Help water melon mostly plant and no fruit

Watch Reply
More
Mark unread Print Skip to new
IAMFLOWER Rochester, NY Sep 10, 2010

What does a watermelon need to grow fruit? Do they need a lot more sun, fertilizer or water than other veggies? Does it help to have several varieties planted by each other? I did not want to spend a lot on a plant that would not produce. Well I bought 2 plants and only have 1 fruit that is small- not sure if it will ripen before frost. Any help for a novice veggie gardener will be appreciated.

Post #8091537
Quote
Farmerdill Augusta, GA(Zone 8a) Sep 10, 2010

Watermelons need heat and loose soil. They love sand hate clay. They also cannot be crowded, give them plenty of space. They are more drought resistant than most vegetables and are not heavy feeders. In your area you should concentrate on early maturing "icebox" type melons like Yellow Doll, Red Doll, Micky Lee, New Hampshire Midget etc.

Thumbnail by Farmerdill
Post #8091571
Quote
HelenVT Charlotte, VT Sep 12, 2010

Where I live I find it easier to grow cantaloupe than watermelons. I tried a variety that I think was called Sarah's Choice from Johnny's Selected Seeds with good success. The plants should be started indoors 1-2 months ahead of time.

Post #8095563
Quote
Quyen Orange, CA(Zone 10b) Sep 12, 2010

Iamflower: For what it's worth, I have had better luck with direct sowing than with transplanting watermelons. I bought a watermelon plant (Crimson Sweet) in April for spring planting and it just languished. I waited for a while and got frustrated so I sowed some Mickey Lee seeds mid-July. Those are doing really well and have several baby melons right now while the spring transplant is still languishing! Same bed, same soil.

Farmerdill: When you say they cannot be crowded, do you mean the hills should be spaced out or that the vines should spread out? My watermelon vines are going everywhere and I try to redirecting them from the walkway back onto the bed so the vines are really crowded. Is this bad for the plants?

Post #8095613
Quote

Post a Reply to this Thread

Please or sign up to post.
Back to Forum Homepage

More Beginner Gardening Threads

Go to all Beginner Gardening threads
BACK TO TOP