How to grow melon

Refreshing, low in calories, and rich in health benefits, it's also perfect for tanning: it contains a lot of beta-carotene. Spring is the ideal season to grow it.

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how to grow melon
Melon grows well in a place very sunny, warm and sheltered, because it's a heat-demanding plant. The key to growing melons is not to let the plant dry out completely while the fruit is growing and developing.

Only in the last few days before harvesting, reducing the water (without letting the plant wither) helps the sugars to concentrate.

But let's look in detail at the secrets to growing melons well.

  • Semina 

Sow 4-5 seeds in the soil, then keep only the two plants that have held up best during germination. Plant outdoors when the soil is well warmed, spacing the seedlings 80 centimeters apart in rows 2 meters apart. Sowing should be done between March and April in a protected environment; directly into the ground from April to May , once there is no longer any risk of frost.

Land

It should be cool, but not excessively humid. It should be low in acidity and well-tilled. As for fertilization, the site should be well fertilized with manure in the fall before planting.

Cure

Protect the plants with an open tunnel or cloches, and keep only one fruit per flush. Store the fruit under cloches to help them ripen. If the melons are grown on vines, use netting to support them and prevent them from breaking the stem. Also, place them on a tile or brick to prevent them from rotting when in contact with damp soil.

Collection

Expect it when the bark begins to crack around the stalk. This occurs, depending on the climate, 90-110 days after planting and continues for about two to three weeks.

The ideal time for harvesting depends on the variety. Generally, the melon is ready when:

  • develops the characteristic perfume;
  • the color of the peel changes;
  • the area around the stalk begins to show signs of ripening;
  • in the “netted” varieties the net on the skin is well developed.

How to grow melon in a pot

Finally, for pot cultivation, the same instructions apply as for growing in the ground. Plant the melon seedlings from mid-April onwards and use large pots that are at least 3 inches deep.or 40-45. Place a layer of clay on the bottom and fill them with soil enriched with a handful of well-rotted manure. Water the seedlings regularly with generous amounts of water, but avoid letting the water stagnate in the saucer, especially if the fruit is ripening.

How many melons does a plant produce?

Typically, one melon plant produces about 2–5 good-quality melons.

It depends a lot on the variety and growing conditions:

  • Not very vigorous plant: 1–2 fruits
  • Well grown plant: 3–5 fruits
  • Optimal conditions: even 5–8 fruits, but often more fruits means smaller or less sweet melons.

A melon plant, if well cared for, can produce up to four fruits per season, for an average weight of about 1,2 kilograms.

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