You should plant watermelons early enough in this country so that they can produce ripe fruits before autumn in the European climate. In principle, cultivation in pots on balconies and terraces is also possible.
Can you plant watermelons in a pot?
Watermelons can be cultivated successfully in pots by growing them early, watering them sufficiently and choosing the right location. To do this, choose a large pot with water-retaining substrate and place it in a partially shaded location.
Growing plants from seeds
So that the young watermelon plants can be placed outdoors in frost-free night temperatures from May onwards, the watermelon seeds should be sown on the windowsill or in the greenhouse about four weeks beforehand. However, young watermelon plants are usually rather sensitive to pricking out due to their very tender roots. It is therefore advantageous to sow several seeds in the large, final pot and to leave only the strongest plants after germination. In addition, young plants grown indoors should first be accustomed to the sunlight outdoors for a few hours a day before placing them completely in the blazing sun.
Enough watering for he althy plants and plump fruits
The advantage of growing watermelons in pots is that the plants receive more heat when grown in this way than when planted in a bed. However, the roots in the pot should not be heated too much or dried out. Therefore, on the one hand, you should choose the pot large enough and, on the other hand, consider a partially shady location behind a balcony railing or on a terrace wall. During the summer, ensure daily watering or watering with a pot saucer, as the plants in the pot are exposed to a lot of water evaporation, especially in warm winds. Just like pumpkins, melons also need a lot of water before the harvest season so that plump and tasty fruits can form.
Choose the right location for the pot
So that the watermelons in the pot are not literally scorched by the sun, they should be placed on the side of walls and parapets facing away from the sun. The long shoots of a pot placed in the shade can also grow up sunny railings and trellises and thus generate a lot of energy for the fruit's fructose. Pay attention to the pot:
- a substrate that stores as much water as possible
- the use of ceramic pots (€25.00 on Amazon) instead of plastic or metal
- a saucer for watering in stock
Tips & Tricks
If the seeds cannot be grown straight away in a large pot, sowing them in spring pots or rottable seed pots is also an option. These can then be completely inserted into the larger pot without damaging the watermelon roots.
