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.

Guide botanique

Watermelon.

Citrullus lanatus

Prononciation sit-RULL-us la-NAY-tus

Aussi appelée Afghan-melon, Water Melon, Watermelon, bastard-melon, dessert watermelon

Watermelons are vining plants that produce large, sweet, juicy fruits. They love warm weather and plenty of space to sprawl across your garden. You will need a long, hot growing season to get the best harvest.

Une autre photo de Watermelon — Photo de Karim Haddad (CC BY) via iNaturalist

En un coup d'œil

Niveau d'entretien: Moyenne
Type de plante: Annual vegetable
Lumière: Full sun
Lumière en intérieur: Soleil direct
Arrosage: Tous les 2 à 4 jours
Taille adulte: 10 to 20 feet long
Croissance: Rapide
Rusticité: USDA 9 à 11
Floraison: Mid to late summer

Entretien

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.

Arrosage: Keep the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged during the active growth phase.
Engrais: Apply a balanced fertilizer early in the season and switch to a low nitrogen formula once flowers appear.
Taille: Trim back excessive vine growth if the plant is taking over your entire garden space.
Rempotage: Watermelons are annuals and are typically grown directly in the ground rather than in pots.
Sol: Well draining, sandy loam
pH du sol: 6.0 to 6.8
Température: 18 à 35°C
Humidité: 40 à 70%
Résistance à la sécheresse: Moyenne
Durée de vie: Annual, typically 1 growing season
Résistance aux chevreuils et lapins: Faible

Signes qu'il faut rempoter

Roots circling the bottom of the pot
Stunted growth despite regular feeding

Sécurité

Humains: The plant is generally non-toxic, but ingestion of large amounts of seeds may cause minor digestive discomfort.
Enfants: The large, heavy fruits can pose a crushing hazard if not properly supported on a trellis or stable ground.
Allergènes de contact: Some individuals may experience mild skin irritation from the fuzzy, bristly hairs on the stems and leaves.
Allergènes aéroportés: There is no significant evidence of respiratory allergies associated with this plant.
Comestibilité: While the flesh is delicious, avoid consuming the rind unless pickled or cooked, as it can be tough and difficult to digest.

Comment l'identifier

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

Hauteur: 0,3 à 0,5m
Envergure: 2 à 4m
Feuilles: green, deciduous
Fleurs: yellow, 2 à 4cm
Fruits: green, striped, red, yellow, Late summer to early autumn

Problèmes courants

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.

La cultiver

Multiplication: seed
Quand planter: Spring
Hivernage: This plant is an annual and will die with the first frost, so there is no need to overwinter it.
En pot: It grows well in large containers of at least 20 liters, provided you use a strong trellis for support.

Direct Sowing

Wait until the soil is warm and all danger of frost has passed.
Plant seeds 2 to 3 centimeters deep in mounds of rich, well-draining soil.
Space mounds at least 1 to 2 meters apart to allow for spreading vines.

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

Bonnes associations

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

À éloigner de

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

Espèces similaires

concombre — They share similar growth habits and pest vulnerabilities.

Science

Famille: Cucurbitaceae
Genre: Citrullus
Ordre: Cucurbitales
Classe: Magnoliopsida
Région d'origine: Tropical Africa
Préservation: 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.

Intérêt pour la faune: nectar source
Pollinisateurs: abeilles
Utilisations: culinary fruit, juicing, pickling

Au fil des saisons

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Floraison

Fructification

Feuillage

Repères écologiques

Salinité: 2/9
Réaction du sol: 6/9
Lumière: 8/9
Température: 8/9
Humidité: 6/9
Nutriments: 7/9

Taxonomie vérifiée avec le GBIF.

Ce qu'on demande souvent

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.

D'où vient le nom

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.

Bon à savoir

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.

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Cette page est un guide général. Pocket Botanist diagnostique les problèmes directement à partir d'une photo de ta plante, adapte l'arrosage à sa luminosité et te prévient quand il faut t'en occuper.

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Ce guide a été généré par IA et vérifié avec la taxonomie du GBIF. Il s'agit d'informations générales, et non de conseils horticoles ou vétérinaires. Découvre comment nous concevons ces guides.