 
Watering: This essential is required in different amounts in different stages. Regular watering is a must for your watermelon plant. In the watermelon growing stages, for example in the growing season, the plant needs 2 inches of water every week. This water will make the topsoil moist. At least five inches of topsoil should be moist.  
 
Soil type and pH: Watermelon plants love neutral soil that is not alkaline/ acidic. So, pH 6.5-7.5 really supports this vine plant species. Also, the watermelon loves aerated soil that has more air and loose in texture. So, dry sandy loamy soil works well for the soil.  
 
Humidity: The watermelon loves the summer season and so higher humidity. Mostly the humidity from 60-70% or more like 75% is best for the watermelon growing season. Moreover, the flowering and fruiting times of watermelons crave higher humidity.  
 
Mulching and pruning: In the growing stages of the watermelon, you prune the dead leaves and brunches. It will re-boost the watermelon growth. In the warmer climate zone, mulching is the best idea. Because the cut grasses, straw ultimately any mulches will keep the roots safe from drying out and hold the moisture content of the soil.  
 
Fertilization: Well, in the watermelon growing stages, you need to know when to fertilize the growing media. It is best to use 5-10-10 or 10-10-10 fertilizer before flowering which means in the initial growing stage. And then fertilize less in the flowering and fruiting season as it will delay the flower pollination.  
 
Because a big thumb rule for any plant is to reduce fertilizer in the flowering stage. As a result, all the plants nutrients and mechanisms will trigger the flowering and fruiting and you will get your sweet watermelon.
 
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