How to Grow Watermelon Ruby Triploids

Triploid ruby watermelons taste and look just like standard watermelons.

Triploid ruby watermelons are genetically-modified watermelon plants designed to produce seedless fruit. These types of seedless watermelons have been grown in the U.S. for about 40 years. They are not truly seedless because they still produce small, tender, white seeds that can be eaten with the flesh of the fruit. The seeds for this plant are more expensive than standard watermelons and germination is a longer, more difficult process.

Instructions

1. Plant triploid ruby watermelon seeds indoors three weeks before you plan to put them outside. Fill small peat pots with fresh soil and place two or three seeds in each pot. Keep the indoor temperature between 80 and 85 degrees to promote germination.

2. Transplant the seedlings after the last frost in your region. Warm the soil prior to planting by laying black plastic sheets over the soil a few weeks before planting. The dark plastic sheets will absorb the sun's rays and warm the ground underneath.

3. Give the seedlings plenty of room to grow. Plant them two to three feet apart in long rows. Place each row about seven to 10 feet apart.

4. Plant each row of triploid ruby watermelons next to a row of seeded watermelons to allow for cross pollination. Triploid ruby watermelons are sterile plants and do not contain the fertile pollen they need to pollinate and produce fruit on their own.

5. Weed the garden weekly. This will prevent weeds from taking over the garden and stealing nutrients and water that the watermelons need to grow.

6. Apply a layer of mulch to keep the soil moist. Spread about a two to three inch layer of mulch around the watermelon plants after they have been established. This will prevent the watermelons from wilting and rotting on the vine.

7. Fertilize your watermelons to promote growth. Use a commercially-made fertilizer or a homemade organic fertilizer made from one part beer and two parts water in your garden every two weeks.

8. Protect your watermelons from garden pests. Building a fence around your garden will prevent pests such as rabbits from chewing on the vines and the fruit, but still allow insects to pollinate the plants.

9. Avoid over watering your watermelon plants late in the growing season. Watermelons are sweeter if their water consumption is limited after they have reached half their desired size. Supply the watermelons with no more than 1/2 to one inch of water a week once they reach this size.

References

• University of Kentucky; How Much Water Do Summer Veggies Need?; Aimee D. Heald
• University of Illinois: Watch Your Garden Grow
• University of Florida: Growing Seedless Watermelon
• University of Florida: Triploid Watermelon Production