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Watermelon

Watermelon

January 2025 | Written by: New Castle County Master Gardeners Rick Judd and Gail Hermenaus

 

General information

  • Citrullus lanatus, Watermelon
  • Cucurbitaceae family
  • Sunlight: full sun.
  • Soil conditions: well drained, fertile soil.
  • Heat loving, vining plant.

Successful cultivars

  • Crimson Sweet (85 days) Classic large watermelon, dark and light green stripes. Sweet pink flesh.
  • Sugar Baby (72 days) Round, 7-8" diameter.
  • Orange Crisp (87 days) Seedless, orange flesh. 11" round green fruit with dark green stripes.

     

Common pests and diseases

  • Powdery mildew (pictured here)
  • Downy mildew
  • Cucumber beetle
  • Melon aphid
Watermelon plant photo courtesy of Gail Hermenau.
Watermelon photo courtesy of Gail Hermenau.
Powdery mildew on watermelon leaves photo courtesy of Gail Hermenau.

This publication was created by Master Gardeners Rick Judd and Gail Hermenau. Photos courtesy of Gail Hermenau.


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