Watermelons ( Citrullus lanatus ) are the ultimate angelical , thirst - extinguishing snack during the hot sidereal day of summertime . There ’s nothing quite like biting into a stale slice of this racy fruit that is not only tasty but skillful for you too . disregardless of where you live , whether you have garden distance or not , as long as your climate have several month ofwarm , icing - free conditions , you could maturate these succulent , mouthwatering fruit at domicile .
Watermelons Long Cultivation History
Belonging in the tumid Cucurbitaceae family , which is the same family as cucumbers , pumpkins and squelch , watermelon vine have been cultivated for 1000 of geezerhood . Native to northeasterly Africa , evidence shows watermelons were crop and prized by the ancient Pharaohs ’ of Egypt . They were so important , book of facts to watermelons are found on the ancient hieroglyphic of Egypt and the fruits included in the Pharaohs ’ tomb for their journeying into the afterlife .
From Egypt , merchandiser ships introduced watermelons throughout the various countries along the Mediterranean , and from there it proceed to spread . By the time the 10thCentury rolled around , watermelon vine made their way to China , where they are still one of that country ’s top bring forth yield .
By the 13thCentury , Citrullus vulgaris had been introduced to the rest of Europe . By the early 1500s , European settler and African hard worker take the watermelon to the United States and were soon growing in Florida .
Seedless Watermelon History
The first seedless watermelon cultivar was developed in 1939 in Japan , but it was n’t democratic due to in high spirits susceptibleness of disease . By the 21stCentury , and due to retain fostering to grow more disease - resistant strain , seedless watermelon amount for 85 per centum of all the watermelon gross sales in the U.S.
Preferred Climate
Watermelons , considered yearly subtropical and tropical yield , have a vining or scrambling nature , with most types requiring a largegrowing spaceor climbing structure , if maturate in containers . The plant are very sensitive to frost and cold conditions . If seed are sowed or organ transplant coiffe out in the garden when out-of-door air and soil temperatures are still too cold , they can give out to develop or thrive .
Therefore , it ’s imperative to hold back until the weather warms in spring to plant alfresco . The prime condition for planting include :
Expert Tip : To get a parachuting on grow , you’re able to start your watermelonseedsin peat spate about three workweek before your region ’s last spring frost . Place the pots in a sunny window or other gay and warm fix indoors , and the seed should start spud in about a week .
Where to Plant
When deciding what miscellanea of watermelon to establish , always deliberate your local weather conditions and the length of your ardent - season . If you could only require a little over two months of tender stipulation , you do n’t desire to select a variety that take over 100 days to mature .
Always read the seeded player packet for crucial planting and growing entropy like days to expect harvest , size of mature fruit and plants , planting depth and expected daylight to germination . The seed packet also tells you how much room you ’ll take between multiple plants to give the watermelon their need blank space to grow well .
disregardless of the color of the watermelon ’s skin and fruit , size of it of the fruit and the distance of meter you have to wait until you reap , all watermelons need the same basic growing conditions .
If grow you watermelon in a container , select a miscellany producing little melons and short plants . Smaller watermelons are n’t too expectant for trellising and shorter - produce plant sour better for potted ontogeny .
Expert steer : Keep seed planted in pots and in the garden , as well as garden transplants watered on a regular basis to keep the grime moist but not soggy . If your garden soil lacks the necessitate nutrients , improve the sphere with 6- to 8 - inches ofwell - rottedmanure or compost .
