Vine - ripen watermelons are a clear confirmation that summer has arrived . plant life stress such as pests , leaf diseases and poor nourishment will affect the wellness and taste of watermelons . harmonize to the University of Minnesota , irregular watering formula alter the tone of sugar and make watermelon to part on the vine before maturing .
Water Melons Deeply
Watermelons need gravid drinks of water , at least 1 to 2 inches thick , hebdomadary . Shallow lachrymation that only wets the soil can cause fruit rot and other unsightly blemishes . Watermelon deprived of sufficient body of water when fruits are young may develop flower end rot or end up modest and malformed . Blossom end putrefaction is triggered by calcium deficiency . hold water levels frees calcium to be used by the plants . Drip irrigation is recommended to rescue water to plants without will the grime soggy .
Water Melons Infrequently
No matter how hot the weather stick , day-by-day watering is counterproductive to watermelon product . watermelon vine roots reach far into the soil , which make them a drought - resistant yield . Native to Africa , watermelon do considerably in dry and fond weather . After the craw is established , watermelons can go for week without watering . At times , this is done purposefully to encourage abstruse root growth in younger plant life .
Mulch to Conserve Moisture
Mulch prevents weeds and conserves moisture during drought periods . Apply mulch before watermelons look , to avoid handling the small fruit . Spread hay , straw or jam leaves 6 inch thick-skulled over the whole watermelon vine plot . Pile mulch around the root word of each industrial plant . melon consume a great plenty of soil nutrients . Compost mulch helps furnish additional food . A good time to mulch is when the ground is ardent and the soil latterly soaked by irrigation or rain .
Water Reduction Prior to Ripening
Timing is crucial when growing melons . Water can be the enemy of fruit about to age . Consistent , even irrigation is important in the last two workweek of watermelon growth . Over - irrigating before fruits become ripe can cause watermelons to separate on the vine . Heavy rain just before harvest is also a reason watermelons crack . According to the University of California Extension , as watermelon depart to mature they attain better flavor when watering is scale down .
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