Watermelon seeds can be started indoors, about six weeks prior to growing season. Plant seeds in peat pots and place near a sunny windowsill. Keep soil moist, but refrain from overwatering at this stage—peat pots are very absorbent and will keep the soil humid for the newly germinating seeds.
When should I start my watermelons indoors?
Start your watermelon seeds indoors 6 to 8 weeks before the last expected frost. This gives your melon plants some time to grow before transplanting them outdoors in the garden.
Can you start watermelon plants indoors?
Watermelon seed can be started indoors 8 to 6 weeks before plants are set out. For the sweetest flavor, watermelons require a long, hot growing season and plenty of room; watermelon vines require 10 to 15 feet of growing room.
When should I start watermelon seeds?
Planting. The best time to plant watermelon seeds is from late spring to early summer, or when the soil temperature reaches 70 degrees or above. Watermelon seeds germinate easily and quickly, and seedlings don’t usually transplant well, so there’s no need to start them in a pot or seed tray.
Do I need to soak watermelon seeds before planting?
Many types of plant seeds benefit from pre-planting soaking to soften the outer seed coating and hasten germination. However, watermelons are an exception to the rule. Soaking the seeds before planting increases the risks of various fungal diseases, such as anthracnose caused by the Colletotrichum lagenarium fungus.
How many watermelon seeds are in a hole?
If sowing watermelon seeds directly, place four to six seeds in a one-inch hole at the top of a mound—once the seeds begin to sprout, they can be thinned back to the strongest two to three seedlings.
How long does it take for a watermelon seed to sprout?
Sow watermelon seeds ½-inch deep. Water seeds into the hills after planting. Time to Germination:Seeds will germinate in 4–12 days. Special Considerations: While it is simple to direct-sow watermelon seeds, you can also start watermelon seedlings indoors 4–6 weeks before the last frost date.
Why won’t my watermelon seeds sprout?
Why won’t my Watermelon seeds sprout? Direct sow Watermelons in the garden in spring after all danger of frost has passed and the soil has warmed to 21°C. Watermelon seeds will not germinate at a soil temperature below 18°C. Sow seed ½ inch deep and seeds germinate in 3 to 10 days at 27°C or warmer.
How do you prepare watermelon seeds for planting?
Cut the melon, dig out the seeds. Put seeds into a large bowl and fill it with water. You will notice that the healthy(viable) seeds will sink to the bottom, while the bad seeds will float with most of the pulp. Scoop out the floating seeds and pulp and dispose of them.
How many watermelons do you get per plant?
2-4 fruits
How Many Watermelons per Plant? Healthy watermelon vines produce 2-4 fruits per plant. The vines produce both male and female flowers. Both are needed to set fruit and there are fewer female flowers compared to male, about one female for every seven males.
Do watermelons need light to germinate?
Watermelon seeds do not need light to germinate they will appear in the dark within a few weeks provided that the temperature is sufficiently warm. However, for the seedlings to continue to grow once they have appeared they do require light as the seeds only have enough energy stores within them to get the plant going.
What can you not plant near watermelon?
Because other members of the Cucurbitae family are all attacked by cucumber beetles, planting watermelons next to these crops is not recommended:
- Cucumbers.
- Summer squash/zucchini.
- Pumpkins.
- Winter squash.
Can you germinate watermelon seeds in paper towel?
You can also germinate tomato seeds in paper towels or coffee filters, as well as cucumber, squash, muskmelon, and watermelon seeds.
Should watermelon seeds float or sink?
Healthy seed sinks to the bottom and dead (not viable) will float along with the majority of the pulp. Remove the “floaters” and pulp. Pour the viable seeds into a colander and rinse off any clinging pulp and drain.
Is Epsom salt good for watermelon plants?
Flat, tasteless melons can be due to a lack of magnesium or boron in the soil. It has been found that such fruits can be sweetened by giving them a dose of Epsom salts and borax. For home garden use, use about 6 1/2 tablespoons of Epsom salts and 3 1/2 tablespoons of household borax, all added to five gallons of water.
What is the fastest way to germinate melon seeds?
Melons can be started from seed indoors a month before the last frost date. Plant three seeds per cell or per pot in sterile-seed starting mix, a quarter-inch deep, and place the containers over a seedling heat mat set to 85°F. The seeds should germinate in three to four days at that temperature.
Do watermelons need full sun?
Watermelons require full sunlight in order to thrive. The plants can tolerate some partial shade, particularly in hotter climates, but plenty of sun is necessary to develop the sugars in the melons. Excessively shady conditions will reduce the number and size of the fruits.
Can you grow watermelon in a container?
You need to choose a pot that will be large enough for your container watermelon to thrive. Watermelons grow rapidly and require plenty of water, so it is recommended that you go with a 5-gallon (19 kg) or larger size container. Make sure that the container you will be growing watermelons in has enough drainage holes.
How long does it take for a watermelon to grow to full size?
80 to 90 days
It takes the shortest amount of time to mature, about 70 to 75 days. A main-season watermelon is larger and takes longer to ripen, usually 80 to 90 days.
How do you wake up dormant seeds?
To break their dormancy (wake them up), the gardener needs to create the conditions the seeds are waiting for. There are three tricks gardeners use to break dormancy and get seeds to sprout: Stratification, Scarification, and Soaking.
How do you activate dormant seeds?
Treatments to Overcome Seed Dormancy
- Mechanical Scarification.
- Hot Water Scarification.
- Drop into hot water (77 to 100oC), remove from heat, allow to cool and soak for 24 hours.
- Acid Scarification.
- Seeds, in small batches, are brought into contact with 93% Technical Grade sulphuric acid.
- Warm Moist Scarification.