All watermelons are harvested by hand. Workers initially go through the field and cut the watermelons from the vine that are ready for harvest and then the harvesting crew returns to harvest all of the cut watermelons.
Where are watermelons harvested?
Production
| Watermelon production, 2020 (millions of tonnes) | |
|---|---|
| China | 60.1 |
| Turkey | 3.49 |
| India | 2.79 |
| Iran | 2.74 |
What is the process of watermelon?
It takes about three months to grow to full maturity. The first two months are comprised of the plant sprouting, vining, and flowering. It is only the last month of growth that the actual fruit will develop. You can expect to be able to harvest at about three months from planting the seed.
How are watermelons grown commercially?
Commercially produced watermelons (seeded and seedless) are generally started as transplants in the greenhouse 18-24 days prior to planting in the field. However, growing seedless watermelon transplants is more difficult than growing seeded varieties because of difficulties in germinating the seed.
What month are watermelons harvested?
Watermelon season runs throughout the summer (May to September). The exact months may vary depending on where you live. The geographical area plays a big role in determining the watermelon season.
What month is watermelon season?
The best time for grocery store watermelons is when they’re in season. From May to September, stores will be supplied with melons at their peak from Florida, Georgia, Indiana, Texas, and California; these melons travel shorter distances than their off-season stand-ins, so they’re fresher when they get to you.
How long does it take to harvest a watermelon?
between 70 and 100 days
About Watermelons
Depending on the variety of watermelon, it can take between 70 and 100 days to go from planting to harvest.
Is watermelon a real fruit?
watermelon, (Citrullus lanatus), succulent fruit and vinelike plant of the gourd family (Cucurbitaceae), native to tropical Africa and cultivated around the world. The fruit contains vitamin A and some vitamin C and is usually eaten raw. The rind is sometimes preserved as a pickle.
Is watermelon Man made?
As generations of people selectively planted seeds from fruits that were larger and tastier, they created the sweet, red watermelon we know today.
How do you get fruit from a watermelon?
Watermelons need three or four months of truly warm weather to set fruit, and each plant can be expected to produce two to four melons in a season. When fruits fail to appear although the plant seems healthy, faulty pollination is usually the culprit.
How many seeds are in a watermelon hole?
How many watermelon seeds do I plant per hole? 2 to 3 seeds are sown per hole. Few weeks after germination, only single, healthy seedling is allowed to grow at one spot & other slow growing seedlings are thinned out.
How are seedless watermelons made?
To produce a seedless watermelon, a chemical process is used to double the number of chromosomes. So, 22 chromosomes are doubled to 44, called a tetraploid. Then, the pollen from a diploid is placed on the female flower of the plant with 44 chromosomes.
Which state grows the most watermelon?
Florida
Florida surpasses all other States as the main supplier of U.S. watermelons, accounting for total production of 907 million pounds, or 25 percent of domestic supplies in 2019.
Why are watermelons so expensive?
Out of every 100 watermelons arriving to the packing plant, a very high percentage ends up discarded after not meeting the quality selection criteria.” Prices at origin have skyrocketed due to the lack of supply – especially of large sizes – and the good demand.
What state grows the best watermelon?
Florida has historically been the top producer of watermelons and accounted for 19 percent of the 3.9 billion pounds of U.S. watermelon production in 2012.
Are watermelon good for you?
Watermelon — which can actually be considered a fruit or a vegetable, according to the National Watermelon Promotion Board — is incredibly nutritious, too. Nutritionists say watermelon is low in calories and sugar and chock-full of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants, making it a great addition to a healthy diet.
Why is my watermelon white inside?
Cross-Pollination
If you buy seed from an unreliable nursery, or are new to saving your own seeds, you may mistakenly grow the offspring of a red-fleshed watermelon that has cross-pollinated with a citron melon — the watermelon with the hard, white flesh that cannot be eaten fresh.
How do you tell if a watermelon is sweet or ripe?
The darker yellow field spot usually means it was on the vine longer and is full of flavor. If the field spot is white that’s a sign that the melon is not quite ripe. Larger “webbing” or “sugar spots” means that the melon is seeping out sugar and is usually the sign of sweet melon.
Is watermelon OK to eat at night?
Even healthy foods like tomatoes and watermelons should be avoided before sleeping.
What is the sweetest watermelon?
WSU found that the personal watermelon with the highest Brix value is the Pony Yellow, a lovely yellow-fleshed melon that scores a sugary 12.3 Brix. The icebox category tops out with another yellow-fleshed melon called Super Gold, which achieves a 12.8 Brix.
How long does a watermelon keep?
Whole watermelons keep for approximately a week at room temperature and two weeks in the refrigerator. In the fridge, cut watermelon will last between 3 and 5 days. Make sure it’s tightly wrapped, so it doesn’t dry out. Freeze watermelon only if you can utilize it frozen, such as infusing water or making a smoothie.
Elvira Bowen is a food expert who has dedicated her life to understanding the science of cooking. She has worked in some of the world’s most prestigious kitchens, and has published several cookbooks that have become bestsellers. Elvira is known for her creative approach to cuisine, and her passion for teaching others about the culinary arts.