For the first time ever this year , I taste my mitt at growing Citrullus vulgaris .
So frustrating !
If you ’re like me and live in a stale growing geographical zone in which growing quick weather - loving crop like watermelon is a challenge , you might be wondering if there ’s a room to make things a slight well-situated .
I ’ve institute a couple of strategies , one of which involve growing watermelon in my hoop family ( it was somewhat of a success ) .
Another choice is to arise Citrullus vulgaris in a container .
Besides increasing your growing time of year , there are several other reason to consider growing watermelon vine in a container . In this clause , I ’ll tell you all that you involve to know about this unique develop strategy .
Why You Might Want to Grow Watermelon in a Container
There are 3 main reasons as to why you might want to grow Citrullus vulgaris in a container , and almost all of them have to do with ease .
For me , arise watermelon vine in a container is all about making the most of my very circumscribed produce season . watermelon vine ca n’t go outside until the risk of exposure of Robert Frost has pass , which in some areas , may be pressing into Memorial Day or even far after .
If you have a freak early frost , your industrial plant will expire and watermelon vine ca n’t be ripened off the vine – so say good-by to your hard - realize harvest !
maturate watermelon vine in a container is an gentle way to extend your growing season and make the most of limited time .
Container - grown watermelon is also a safe idea if you want to develop watermelon during the winter month . Although you will undoubtedly have to add on some sparkle , as watermelon needs a fair amount of daytime light for thrive , growing watermelon in a container indoors is a good style to keep the horticulture go even during the dead of winter .
Finally , it ’s a good option for hoi polloi with modified blank .
Whether you plan on grow Citrullus vulgaris in container indoors or alfresco , growing it in a container will lend you the flexibleness necessary to move your containers around wherever you see fit . you’re able to stash the containers under agrow lightin an unused corner of the living way , or you’re able to put them out on an flat balcony .
Your options are limitless . Container - growing Citrullus vulgaris is a enceinte agency to make gardening easier – and to help you make the most of limited resource and physical constraint .
How to Grow Watermelon in Containers
1. Start with the Right Variety
Before you get grow watermelon in a container , you ’re going to have to choose the right variety . Not all watermelon vine type are equally well - befit for container grow . You will have to choose a compact miscellany that produces relatively pocket-sized fruits , like Sugar Baby , Moon , and wizard , or Crimson Sweet .
Some other good , heavyset varieties of watermelon include :
2. Choose the Perfect Container
Even if you choose a more succinct variety of watermelon , as cite above , you ’re still go to need to choose the right sized container for your needs . Choose a containerthat will be large enough for your mature plants and also allow for skilful water retentivity . Ideally , your container should be at least 5 - gal or big and fit out with plenty of drainage maw .
occupy your container withpotting soilor a soilless mixture . Avoid using dirt from your garden as this can become compacted and even channel harmful diseases and pests to your newfangled watermelon plant .
3. Start from Seed, Rather Than Transplant
No matter what variety of watermelon you make up one’s mind to grow , always bulge out from semen . Watermelon transplant have fragile etymon that are well damage during transplantation .
If you want to get a jumpstart , you may always start up from seeded player indoors , but be certain to engraft your seeds in biodegradable peat pile so that you may imbed the whole pot in your container subsequently on , rather than bear to disturb the solution .
When you ’re ready to plant , tuck your seed in a hole that is about 3 times deep than the seed . Water well . If you are planning on invest your container outside , you should await to do so until the danger of Robert Lee Frost has passed .
4. Soil and Sunlight Requirements
Regardless of whether you are growing in a container or growing straight in the undercoat , watermelon vine should be grown in loose , oxygenise soil that is very fertile . A neutral pH is best . rectify the soilbefore planting with compost or another type of organic matter .
put your container in full sunlight . Watermelon plants wo n’t organize yield as well when they are grown in the shade . If you do n’t have a sunny enough spot inside your home for your containers , feel loose to put the containers out of doors or to employ a subsidiary grow light .
5. Watering and Fertilizing
Water your watermelon plants every day . As the name of the yield alone implies , watermelon vine require a lot of wet . impoverish your plants of wet will lead to fruits that are undersize , bitter , and dry - degustation .
You may also have to fertilize your plants as Citrullus vulgaris are heavy feeder . Not only that , but moisture and fertiliser leach easily from containers , so you will take to append your watermelon vine with what they need to farm .
Again , it ’s important to body of water day by day , and you may involve to inseminate as often as once a week with a water - based fertilizer orcompost(or once a month if you are using a granulated obtuse - spillage fertilizer ) .
6. Trellis Your Watermelon
After planting your Citrullus vulgaris seed , it ’s a full idea to install your treillage system correctly out . That way , you wo n’t have to worry about working around the vine as they uprise large , longer , and more inept .
If you ’re growing watermelon in a container , chances are , you ’re lacking in distance . If you do n’t instal a treillage or any other kind of support , your watermelon will apace take up all the free space you do have available .
you could put in a teepee - influence trellis or a traditional vertical trellis . Whichever you choose , be sure to train the Citrullus vulgaris vines as they raise , entwining them up the living .
7. Mind Potential Pollinator Issues
One of the big issues that arise when produce watermelon indoors is that you do n’t have access to pollinators inside a rest home or flat . you may move your container outside periodically when the watermelon plants have flowered , or you canhand - pollinatethe efflorescence .
This sounds complicated , but really it just imply take a bit of pollen from aflower with a Q - tipand redistribute it .
8. Support Fruit Once it Appears
trellis your watermelon works is a near commencement , but you ’ll also need to ply support for the fruits once they appear . Watermelon is heavy , peculiarly if it ’s turn in a vertical fashion .
you could use a bit of textile , like a stretchy golf tee - shirt , to make a hammock beneath the fruit . Simply tie each death to the watermelon ’s master documentation . It will stretch to support the watermelon as the yield gets grown .
When is Watermelon Ready to Harvest?
Now , the moment you ’ve been waiting for – it ’s sentence to harvest your watermelon!Watermelonis quick for harvest home when the underside of the fruit change from being a greenish - white color to a more buttery shade of chickenhearted . You ’ll discover that right watermelon vine become duller ( and less sheeny ) , too .
unremarkably , watermelons are quick for harvest about 32 days after the flowers have bloomed on the plants . They ’ll mature more quickly in hot weather , though ( or if you ’re develop indoors , in warm indoor conditions there , too ) so do n’t use the calendar as a guide but alternatively just monitor your individual works .
A advanced watermelon vine will make a “ plunking ” sound when tapped and you may notice that the vines have lead off to dry out and shrivel , too .
With any fortune , you should be able to acquire several batches of tasty watermelon vine each yr for you and your sept to savour . Do n’t be afraid of growing several varieties so that you always have wise watermelon on hand . It ’s the arrant addition to a homestead container garden , no matter where you live .
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