WATER MELON - CRIMSON SWEET

Organic Watermelon Crimson Sweet

          10 Seeds Pack    

Watermelon Crimson Sweet is a highly productive variety, prized for its large, round fruits and exceptional sweetness. Its attractive outer skin features alternating light and dark green stripes, while the flesh inside is a brilliant pink-red with a delightfully sweet flavour and high sugar content. This variety is well-regarded for its resistance to common diseases and performs well in warm summer climates. In central and northern Europe, cultivation in a cold greenhouse is recommended for optimal results. If needed, manual pollination can further enhance fruit production. 

Crimson Sweet watermelons can grow impressively large, with fruits often exceeding 10 kg (22 lbs). On average, the melons weigh between 9 and 11 kg (20-25 lbs) and are oval-shaped with smooth, striped rinds. The flesh is vibrant red, juicy, and nearly seedless, making it an ideal choice for fresh consumption. 

To encourage the growth of large, high-quality fruits, snip off the heads of the plants after the development of the fourth true leaf. This pruning method helps focus the plant’s energy on producing hefty, flavourful melons. With good care and warm conditions, fruits are typically ready for harvest approximately 85 days after seeding. 

                                                                                                                 PLANTING&GROWING

Before planting, it's important to soak the seeds for at least a few hours, preferably overnight. Additionally, to prevent damping off when starting seeds indoors, it's crucial to disinfect all pots, plastic grow trays, seed cells, and seedling tray covers before reusing them.

This particular plant thrives in warm climates with moderate humidity, making it ideal for winter planting in tropical regions and early summer planting in temperate zones. While watermelons don't favour extreme heat, they are more tolerant of high temperatures than cold ones and cannot withstand frost. Given the Sugar Baby variety's shorter growing period of around 80 days and its ability to tolerate slightly cooler conditions, starting seeds outdoors is an option, allowing for cultivation in a broader range of climates.

Melons are considered tender plants requiring warmth for germination and growth. Begin planting seeds in mid- to late April, sowing two seeds per small pot at a depth of 1.5cm (½in). To facilitate germination, maintain a temperature of 18-21°C (64-70°F), which may necessitate the use of a heated propagator.

When planting, ensure adequate spacing between plants, with a minimum of 90cm (3ft) apart for trailing varieties and 45cm (18in) apart for those grown with supports. Alternatively, try growing melons in large containers or growing bags at least 45cm (18in) wide and deep, ideally positioned in warm, sunny areas such as courtyards or patios, though fruit production may be challenging.

To maintain soil health and prevent disease, refrain from planting cucurbit family plants in the same plot consecutively for at least three years.

Melons thrive in the company of corn, peas, beans, sunflowers, nasturtiums, oregano, radishes, and beets. However, it's best to avoid planting them alongside potatoes.