We have watermelon plants that have not grown much, i water every day, am i watering too much?

Question

We were watering 2 times a day but cut back to 1, we live in northern Nevada, are we still watering too much?

Answer 1

Yes! Watermelons do not like to be watered too much! Try once a week.

Answer 2

Try using some Miracle Gro in solution every two weeks

Answer 3

Yes you are. Plants from the melon family do not like their feet too wet. The ground beneath them needs to dry out before any more water is given. A good thorough soaking twice a week should suffice, even in the dry arid region of Northern Nevada. If you can get some good organic compost, spread it around the surface of the plants next to the stem (melons like organic matter). A little tip for your benefit.. is during the last stages of fruit development, when the melons are about 3 -4 weeks from harvest, stop watering them altogether. By not giving them any moisture during this time, it will cause the plant to produce sucrose in the fruit, and make it very sweet and juicy at harvest time. The plant with wither and sort of dry out, but the melons will continue to ripen on the vine. Hope this has been of some help to you and good luck and happy eating...

...Billy Ray

Answer 4

Have you given your plants any fertilizer?  For the melons to develop fruit they need phosphorus, and they also need bees to polinate the flowers.

If the soil is dry then by all means give the soil some water but I'm wondering if perhaps the melons aren't getting enough sun?

Answer 5

I grew a Charleston Grey once

the average watermelon weighs from 25 to 30 pounds mine was a record 52 pounds.  I would mix miracle gro  in a milk (2 teaspoons per gallon )jug with a small hole in the bottom and to the side, I set it by the main vine and did this about 2 or 3 times a week..I also turned it and patted it and told it I love it.  It must have worked!

I took it around for all of the neighbors to view and then I chilled it and we ate it, they all agreed It is what everyone wants when eating a watermelon perfect flesh and sweet beyond belief.

Not very scientific but it sure works.....

Now for the science end of it

Watering  

Watering is critical in growing watermelons. The key time to water is from the time the fruit begins to form until it is half-grown. (((((Excessive watering too close to harvesting of watermelon will reduce the sugar content and cause the fruit to have hollow centers.)))) ***it also prevents sweetness of the melon.****

Below is a good link with lots of information about growing them.

http://www.geocities.com/green_cache/wat...

Good Luck!