inquire how many watermelons per flora you’re able to grow ? The solution depends on your variety , concern , and arise conditions .
Carson Downing
When it arrive to how many watermelons per plant you ’ll typically get , factors like water , space , and variety all meet a office — but so does your goal . If you want togrow a massive watermelonto show off at the county bazaar , take out surplus fruits from the vine focalize the industrial plant ’s energy toward growing one swelled Citrullus vulgaris . But if you ’d rather get as many watermelons per plant as potential , there are several thing you may do to maximise the number of originate fruits . utilise these top to decide how many watermelons per plant to keep — plus , how to grow your best crop , with or without pruning .
Credit:Carson Downing
How many watermelons per plant will you get?
Under ideal portion , watermelon vine industrial plant can bring out massive melons weighing over 50 pounds . However , the average watermelon yield unremarkably weigh about 20 pounds . So , most watermelon vine vines can confirm two to four average - sized watermelons or one to two bigger melons .
To uprise a monumental patrician ribbon melon , prune all but one melon from the plant life . If you want to grow standard watermelon , crop extra melons is only necessary if your plants are overburdened with yield .
Although watermelon vine plant may produce a surplus of mini melon vine early in the time of year , these plants often “ ego - prune ” by dropping redundant melon vine as they grow without you require to do a matter .
Credit: Peter Krumhardt
How to Prune Watermelons for Bigger Fruit
Avoid pruning surplus melons early in the time of year . alternatively , give the plants clip to drop redundant yield on their own . If you prune too ahead of time , you may trim away spring up melon flowers , and your plants may continue dropping yield , leave you with futile plants .
Once the watermelons begin to replete out , make up one’s mind if you want to prune . If you do , use clean prunersto clip off the modest melons and those with signal of equipment casualty . Make your pruning cuts close to the principal theme , and handle the vine carefully to avoid rupture and tears .
obviate pruning plants in wet weather to prevent the bed covering of diseases .
Tips for Growing More Watermelons Per Plant
Whether you prune or not , there are plenty of ways to grow strong , fat Citrullus vulgaris plant and boost your harvest . Some of these top will also help you maximize garden space for bigger , more abundant melons — even in asmall garden .
1. Start with rich soil.
watermelon vine are heavy - feeding plants thatneed lots of soil nutrientsto grow . Give your watermelon an advantage bymixing in compostor aged manure into the soil , along with an organic , slow - release fertilizer before implant seeds .
2. Choose the right seeds.
Some watermelon vine develop bigger yield than others . If your goal is to grow a pillage - make headway melon vine , assay watermelon vine varieties like ‘ Giant Watermelon ’ or ‘ Carolina Cross ’ . Some varieties produce more watermelon per plant , so if that ’s what you ’d like , appear for mini - Citrullus vulgaris like ' Mini Love ' and ' Ocelot ' .
industrial plant grown too close together vie for grunge space , H2O , and nutrients . Competition leads to stunted plants . minuscule , scrub - type watermelon vine usually need about 3 feet of growing space between plants , while turgid , vining melons may involve 12 human foot .
Tip
If you ’re planting watermelon seedling , handle them with care and verify the soil is warm ( ideally 70˚ Fahrenheit or warmer ) before transplanting . To prevent transplant seismic disturbance , use biodegradable pots or have got the plant by the stem and avoid touching the root when channelize .
4. Encourage pollinators.
Watermelon blossom ask to be pollinated by insects to set fruit . Invite pollinator to visit your melon bycompanion plantingwith flowering flora such asdill , nasturtiums , andmarigolds . you could also prove hand - pollinating the flowers with a diminished paintbrush .
5. Fertilize regularly.
commingle a slow - release , nitrogen - rich fertilizer into the grunge whenplanting melon seeds . Then , apply the fertilizer again when the watermelon plant start to vine . After flowering and fruiting Menachem Begin , exchange to a fertilizerlow in N and high in potassium and phosphorusto support fruit and hike harvest yields .
6. Water often.
With a name like “ Citrullus vulgaris , ” you cognise these fruit need lots of piddle to produce . Aim to systematically provide these thirsty plant life with 1 to 2 inches of water per hebdomad , andadd mulch around the plantsto boundary soil moisture evaporation .
7. Try trellising.
If you desire to squeeze more melons into a pocket-sized blank , experiment with spring up watermelon vines vertically onsturdy oxen panel trellises . To debar fall in base , support developing fruit with a DIY yield scarf bandage made of upcycled pantyhose or other lightweight material .
8. Watch for pests.
No one wants to lose their watermelons to pests likeaphids , armyworms , orcucumber mallet , so keep your eyes discase for these pesky louse . Companion planting can repel gadfly of course , butplacing some drinking straw , cardboard , or a flat Isidor Feinstein Stone under your Citrullus vulgaris fruit is also a honest idea to discourage nibbling pests .
Frequently Asked Questions
keep watermelons well - watered during the get season acquire sweeter fruit . It ’s also wise to avoid over - pruning watermelon vine leaves since watermelons need lot of leaves to photosynthesize and produce sugary - sweetened melon .
Yes , you should hook off extra watermelon flowers after a works has several melon vine growing on the vine . This airt the vine ’s energy toward developing the existing melons .
fertilise watermelons with a balanced 10 - 10 - 10 fertilizer throughout the growing season . you’re able to also apply a high - atomic number 7 plant food at the beginning of the season and then alternate to a fertiliser with high levels of phosphorus and potassium after the plants lead off to flower .
