Watermelons - Flowers

Question

I have been growing 10 watermelon vines for about 6 weeks now and all vines appear quite healthy (about as thick as a pencil) and lots of leaves. Lately, small Yellow flowers have begun to grow. They are in full bloom during the day, but seem to 'close up' in the evening hours.

Three questions -

1. Is this normal?

2. How soon should I be seeing male and female flowers begin to sprout?

3. How much longer before watermelons have a chance to begin growing?

My wife and I are extremely excited!

Thanks in advance!

Answer 1

All flowers on plants in the cucumber family close up at night, this is perfectly normal. those are probably the male flowers, they are in the first flush. You will probably see females further out on the vines very soon. You can tell the difference by looking at the base of the flowers, just under the petals. The females have what looks like a small green, hairy miniature melon and the males are just a run of the mill flower.

Answer 2

Normal.  Your fruit will come from those fertilized flowers!  You've got awhile yet.

Answer 3

While you have come up with a good question, I hope this will give you an answer. I searched watermelon flower and this turned up.

http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?...