![]() ![]() Their numbers will depend on the type of flora in the area. ![]() In some areas, solitary bees, which are much smaller than honey bees, are better pollinators. Generally, one hive per hectare is sufficient. Watermelon nectar is not a favourite of honey bees and they may seek another source of nectar if one is available close to the watermelon lands. Pollination is also an important factor, and you should ensure that there are sufficient pollinator insects in the area. Apply a pyrethroid over the area before planting or emergence. Fortunately, control these days is easy, cheap and effective, so it’s not worth taking a chance. Switching to them might be a viable option, despite the extra care required during cultivation.Īll the foregoing will be wasted, though, if your watermelons are attacked by cutworm. Triploids have become popular in many countries, and will probably become increasingly important in South Africa as more consumers try them. Incidentally, seedless varieties do contain ‘pips’, but they are small, white, underdeveloped, and perfectly edible. Without this, customers won’t understand why it’s selling for a premium. It’s also important to arrange for ‘seedless’ stickers to be placed on the fruit. So before planting them, make sure that your customers are willing to pay the much higher price that these watermelons command. At the same time, the seed is substantially more expensive. Ensure to maintain the temperature above 75° during germination and transplant the seedlings after they grow over 6 to 9 inches. ![]() You get fewer plants from seedless watermelon seed. Generally, to grow seedless Watermelon seeds, scrape the coat slightly, soak them in water and sow them about 2 to 4 inches deep in well-draining loose soil. Here, they can receive optimal germinating conditions.Įxcessive moisture during germination or less than-ideal temperatures can lead to losses, which can prove costly with this expensive seed. Seedless watermelons are more difficult to germinate and have lower seedling vigour than normal diploid watermelons, so it’s far better to plant their seed in seed trays. These may be repotted in a one gallon pot but 2 gallon would probab. Belinda F1 Seedless Mini Watermelon Seed Deep red colour, firmness and concentrated flavour Vigourous Seedless variety Avg field weight: 1.8-2.3kg Avg. Maybe 2yrs old 25 plus shipping which in Florida should be around 8 but will have to weight them to be sure. Make sure, too, that there is a market for the pollinator. Finally, ensure that the pollinator variety has a distinctly different appearance to the other watermelons to avoid confusion during harvesting, as they’re harvested separately. I have 5 extra Chambeyronia macrocarpa var. Some pollinators are better than others, and may produce more male flowers.Īsk for guidance when buying your seed. The pollinator variety must flower just before the seedless variety to ensure sufficient and timely pollination. Plant a pollinator variety at each end of the land, then alternate two rows of the seedless variety with one row of normal diploids. Seedless watermelons (triploids) must be planted with normal diploid watermelons to ensure enough pollen, as seedless varieties produce little or no pollen. ![]()
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