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Thread. Watermelon farming.
This is a profitable business if all is done accordingly. But to succeed, you must learn the best farming techniques, basics and understand our moto" Farming is a Business and a science @ndakaripa @Phidze72 @VundaFarm
This is a profitable business if all is done accordingly. But to succeed, you must learn the best farming techniques, basics and understand our moto" Farming is a Business and a science @ndakaripa @Phidze72 @VundaFarm
Fact Check: It's not Watermelon sweetness but also health gains that result in its high demand in the market. It is rich in nutrients, potassium and vitamins C, A, and B. Have ability to lower inflammation and oxidative stress, keep hydrated, lower BP and boost digestion.
Soil requirements
WM require well-drained sandy loamy soil that is rich in organic matter and the topography should be flat (not sloppy). Also, ensure that the selected site contains a soil with good pH level (6.0 and 6.8) as the watermelons thrive well in slightly acidic soil.
WM require well-drained sandy loamy soil that is rich in organic matter and the topography should be flat (not sloppy). Also, ensure that the selected site contains a soil with good pH level (6.0 and 6.8) as the watermelons thrive well in slightly acidic soil.
Temperature Requirements
WM to be sweet they require period of heat therefore requires a long and warm growing season of at least 70 to 90 days. Minimum temp of 18°C & max temp of 35°C for optimum growth and fruit yield. If you in colder regions consider greenhouses.
WM to be sweet they require period of heat therefore requires a long and warm growing season of at least 70 to 90 days. Minimum temp of 18°C & max temp of 35°C for optimum growth and fruit yield. If you in colder regions consider greenhouses.
Land Preparation
Normal tillage to have a fine tilth. Ploughing or discing depending on your soils.
This helps to facilitate deeper rooting and create room for better penetration of water.
Apply preemergence herbicides for weed control before planting the watermelon seeds.
Normal tillage to have a fine tilth. Ploughing or discing depending on your soils.
This helps to facilitate deeper rooting and create room for better penetration of water.
Apply preemergence herbicides for weed control before planting the watermelon seeds.
Varieties
Select a viable watermelon seed variety and mainly consider sweetness and size (Large WM always command a high price in the market.
Farm and City has seeds which include Black Diamond, All Sweet, Royal Sweet, Crimson Sweet, Moon & Stars, Jubilee
Select a viable watermelon seed variety and mainly consider sweetness and size (Large WM always command a high price in the market.
Farm and City has seeds which include Black Diamond, All Sweet, Royal Sweet, Crimson Sweet, Moon & Stars, Jubilee
Treat the watermelon seeds with fungicides to protect them from fungal diseases in the soil.
Also, soak the watermelon seeds in warm water for 12 to 15 hours, drain and leave in a wet bag overnight. This treatment will boost the germination of the watermelon seeds.
Also, soak the watermelon seeds in warm water for 12 to 15 hours, drain and leave in a wet bag overnight. This treatment will boost the germination of the watermelon seeds.
Put 2 or 3 seeds per hole about 25mm deep and then close the hole with loose soil. Depending on germination thin out to leave 1 or 2 to avoid competition. For good spread of vines spacing is 90-100cm apart within a row and 180-200cm apart between rows.
Tip to note: It is not advisable to plant seeds you got from previous watermelon fruits after consuming. If you plant such, it will produce watermelons that are not sweet. The watermelon plant will have a high risk of disease infection and the yields will be very poor.
Water Requirements- Sound management practices are critical here.
As stated above WM is a heat-loving plant doesn't require much rain
Reduce watering to about every 10days whn the seeds start sprouting. But as soon as the vines begin to spread out, u can stop watering altogether
As stated above WM is a heat-loving plant doesn't require much rain
Reduce watering to about every 10days whn the seeds start sprouting. But as soon as the vines begin to spread out, u can stop watering altogether
By this time, there should be rainfall at least every two weeks, if not, then you must water the plants according to schedule.
As they get larger, you can stop watering even when no rainfall. It allows sugars to concentrate and make the flesh to stay crisp, producing sweet WM
As they get larger, you can stop watering even when no rainfall. It allows sugars to concentrate and make the flesh to stay crisp, producing sweet WM
Tip: The best water management is through drip irrigation if you can afford it.
Weed Control
It all starts when you doind land preparation(pre emerging) & necessary because weeds compete with watermelon plants for available space, water, and nutrients. So, it is important to ensure that the land is weed-free.
Herbicides (pre) and hoes (post) best ways
It all starts when you doind land preparation(pre emerging) & necessary because weeds compete with watermelon plants for available space, water, and nutrients. So, it is important to ensure that the land is weed-free.
Herbicides (pre) and hoes (post) best ways
Fertilizer Application
Manure are the best, well-rotted manure provide good nutrients for growth and yields.
You can still use chemical fertilizers but they have to be N based as P and K can have effect on quality especially early days and apply 2–3 weeks after planting.
Manure are the best, well-rotted manure provide good nutrients for growth and yields.
You can still use chemical fertilizers but they have to be N based as P and K can have effect on quality especially early days and apply 2–3 weeks after planting.
General Care
Depending on your market you may need to prevent the fruits from making direct contact with the soil.
This can be done by putting barriers like dry straw between the watermelons and the ground to reduce the risk of rot and diseases.
Consistent colouration, mainly
Depending on your market you may need to prevent the fruits from making direct contact with the soil.
This can be done by putting barriers like dry straw between the watermelons and the ground to reduce the risk of rot and diseases.
Consistent colouration, mainly
Pests and Diseases
Common pests are spider mites and aphids.
May also see, beetles,melon worms, leaf miners, melon maggots, thrips
Common pesticide in Zim is Lambda
Diseases include; fusarium wilt, Downey & powdery mildew,gummy stem blight,mosaic virus
Manage plant spacing
Common pests are spider mites and aphids.
May also see, beetles,melon worms, leaf miners, melon maggots, thrips
Common pesticide in Zim is Lambda
Diseases include; fusarium wilt, Downey & powdery mildew,gummy stem blight,mosaic virus
Manage plant spacing
Harvesting/Storage
Timing is very important, jf you harvest the fruit too soon, it won’t be sweet. In the same way, if you wait too long before harvesting the fruit, it may be mushy and unappealing. So, you need to know the exact time to harvest your watermelon.
Timing is very important, jf you harvest the fruit too soon, it won’t be sweet. In the same way, if you wait too long before harvesting the fruit, it may be mushy and unappealing. So, you need to know the exact time to harvest your watermelon.
1- Colour on the top of the fruit, if any little contrast between the stripes, then it is ripe.
2- Thumping(gogodza
) the melon with your knuckles. If it sounds hollow, then certainly, you are in for a real treat.
3- Spiral coil- Half-dead,nearly. Brown & dried up it's ready
2- Thumping(gogodza
) the melon with your knuckles. If it sounds hollow, then certainly, you are in for a real treat.3- Spiral coil- Half-dead,nearly. Brown & dried up it's ready
End of thread, any questions do not hesitate to ask.
Lastly, our watermelons are sold in bulk mainly for Mbare Musika. Hopefully in the near future if we get bulk buyers, fresh produce sellers in all towns we can deliver as well or export someday
Have a sweet day. #Farmerscan
Lastly, our watermelons are sold in bulk mainly for Mbare Musika. Hopefully in the near future if we get bulk buyers, fresh produce sellers in all towns we can deliver as well or export someday
Have a sweet day. #Farmerscan
