7 Watermelon Growing Stages: From Seed to Harvest

JustPureGardening.com

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Growing watermelons can be a fun and rewarding experience, but it requires patience, care, and attention. Understanding the watermelon growing stages is essential for a successful harvest.

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Watermelon seeds are usually planted in late spring when the soil is warm. Plant the seeds in a location with full sun exposure and enough space for the plants to spread out.

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Stage 1. Planting Seeds

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Once the seeds have been planted, germination will take 5 to 10 days. Seeds will emerge and gradually sprout two oval-shaped leaves, which look very similar to cucumber or pumpkin.

Stage 2. Germination

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After two weeks, vines will emerge from the plant’s stem. Watermelons have long vines, reaching 10 feet (3 meters) long, depending on the variety.

Stage 3. Vine Growth

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Stage 4. Flower Blossom

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As the watermelon plant grows, yellow petal flowers will appear between the stems and runner vines. Female flowers will have a tiny fruit behind them, while male flowers won’t.

Stage 5. Pollination

Beneficial insects such as bees, butterflies, and other pollinators play a key role in transferring pollen from male to female flowers, which is necessary for fruit formation.

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Stage 6.  Fruit Development

After successful pollination, the watermelons develop, and the fruits grow larger. The time depends on the watermelon variety but usually takes 70 to 90 days.

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