Spray the watermelons with insecticidal soap. The entire plant must be covered with the substance, to the point of runoff. Reapply the product every seven to 10 days.
What is eating holes in my watermelon?
Melon aphids, also known as cotton aphids (Aphis gossyppi). Melon aphids (Aphis gossyppi) and several other aphid species attack cucurbits, particularly melons and cucumbers. Melon aphids vary in size and color from light yellow to green to black.
What do you spray watermelon with?
Insecticides Insecticides used in watermelon are: abamectin, esfenvalerate, diazinon, dimethoate, carbofuran, dicofol, methomyl, permethrin, carbaryl, endosulfan, imidacloprid, bifenthrin, beta-cyfluthrin, thiamethoxam, spiromesifin, fenpropathrin, dinotefuran, spintor, vydate, and fulfill.
How do I keep bugs off my melon?
Fencing and netting won’t keep bugs away from your watermelon crop. Spray repellents are the most effective and common way of protecting ripe fruit from insects. A few sprays of a vegetable-safe repellent can keep away aphids, ladybugs, and various other watermelon-eating insects.
How do I protect my watermelon farm?
Coolong stresses that the best way to protect vines is to turn them back in drive rows. Watermelon fields are set up in several groups of five or six beds that are divided by larger drive rows, which make the vines accessible by farm equipment.
What kind of bugs eat watermelon?
Pickleworm and melonworm rarely attack watermelon. The principal insect and mite pests on watermelons in Florida are aphids, rindworms (caterpillars feeding on the rind, including beet and fall armyworms, cabbage looper, tobacco budworm, corn earworm, saltmarsh caterpillar, and others), whiteflies, and thrips.
Do watermelons attract bugs?
Although there are many, many insects that would love to take a bite out of your melons, some are more common visitors to the garden than others.
How do you increase watermelon fruit size?
To maximize the size of the melon, water the plants regularly in deep water sessions that keep the soil moist. Side dress the Watermelon plants with fertilizer prepared for edible crops or fertilizer tea to feed the plants. Fertilizer encourages growth to produce large melons.
What eats watermelon in the garden?
The two main pests that affect watermelons are aphids and cucumber beetles. Not only do these insects feed on the plants but they can also transmit viruses from plant to plant, which is often more damaging than the insect’s feeding. There are many different aphid species.
Do watermelon plants need a lot of water?
Typically, watermelon plants need 1-2 inches of water per week so that the soil stays moist but not wet. If you’re not getting enough rain each week, make sure you give your plants an extra drink.
How do you spray a watermelon?
Spraying can be done once a week during the dry season and at least twice during the wet season. Use 70g of mancozeb in 20 litres or 50g of copper in 20 litres. Aphids and melon fruit flies are the major pests that attack melons.
What to put under watermelons while growing?
In order to grow great watermelons, you’ll need to put a barrier between the watermelons and the ground. This is to reduce the risk of rot and disease. Good ground barriers are straw, or even cardboard.
Can watermelon get too much sun?
Watermelons require full sun for proper growth. For full sun, choose a location where watermelons receive eight to 10 hours of direct sunlight. The plants need sun to remain healthy and productive. Choose a garden location where trees, buildings or other structures do not block the sun and shade the plants.
What grows well with watermelons?
Watermelon Companions
Cultivate flowering plants — including members of the aster family, like sunflowers, cosmos, coneflowers, and coreopsis, and herbs in the mint family, such as mint, oregano, thyme, and rosemary — to attract sweat bees and other pollinators.
Can watermelon and cantaloupe be planted next to each other?
No, you shouldn’t plant watermelon and cantaloupe vines close to one another because of the space requirements and shared pest and disease concerns, but you can plant them in a larger bed in different areas with good cultural practices.
How do you make insecticidal soap?
By mixing 2.5 tablespoons of vegetable oil and 2.5 tablespoons of pure liquid soap with 1 gallon of distilled water, you’ll have a whole gallon of insecticidal soap for safely spraying plants in flowerbeds or the vegetable garden.
How many watermelons do you get per plant?
The number of vines determines how many watermelons there are per plant as each vine can produce between two to four melons during the growing season. Watermelons grow best in a planting site that has a lot of open space. Watermelon vines ramble, so your plants are going to spread out around your garden as they grow.
How do I get rid of aphids naturally?
HOW TO GET RID OF APHIDS NATURALLY
- Remove aphids by hand by spraying water or knocking them into a bucket of soapy water.
- Control with natural or organic sprays like a soap-and-water mixture, neem oil, or essential oils.
- Employ natural predators like ladybugs, green lacewings, and birds.
What can you not plant near watermelon?
The best plants to companion with watermelons are herbs, lettuces, marigolds, nasturtiums, and radishes. Avoid planting cucumbers, squash, and potatoes near watermelons to help reduce the risk of pests.
Can watermelon and tomatoes be planted together?
Warm-season plants like tomatoes and melons thrive together with the same temperature, sun, nutrition and water needs, but they require generous spacing for growth. Plant these crops at the same time, and with the same considerations.
Do tea bags attract bugs?
4 – Repellent effect against insects
Both at home and in the garden, the smell of brewed tea keeps unwanted insects away. Placing tea bags in the garden is a good way to protect plants from pests.