How to Grow Watermelons (Little Baby Flower F1)

This page talks about how to grow watermelons using the Little Baby Flower (F1), shown at the right. I usually do not have very much luck growing watermelons but I am going to try again this year.

The Little Baby Flower is a small watermelon, with great flavor and appearance. The fruits are small, 5 1/2" round, and average 2-4 pounds per fruit. Bright stripe pattern on shell and dark pink flesh that is sweet and crisp with a high sugar count. Days to Maturity: 70 Variety does well at lower temperatures and may even be frost hardy.

I did not realize there was a cool weather watermelon or we would have included these in our garden this Fall.

The soil for watermelons needs to be light and well-drained. Good soil moisture is important in early stages of growth and during pollination when fruits are setting. After this point do not water unless the soil is very dry and leaves begin to show signs of wilting in mid-day.

Seeds can be started indoors in 2-3" bio-degradable pots in late April or one month before transplanting outdoors when the weather is frost-free, warm, and settled. Plant 3 seeds in a pot about 1/4" deep. Keep temperature 80-90°F until germination. Handle young plants carefully and never let the soil dry out.

Grow seedlings at 75°F. Reduce water and temperature for a week to harden seedlings. After frost, transplant 2-3' apart in rows 6' apart. Even hardened melon seedlings are tender! Do not disturb roots when transplanting, and water thoroughly.

When direct sowing, plant June 1, or 1-2 weeks after last frost when soil is warm, above 70°F. Build up hills about 12" high and plant four seeds in the hill. Space the hills about three fee apart.

There are 3 ways to tell when a watermelon is ripe: 1) the tendril nearest the point on the vine where fruit stem attaches is browning/dead, 2) the spot where the fruit rests on the ground is yellow, and 3) the classic mystery - you hear "punk", as opposed to "pink" or "pank." when you flick the melon with your fingers.

I looked on you tube to see if there was a video that explained this. After looking at three different videos and getting three different answers, none agreeing with the other, I decided we would have to wait and figure it out on our own.

Come back and visit us in February of 2010 as we plant our seeds indoors and get our plants going. Keep looking for updates.

As of 03-03-2010 we have gotten off to a slow start.

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