How to Grow Seedless Watermelons

Have you wondered how they grow seedless watermelons? Well, wonder no more. This article will tell you exactly how to do it.

Difficulty: Challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Diploid watermelon seeds
• Triploid watermelon seeds
• Land ready for growing crop
• Shovel

1. Diane Relf of the Virginia Cooperative Extension states that watermelon should be grown in warm temperatures. Therefore, experts would probably recommend that watermelon plants be germinated inside a controlled temperature environment where the grower can keep the temperatures above 75 degrees Fahrenheit. Ms. Relf suggests the plants be placed in a sterile soil mix at a room temperature of 75 - 85 degrees Fahrenheit. Once the watermelon vine (or runners) are 6 to 8 inches long, they can be transferred to the garden area outside. Even then, the soil need to be at least 70 degrees Fahrenheit.

2. To get fruit, the seedless watermelon (called triploids) must be grown next to the regular watermelon (called diploid). The seedless watermelon is sterile and unable to pollinate by itself. Therefore, the regular watermelon assists in the pollination process for the seedless watermelon to get fruit. So, assuming you are doing a small garden, dig the holes where you want to plant the watermelons.

3. In the first hole, plant a "regular or diploid" watermelon plant. In the next two holes, plant the seedless (or triploid) plant. Continue to alternate until all your plants are in the ground. Mark the planting orientation so you can distinguish your seedless watermelon from your regular watermelon once they mature.

4. Your job is done! Now you know how to grow seedless watermelons. Sit back and in a couple of weeks, you can enjoy them. You will have the regular watermelons too, but you can give those away or sell them at the market.

Tips & Warnings

• Watermelon grows in warm weather. If you cannot germinate indoors, Diane Relf recommend you wait until the soil is above 70 degrees Fahrenheit before planting.
• Experts say watermelon seeds are only good for about 12 months or less so if you don't plant them in time, you will lose them.

Resources

• Diane Relf and the Virginia Cooperative Extension
• How to Make Southern Fried Sweet Corn

[kgram]

on 8/16/2009 So to grow a seedless watermelon you plant a seedless watermelon seed? Somehow that never would have occurred to me.

[luv2blog]

on 8/17/2008 Thank you all for your thoughts.

Momoffour - vyellow watermelon is grown mostly in AZ, CA and Mexico from May to October. I don't see a lot of them around the GA are, either. You probably could get one shipped to you from AZ or Cali, though!

Susang6: My parents grew watermelons when I was growing up. We helped with the planting. In the south you never had to worry much about the temperatures but now I understand why they would "bank" the plants if they thought a little cold weather (anything below 70 degrees!) was coming.

[momofour]

on 8/16/2008 I wondered where they came from! I tell you, the one I would love to have is one I haven't had in years (27 years!) and that is a yellow melon. I can't find them.

[Susang6]

on 8/16/2008 I grow watermelon and have always wondered about the seedless one...How in the world do I grow it? thank for the advice!

[amylaine]

on 8/14/2008 Great info, thanks for sharing. I always wondered about this.