do they like it on the dry side? reason I ask is, I noticed a couple of the small ones on the vine have turned a bit mushy and developed a black spot at the blossom end. the larger ones seem to be ok... are they getting too much water, too little?
How Often To water...Watermelon?
Sorry can't help but I have heard that when you decide that you are going to pick --you withold the water so that the melon isn't too watery and bland..it concentrates the flavor and gives the flesh a more appealing feel in the mouth.
I can't help you much either. I don't irrigate watermelons. They are pretty drought resistant. Your problem sounds like abortion due to lack of pollination.
I hear that watermelons are a desert plant. They have fairly deep roots, so deep watering is good. Of course here in the actual desert figuring out the actual watering schedule has been trial and error for me.
Local commercial growers provide drip irrigation while the plants are young and developing. About 3 weeks prior to harvesting, they withhold moisture for the reasons Missingrosie stated above.
well, at the moment, i have three melons about the size of large oranges/small grapefruits. the others all shriveled, so I guess they hadnt been pollinated. I will continue to let nature irrigate them and see how it goes. Thanks everyone for the advice.
Wish I had natural irrigation - lol.
Rain? What's rain?
Most of the primary watermelon roots are rather shallow and horizonal just like the vines. I think regular water is important in most soil types.
I use a moisture meter fairly regularly to check the moisture in my soil. I marked it at about 2" from the tip of the probe. When the meter reads on the dry side of moist (between dry/moist), I water. Up till this week, I've only had to water about once a week. This week, though, the temps have skyrocketed and been in the low 100s, so we've watered twice.
Here are my 3 happy campers. I have one more that's almost ready to pick.
Aren't watermelons a real beauty when they grow and size up nicely?!
Those are a work of art Stephanie. I got 4 Raspas that are growing in size and Orangeglo, Sangria, and Sweet Slice Plus setting on nicely now.
These 3 guys are about the size of bowling balls! I was certainly surprised as the one that's almost ripe is smaller than any of these 3.
Farmerdill-is that picture you posted Blossom End Rot (BER)? I have had that happen a few times but I just gave them to the pigs. They didn't complain.
Lisa
It is similar, but a pollination problem rather than a physiological problem like BER.
How can you tell the difference and is this just in melons or all fruits/veggies?
Lisa
This type of abortion occurs only in cucurbits ( squash, cantaloupes, spanish melons, cucumbers, watermelons etc) BER is most prevalent in solanums like tomatoes and peppers. Of course cucurbits will also abort due to stress. I guess the best indicator, particularly in watermelons is that partially pollinated melons will grow a little on the stem end.
Thanks, that makes sense. I have only had it happen with watermelon.
Lisa