Your comments and tips

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.

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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

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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.

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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 ?

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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.

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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 ?

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25 Feb 20, Anon (Australia - sub-tropical climate)

Growing them over concrete or river stone could do damage to the vines if it is very hot.

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14 Jan 20, Dale gibson (New Zealand - sub-tropical climate)

Hi there ,I planted my watermelon seed in early November and surprisingly they germinated within 2 to 3 weeks ,..6 weeks on an the growth is very slow...it is mid January 2020 I live tolaga bay east coast nz ...weather climate is warm and hopefully will continue threw to march ...have I left it to late.. let me no. regards

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15 Jan 20, Another gardener (Australia - sub-tropical climate)

I'm sub-tropical Qld - they plant seedlings here late august and pick the melons up until Xmas. Planting later leaves you wide open to heavy rain, hot weather. A lot of rain when the melons are fully developed and they can/will split. Water melon seeds I threw in the garden in Oct germinated within 2-3 weeks. Here you can grow a spring and autumn crop. I would suggest you planted too late. If not growing I don't think the soil is very fertile.

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16 Nov 19, Anne Hay (Australia - temperate climate)

What sort of of soil should be used for growing watermelon. Should they be grown in the sun or shade and what do you feed them please.

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