A Guide to Grow Watermelons

The most grown watermelon type and highly Market demanded is the Zebra type with dark green stripes.

·         Oblong in shape

·         Average fruit weight 6 – 15kg

·         Deep red flesh, crispy & firm

·         Good shelf life for long distance transport

·         Yield potential of 18g 25 tons per acre

Maturity it's takes 60 – 90 days to maturity depending on the area grown.

1. Climatic Requirements

·         Long, warm growing periods

·         -Bright, hot days (27 – 35ºC)

·         Warm nights (16 – 21ºC)

·         Cool Temp. & Excessive. Delay germination, Slows growth, and poor fruit setting, hallow fruit

·         High humidity: Susceptible to various diseases & Reduce the flowering

2. Soil Requirements

·         Sandy loam

·         Rich in organic matter & good drainage

·         Heavy textured soils: Slower crop development & cracked fruits

·         Soil pH: 6 – 7

·         Apply lime if soil pH is too low or as guided by soil analysis results.

3. Propagation

Watermelons can be direct seeded, or propagated to a seedling and later transplanted.

4. Planting

Seed Requirements & Sowing Method

·         Seed Rate: 500 – 600 gms per acre

For the direct sowing, the planting depth is about 1cm or double the size of the seed.

They can be planted in single or double rows.

a. Single row system:

Row spacing: 2 - 2.5 metres

Plant spacing: 40 - 60cm

b. Double row system:

Row spacing: 2 - 3m

Plant spacing: 40- 60cm

5. Site selection

Watermelon should be planted where no other melon family crops have been grown before.

Always consider where Cereals, Legumes, Pulses have been grown for at least two seasons.

6. Fertilizer and Manure application

Manure capacity is 5 - 8 tons/acre or as advised in soil analysis results.

7. Fertilizer and Planting

We plant with a phosphorus based fertilizer (DAP, 23.23.0 or Yara power) at a capacity of 50 to 100kg per acre or as advised in soil analysis results.

Top Dress:

1^st fertilizer: 50kg 23:23:0 or vegetative fertilizer at 14 to 20 days after planting.

2^nd fertilizer Yara liva Nitrabor and Yara Mila winner at 30 to 45 days after planting.