Watermelon is an incredibly popular fruit, especially during the hot summer months. The juicy, sweet flesh of a ripe watermelon is a refreshing treat that many people enjoy. Growing your own watermelons can be a fun and rewarding experience, but it’s important to understand the different types of watermelon plants and their sizes before you start planting.
There are two main types of watermelon plants: vining and bush. Vining watermelons grow long vines that can stretch up to 20 feet long, while bush watermelons grow more compactly and don’t require as much space. Knowing which type of plant to choose will depend on where you plan to grow your watermelons and how much space you have available.
Vining watermelons are the traditional type of watermelon plant. They have long vines that can grow up to 20 feet long and require a lot of space to grow. These types of plants are best suited for large gardens or fields where they can be left to sprawl out.
If you’re planning on growing vining watermelons, make sure you have plenty of space available. These plants need at least 6 feet between each plant and plenty of room to spread out. Vining watermelons also need support, such as a trellis or fence, to climb on as they grow.
Bush watermelons are a newer type of watermelon plant that has been bred specifically for smaller gardens and containers. These plants are more compact than vining watermelons and don’t require as much space to grow. Bush watermelons typically only grow to be about 3-4 feet wide and tall.
If you’re planning on growing bush watermelons, you can plant them closer together than vining watermelons. These plants only need about 3 feet between each plant. They also don’t require support to grow, so you don’t need to worry about providing a trellis or fence.
When choosing which type of watermelon plant to grow, it’s important to consider how much space you have available, as well as how many watermelons you want to grow. If you have a large garden or field and want to grow a lot of watermelons, vining watermelons may be the best choice for you. However, if you have a smaller garden or want to grow watermelons in containers, bush watermelons may be the better option.
Another factor to consider when choosing the right size is how much time you’re willing to invest in growing your watermelons. Vining watermelons require more maintenance than bush watermelons, as they need support and more space to grow. If you’re short on time or don’t want to invest a lot of effort into growing your watermelons, bush watermelons may be the better choice.
Watermelon plants typically take between 70 and 90 days to reach maturity and produce fruit.
The number of watermelons a plant produces will depend on the type of plant, as well as growing conditions. On average, one vining watermelon plant can produce between 2 and 4 melons, while one bush watermelon plant can produce 1-2 melons.
Common problems when growing watermelons include pests such as aphids and cucumber beetles, diseases such as powdery mildew and fusarium wilt, and improper watering or fertilization.
The best way to tell when a watermelon is ripe is to look for a yellow spot on the bottom of the melon. This spot indicates that the watermelon has been sitting on the ground and ripening in the sun. Additionally, you can thump the watermelon and listen for a hollow sound, which indicates that it’s ripe.
Yes, bush watermelons are well-suited for growing in containers. Choose a large container with good drainage and plant one bush watermelon plant per container.