Watermelons are cracking...

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kevcarr59 BUda, TX(Zone 8b) Jun 21, 2011

We've planted some Crimson Sweets and have what I would consider good germination. We had our first WM develop a split in the skin about an inch long. We culled the fruit and now we had another do the same thing except this one the melon split in half. We have these in raised beds but the vines are out along the ground, the bottoms of the melon look okay, just a lighter yellow/green, and not any sign of pests. What would cause the melons to split like that??

Please help us, the granddaughter LOVES watermelon!!!!!

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stephanietx Fort Worth, TX(Zone 8a) Jun 21, 2011

Inconsistent watering is usually the culprit.

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kevcarr59 BUda, TX(Zone 8b) Jun 22, 2011

What should be a consistent watering schedule for the watermelons??? With the drip system we are doing about an hour every other day with a .5 GPH drip-soaker hose with drippers every 9".

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flyinglocksmith Montgomery, TX Jul 04, 2011

My melons are doing great on drip irrigation.(don't know what variety, just got the plants home depot had)
I have 1 gal/hr drippers, one dripper at base of each plant, & turn them on for 2-3 hrs every other day.
Rest of garden (toms, squash, red, yellow & green bell pepper,zucchini) all on same irrigation, and doing well.

A while back I got slack on watering and later a few of them split nearly in half. I am first time gardener but think stephanie may be correct. Have not had any split since keeping consistent schedule.

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Horseshoe Efland, NC(Zone 7a) Jul 04, 2011

kevcarr, "the bottoms of the melon look okay, just a lighter yellow/green,"

Yep, could be inconsistent watering but if your melons are yellow on the bottoms that is usually a sign of ripeness. It could be yours split because they have reached maturity.

I can't remember off the top of my head what the length of maturity is for Crimson Sweets but if you check your set out date that will give you an idea if you are close to it.

Your drip system should be giving them ample water but I'm not familiar with Texas weather/heat/humidity, etc. And remember, towards the last week of getting ready to harvest you ought to cut back on water for best flavor.

Shoe

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SoFlaCommercial West Palm Beach, FL(Zone 10b) Jul 04, 2011

I'm having an issue with watermelons on the vine, setting fruit, growing to about six inches long, then shriveling up, dying and molding on the vine within a matter of days. No bug interference that I can see, though.

SFC

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stephanietx Fort Worth, TX(Zone 8a) Jul 05, 2011

Perhaps they didn't get pollinated? They need bees to pollinate them, or ants or other insects. You can do the pollinating yourself, too.

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