Watermelon
Citrullus lanatus (SIT-troo-lus la-NAY-tus)
Watermelon is an annual, prostrate, vining vegetable that produces large, spherical to oval, edible, wet, fleshy fruits. It is a member of the Cucurbitaceae (cucumber) family and originated in Africa. Watermelon is easily grown from seed and does best in areas with long warm summers. Plant after all chance of frost has passed and the ground is warm. Choose a site that receives full sun and has loamy soil with a neutral pH. Keep the soil moist but not soggy. Harvest the fruit only when ripe. There are more than 1000 watermelon cultivars available. Vines can be up to 10 feet wide. The juicy fruits mature late summer and can weigh 6 to 60 pounds or more. The fruit is generally red with seeds but can also be pink or yellow. Seedless varieties are available. Click here to see a calendar of planting schedules, time-to-harvest, and recommended spacing. Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: Plants are susceptible to mites, squash vine borers, aphids, squash bugs, stink bugs, cutworms, pickleworm, cucumber beetles, downy and powdery mildews, bacterial wilt, fusarium wilt, blossom end rot, and anthracnose. Pollination may be hindered by cold rainy weather. Stress from heat, excessive water ,or poor pollination may result in poor fruit set. VIDEO Created by Homegrown featuring Penny Perkins-Veazie , Professor and Postharvest Physiologist at NC State's Plants for Human Health Institute
Source: NC State Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox ↗ NC State Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox, 57 attributes.
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