Watermelon.

De un vistazo

Nivel de cuidados

Media

Tipo de planta

Annual vegetable

Luz

Full sun

Luz en interior

Sol directo

Riego

Cada 2 a 4 días

Tamaño adulto

10 to 20 feet long

Ritmo de crecimiento

Rápido

Rusticidad

USDA 9 a 11

Floración

Mid to late summer

Cuidados

Provide consistent moisture while the fruit is developing, but reduce watering as harvest approaches to concentrate sweetness. Watch for powdery mildew on the leaves and ensure the vines have plenty of room to spread. Harvest when the underside of the melon turns from white to a creamy yellow.

Riego

Keep the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged during the active growth phase.

Abonado

Apply a balanced fertilizer early in the season and switch to a low nitrogen formula once flowers appear.

Poda

Trim back excessive vine growth if the plant is taking over your entire garden space.

Trasplante

Watermelons are annuals and are typically grown directly in the ground rather than in pots.

Suelo

Well draining, sandy loam

pH del suelo

6.0 to 6.8

Temperatura

18 a 35°C

Humedad

40 a 70%

Tolerancia a la sequía

Moderada

Longevidad

Annual, typically 1 growing season

Resistencia a ciervos y conejos

Baja

Seguridad

Personas

The plant is generally non-toxic, but ingestion of large amounts of seeds may cause minor digestive discomfort.

Niños

The large, heavy fruits can pose a crushing hazard if not properly supported on a trellis or stable ground.

Alérgenos por contacto

Some individuals may experience mild skin irritation from the fuzzy, bristly hairs on the stems and leaves.

Alérgenos en el aire

There is no significant evidence of respiratory allergies associated with this plant.

Comestibilidad

While the flesh is delicious, avoid consuming the rind unless pickled or cooked, as it can be tough and difficult to digest.

Cómo identificarla

• Large, lobed, hairy green leaves
• Long, trailing, vining stems
• Yellow, funnel shaped flowers
• Large, round or oval striped fruit
• Sweet, red or pink flesh

Altura

0,3 a 0,5m

Anchura

2 a 4m

Hojas

green, deciduous

Flores

yellow, 2 a 4cm

Frutos

green, striped, red, yellow, Late summer to early autumn

Problemas frecuentes

• Powdery mildew — A fungal infection that creates a white, dusty appearance on the leaves.
• Aphids — Small insects that suck sap from new growth and can transmit viruses.

Cómo cultivarla

Propagación

seed

Cuándo plantar

Spring

Cuidados en invierno

This plant is an annual and will die with the first frost, so there is no need to overwinter it.

En maceta

It grows well in large containers of at least 20 liters, provided you use a strong trellis for support.

Planting aromatic herbs like dill nearby can help mask the scent of the vines from pests.

Buenas compañeras

• Radish — Radishes can help deter cucumber beetles that often plague watermelons.
• Capuchina Común — These flowers act as a trap crop for aphids and attract beneficial pollinators.

Mantenla lejos de

• Potato — Potatoes compete heavily for soil nutrients and can harbor blight that affects cucurbits.

Especies parecidas

• pepino — They share similar growth habits and pest vulnerabilities.

Ciencia

Familia

Cucurbitaceae

Género

Citrullus

Orden

Cucurbitales

Clase

Magnoliopsida

Distribución natural

Tropical Africa

Conservación

This species is widely cultivated and not of conservation concern.

It thrives in hot, sunny environments with well-draining soil and relies on bees for pollination.

Valor para la fauna

nectar source

Polinizadores

abejas

Usos

culinary fruit, juicing, pickling

Taxonomía cotejada con GBIF.

Lo que más preguntan

How do I know when a watermelon is ripe?

Look for the field spot on the bottom to turn creamy yellow and the tendril near the stem to dry out.

Can I grow these in containers?

Yes, but you need a very large container and a sturdy trellis to support the heavy fruit.

De dónde viene el nombre

The name Citrullus is a diminutive of Citrus, referring to the fruit's resemblance to a small orange, while lanatus means woolly, describing the fine hairs on the stems.

Bueno saberlo

• Watermelons are roughly 92 percent water.
• The heaviest watermelon on record weighed over 350 pounds.
• Ancient Egyptians placed watermelons in tombs to provide nourishment in the afterlife.