Content
- Sow the seeds of the watermelon properly
- The cultural and historical significance of the seeds of watermelons
- Select suitable seed for cultivation
- Prefer the plants and plant them gently
- Tips & Tricks
Sow the seeds of the watermelon properly
Meanwhile, watermelons can be found almost all year round in the trade, which is especially true for the easier to transport, small-fruited variety Sugar Baby. But you can also plant the tasty fruits in a warm location in the garden.
The cultural and historical significance of the seeds of watermelons
The watermelon belongs botanically to the so-called cucurbits (Cucurbitaceae), as it is closely related to the pumpkins and this looks relatively similar to the growth of their tendrils. The origins of the plant can be traced back to West Africa, where there is still a wild archetype today with the so-called Tsamma melon. But by no means does it have as sweet a pulp as the watermelon we know. It has, however, contributed to the spread of melons around the world that, despite a rather bitter taste a few centuries ago by sailors as provisions for longer passages were taken. This was due to the richness of the core of these early watermelons, because from the kernels you could prepare nutritious food and grind it into flour. Thus, the watermelon found early distribution in Egypt, Persia and Asia Minor.
Select suitable seed for cultivation
When selling seed, the specialist trade is usually guided by the cultivation of watermelons on the standard varieties of commercial trade. These are the Crimson Sweet with its huge fruits and the smaller, but also slightly sweeter tasting Sugar Baby. The seeds can also be taken from commercially available fruits, as long as they are not seedless cultivated forms. The following steps must be followed:
Only well-cleaned seeds of the watermelon survive the storage period and the germination phase without becoming moldy.
Prefer the plants and plant them gently
From mid-April on, pull the seeds on the windowsill in loose, nutrient-rich soil so that you can plant them in frost-free temperatures in May. So that you do not injure the sensitive roots, it is advisable to sow two or three seeds each in a pot or in another decomposable pot.
Tips & Tricks
Make sure that hybrid varieties are usually not suitable for further breeding over subsequent generations.
WK