Watermelon (Citrullus lanatus) is a flowering plant species of the Citrullus family and the name of its edible fruit. A scrambling and trailing vine-like plant, it is a highly cultivated fruit worldwide, with more than 1,000 varieties.
Are watermelon vines?
Watermelon, Citrullus lanatus, is a vining annual plant in the family Cucurbitaceae grown for its fleshy fruit. Watermelon vines are thin, grooved and covered in tiny hairs. Vines are branching and possess deeply lobed pinnate leaves.
What type of plant is a watermelon?
watermelon, (Citrullus lanatus), succulent fruit and vinelike plant of the gourd family (Cucurbitaceae), native to tropical Africa and cultivated around the world.
Is melon plant a vine?
Melons grow on very sprawling vines that can take up most of a garden bed though. The perfect solution is growing melons vertically. While these fruits are heavy, you can grow melons on a trellis as long as you create a strong support system for the vine and each fruit.
Why do watermelons grow on vines?
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.
Is watermelon a climber?
The watermelon is an annual that has a prostrate or climbing habit. Stems are up to 3 metres (10 feet) long and new growth has yellow or brown hairs.
How long do watermelon vines grow?
A vine of about 1 foot long grows out and large lobed leaves begin to form. This runner will continue to grow until it reaches about 12 feet in length. About one month after a watermelon plant sends out its first vine, several more vines will begin to grow.
Which plant is a shrub?
shrub, any woody plant that has several stems, none dominant, and is usually less than 3 m (10 feet) tall. When much-branched and dense, it may be called a bush.
How would you describe watermelon?
the large, roundish or elongated fruit of a trailing vine, Citrullus lanata, of the gourd family, having a hard, green rind and a sweet, juicy, usually pink or red pulp.
How do you identify a watermelon plant?
Examine the leaf shape. Watermelon leaves contain three deep-cut lobes that are further divided into smaller lobes. The rounded, irregular edges resemble an oak leaf – minus the point. Cucumber leaves, however, are triangular and lightly lobed at the base.
How many vines does a watermelon plant produce?
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.
How many melons grow on a vine?
Each plant should produce two to four melons.
How do watermelon plants grow?
Watermelons do best in loamy, somewhat-sandy, well-drained soil. They can struggle in soil that contains too much clay and doesn’t drain well. Watermelons prefer a soil pH between 6.0 and 7.5 (“slightly acidic to neutral”). Watermelons need A LOT of space—up to 20 square feet per plant.
Can watermelon vines be pruned?
So, to curtail the size, it is indeed possible to prune the plant. Beyond reining in the size, there are other reasons for watermelon trimming. Pruning watermelons promotes healthier vines and increases fruit size. Look for irregular or rotting fruit to prune from the plant.
Do watermelons have genders?
Yes, watermelons have ‘genders’. “Male” watermelon are longer and more oval while ‘female’ watermelons tend to be rounder. ‘Male’ watermelons are often more watery, while the ‘female’ melon is typically sweeter.
Do watermelons grow in trees?
Answer: It may surprise you to learn watermelons DO NOT grow on trees. In fact, watermelons grow from vines that tend to spread out across the ground in open spaces. The vines can grow up to six meters long, with each vine growing up to 2-4 fruits. So, the more vines you have, the more watermelons you can produce.
Which plants are climber?
Top 10 Climber Plants for Home Garden
- 1) Star Jasmine.
- 2) Aparajita / Butterfly Pea.
- 3) Flame Plant.
- 4) Money plant.
- 5) Bougainvillea.
- 6) Allamanda.
- 7) Curtain Plant.
- 8) Combretum Indicum.
Do watermelons need support?
You might be surprised to learn that watermelon plants love growing on a trellis! Although the tendrils of a watermelon vine aren’t strong enough to search out and climb a vertical support on their own, with a little bit of human help, watermelons thrive when grown off the ground.
How tall do watermelon plants grow?
The vines of standard watermelon varieties can grow up to 10 feet in length, making them difficult to manage in containers. They are particularly difficult for gardeners who grow in small spaces. Plus, despite their crazy length, each vine only produces one or two fruits.
Do you have to turn watermelons as they grow?
Yes! We always recommend you rotate crops in your garden as much as possible to prevent diseases and pests. Watermelons should not come after or before any other melons, and if possible, any other members of the cucurbit family (winter squash, cucumbers, zucchini, summer squash, pumpkins).
How deep do watermelon roots go?
Watermelon roots commonly grow 8 to 10 or more inches deep; the hole and mound become a reservoir of moisture and nutrients. More tips: Watermelon Seed Starting Tips. Care. Space watermelons 6 to 12 feet (1.8-3.6 m) apart; don’t let plants compete for soil moisture or nutrients.