Melon & Watermelon Growing Guide

Melons : Cucumis meloWatermelons : Citrullus lanatusThe scented juiciness of summer - ripe melons is overwhelmingly beguiling , but the health benefits of these toothsome fruits should n’t be omit . Look to red - fleshed melons to fortify the heart and urinary tract . Yellow and orangish human body type supply living to the resistant system , ticker and visual sense . Green - fleshed varieties promote strong bones and teeth as well as imagination wellness . We ’ve selected variety that are successful in both southern and northern garden . Day to maturity are look from transplantation escort . Culture• Melons and watermelons do well in fertile , well - debilitate filth with a pH of 6.0 - 7.0• Apply 1/2 loving cup of TSC ’s Complete fertiliser and a shovelful of compost to each plant• Watermelons are less tolerant of cool status than melons — the function of credit card mulch or floating wrangle masking is highly recommended• supervise the temperature under the row cover on blistering days , especially early in the season• Remove cover prior to unfolding for pollinationDirect Sowing• Soil temperature is critical for estimable sprouting and only recommend in strong climatesTransplanting• Start indoors in 4 inch smoke , 3 - 4 weeks before anticipated graft date• Grow the seedlings under dry , warm conditions• fend off letting starts get root bound ; transplant cautiously as to not disturb roots• Fertilize seedling with a balanced fluent fertilizer , such as Age Old GrowInsects & Diseases• Common worm : Cucumber beetles• Insect restraint : Pyrethrin and row covers• Common disease : Bacterial wilt and powdery mildew• Disease control : Zonix• Disease prevention : 3 - 4 year crop rotation , invalidate overhead wateringHarvest & Storage• Cantaloupe will well slip from vine when ripe• With other melon , discipline the folio where fruit is attached to the vine — yield is fledged when this leafage start to yellow• Citrullus vulgaris are ready for harvest when the tendril closest to the yield is dry and chocolate-brown or when the bottom side of the yield is yellow• Melons and watermelon will not mature off vine• Pick in the aplomb of the day and chill quickly• Melons : store at 40 ° farad and 95 % comparative humidity• Watermelons : computer memory at 50 - 60 ° fluorine and 85 % relative humidityKEY TO MELON DISEASE RESISTANCE AND TOLERANCEA | AnthracnoseAB | former ( Alternaria ) BlightF * | Fusarium WiltMNSV | Melon Necrotic Spot VirusPM * | Powdery MildewPRV      | Papaya Ringspot VirusWMV | Watermelon Mosaic VirusZYMV | Zucchini Yellow Mosaic Virus*Numbers indicate specific disease slipstream .