Discover the joy of growing melons from seed and relish the delicious rewards of your efforts!
Growing melons from seed is not only a rewarding journey, but also satisfying. Witness nature’s magic from the moment you plant those tiny seeds in the soil and watch them sprout and transform into vibrant, leafy vines. Tending to your dear plants, nurturing them with care, and watching them gradually develop will fill you with a sense of accomplishment like no other.
– Start by planting two melon seeds in each compost pot.
– Ensure they receive ample water and provide optimal conditions for germination
– Situate the pots either in a propagator or a heated mini greenhouse
– Ensure the pots are well-lit to create a perfect environment for your melon seeds
– After successful germination, do eliminate weaker seedlings from each pot
– Maintain moderate moisture in the compost and avoid excessive wetness
– As the first true leaves emerge, do reduce the temperature in the propagator to 15 °C
– This will provide ideal conditions for robust melon seedling development
– The planting period extends from late spring to early summer
– Make sure to pinch off the main growing point to encourage side-shoot development
– Provide support by adding bamboo cane or letting the plant sprawl on the ground
– Keep compost moist and monitor it on a daily basis
– Provide nourishment by using liquid feed weekly for vigorous growth
– Prune to save space by pinching off side shoots weekly after 3 or 4 leaves
– Tie the main stem or allow the plant to grow freely based on the available space
– Melons tend to boast both male and female flowers
– Female flowers develop into fruit after blooming
– Male flowers on the other hand have slim stems
– Usually, insects take care of the pollination process, but you can hand-pollinate in greenhouses if necessary
– You can distinguish females by spotting fruit behind them and males by their slender stems
– Firstly, timing does matter. Choose a warm, sunny day with fully open flowers
– Pick a healthy male flower and remove its petals to expose the pollen-producing part
– Now gently bring the male flower to the open female inflorescence
– By doing this, you are transferring pollen, to the female stigma
– Secure support by using stockings or nets to offer sturdy fruit support
– Note that ripe melons emit a sweet aroma, soften opposite the stem, and may alter skin color
– Also, look for small cracks near the stems as a clear signal of ripe melons ready to harvest
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