Watermelon, 'Little Darling', F1 Hybrid

Germination

Sow indoors April-May. Sow 20mm deep into an 8cm pot of moist, well-drained seed compost. Keep moist. Place in a propagator or seal in a polythene bag until germination occurs. Keep at 21-25°C at all times. When seedlings are large enough to handle transplant to 13cm pots. Grow on at 15°C approx. under glass or plant out once soil has warmed in mid May and all danger of frost has passed with 200cm spacing. Melons needs warmth and are typically best grown under glass in diffuse light. Can be sown directly from late May with varying results.

Growing

Prefers well-drained rich soil which is warm and continually moist, not wet. A minimum temp. of 15°C is required. A glasshouse or poly tunnel is ideal. Can be grown in a grow bag, 2 plants per bag or in a 15-20L pot. Can be grown outside in warmer sites. The plant can be left to ramble but may also be trained to a wigwam to keep the fruit off the ground. Top dress with compost to retain moisture. If leaves start to yellow use a liquid tomato fertiliser. Feed weekly once fruits start to form. Lay straw down to protect fruit if not trained off the ground. Shade plants from very strong, direct sunlight. As flowers develop select 4 or 5 female flowers and hand pollinate these by placing a male flower inside each female bloom. A female melon flower has a swollen part at the base of the bloom. Once 4-5 fruits have set per plant remove further flowers. This will allow the plant to put all its efforts into growing strong, viable fruits.

Cultivation

Reduce watering about 1 week prior to harvest to give sweet fruit. The fruit should make a hollow sound when tapped. The curly tendril near the Watermelons stem should also have dried out when the fruit is ready to harvest, when ready to harvest the fruit may also crack near to the stem. ripe fruit should smell sweet also. Use a knife to cut the fruit cleanly from the vine.