Watermelons are botanically part of the cucurbit family (Cucurbitaceae), which is why the plants grow very similarly to pumpkins. In a warm location, the shoots can show amazing growth during the summer season.
How does a watermelon grow?
Watermelons grow creeping on the ground or climbing upwards, require a lot of warmth and light and should be grown in pots in spring. Varieties such as Crimson Sweet and Sugar Baby are suitable for cultivation in Europe.
Appearance and growing season of watermelon
The watermelon plants grow with their long tendrils crawling along the ground, but they also climb upwards if they find a suitable trellis, net or other climbing option. The main principle is always to be able to absorb as much sunlight and therefore energy as possible with the large leaves. In contrast to pumpkin leaves, the leaves of the plants are pinnate, but otherwise resemble them in growth habit and size. Due to their origins in African areas, watermelons require a lot of heat and light. Therefore, in this country they ideally have to be grown in a pot on the windowsill in spring if they are to produce fully ripe fruits outdoors by late summer or autumn.
Different varieties for different growing locations
Even though there are hundreds of varieties of watermelon around the world, the Crimson Sweet and Sugar Baby varieties have been particularly established for commercial cultivation. Due to its high weight of up to 15 kilograms per fruit, the former variety is usually only sold in the following European countries:
- Italy
- Spain
- Hungary
- Türkiye
The smaller Sugar Baby variety can be found in stores almost all year round as an imported fruit. It is also perfect for growing in a greenhouse, as the plants can grow upwards and the small fruits can also ripen hanging from it.
Prefer and plant out melon plants
So that the young watermelon plants can be planted from May, the seeds should be sown around mid-April at room temperature. Sowing in rottable seed pots (€8.00 on Amazon) is ideal, as the roots of the young plants are very sensitive and can be protected when planting out.
Tips & Tricks
Although watermelons are often considered a fruit due to their sweet taste, botanically they are actually a vegetable due to the annual death of all parts of the plant.
