Your comments and tips

26 Apr 20, Phillip Bellis (Australia - tropical climate)

We are having a watermelon growing comp. at a school just out of Darwin. Seedlings are just a week old in pots. When would be the best time/age of seedlings to transplant. Weather is warm at 32-35 C and dry but being watered 2x a day. Thanks

Reply or Post a new comment

27 Apr 20, Another gardener (Australia - tropical climate)

The leaves that come out on germination are called the cotyledons, then come the first true leaves. When you have the 3-4 set of true leaves transplant them. I grow things in 500gm margarine containers, when the seedlings have grown to the above stage (like about 100mm high and round) the soil in the container has lots of roots in it to hold the soil together when you take the plant out to transplant, try and keep that all in tact. Best to tip upside down into one hand gently. Don't over do the nitrogen - you will end up with a lot of vine.

Reply or Post a new comment

22 Apr 20, Lisa (Australia - temperate climate)

My daughter (7) planted her watermelons seeds several weeks ago and has been watering and tending to them ever since. Today, we noticed a little sprout- very surprising I have to say! Will this melon grow? If so, how long till we see a melon? We live in South West of western Australia

Reply or Post a new comment

22 Apr 20, Anon (Australia - sub-tropical climate)

Wrong time of the year to plant really, try spring time later this year. Some flowers will just be a flower (male), some will have a small melon on them(female). If the female flower is pollinated then the melon will grow, if not it will die. You can pollinate by hand. Read on the internet how to do it. Melons take about 3-4 weeks to grow and then 3-4 weeks to mature.

Reply or Post a new comment

16 Apr 20, Ms Wanderful (USA - Zone 9a climate)

What are the best melons to plant in zone 9a & 9b? And when in the season. Can I plant a melon in a container?

Reply or Post a new comment

11 Mar 20, Sandra (New Zealand - temperate climate)

Help, I planted some watermelon seeds and they have grown so well. Sadly there 13 plants that are so close together in the same pot, I now to worried if I move and replant them they will die. What should I do!

Reply or Post a new comment

11 Mar 20, Anon (New Zealand - sub-tropical climate)

Take the time to read how to grow things, like how far between plants, between rows, then plant seeds/seedlings accordingly. There is a reason for that, it gives the plant enough soil area to draw the nutrients to grow. The best time to transplant is when the plant is at about the 4-6 new leaf stage or in some cases about 4-6 weeks after germination. The longer you leave it the bigger the transplant shock or death. You be the judge.

Reply or Post a new comment

01 Mar 20, Kerrie (Australia - tropical climate)

A few weeks ago I harvested the last of my watermelon. I lost a few due to the rain and too much water. I live in the coastal area of Brisbane. A few plants have self seeded, is it too late for them to bare fruit ?

Reply or Post a new comment

02 Mar 20, Another gardener (Australia - sub-tropical climate)

My first time growing them this time of year. Mine are just starting to send runners out and I feel I maybe a bit late. The farmers around here (Bundy) planted out seedlings about a month - 6 weeks ago. You could try, depends on what the late Autumn early Winter is like, warm or cool.

Reply or Post a new comment

24 Feb 20, Juliet (New Zealand - cool/mountain climate)

Can it get too hot for watermelon plant to survive Tauranga NZ, weather gowing over concrete pavers and river stones ?

Reply or Post a new comment