How can I help this grow
Last watered 1 week ago
1
Hi Jess- so growing Watermelon inside- I’ve never heard of that. Watermelon need LOTS of direct sunlight, LOTS of water, and Pollinators to help it grow. Here’s some good info off of Google: “Caring for watermelons requires full sun (8+ hours daily) and consistently moist but not waterlogged soil. Provide 1 to 2 inches of water weekly (more during heatwaves), use organic mulch to retain moisture, and apply a balanced, low-nitrogen fertilizer like a 5-5-5 once blossoms appear.Watering and FeedingWatermelon plants have high moisture needs, requiring about 1 to 2 inches of water per week. However, aim to water deeply at the base of the plant rather than overhead to avoid leaf diseases. You can use a drip irrigation system to maintain even soil moisture. Apply a layer of mulch (like straw or wood chips) around the base to retain moisture and suppress weeds.Watermelons are heavy feeders. Use a balanced, all-purpose organic fertilizer at transplant time, and feed again when the vines start to run. Once flowering begins, switch to a phosphorus and potassium-heavy fertilizer (avoiding excessive nitrogen, which will only grow leaves instead of fruit).Pruning and Fruit CareFor the largest and sweetest watermelons, limit fruit production to 1 or 2 melons per vine. Pinch off excess lateral vines and remove smaller, late-season melons so the plant can direct all its energy into maturing the best fruit before the weather cools. Place a piece of wood, cardboard, or a shallow container under developing melons to keep them off damp soil, which prevents rot and pests. If you are growing vertically, support heavy melons with a garden netting sling or ripped pantyhose.HarvestingWatermelons generally take 80 to 100 days to mature, depending on the variety. Stop watering the plants 10 to 14 days before harvest; this concentrates the sugars, making the fruit sweeter. You will know a watermelon is ripe when the curly tendril near the stem turns brown and dry, the "belly" (the part touching the ground) turns from white to a creamy yellow, and the fruit gives off a dull, hollow sound when tapped. The photoa are of my Canteloupe which I started from seeds on May 5th or so. Pretty much the same growing care.
