Benjis Seeds
Garden guide
<tc>Watermelon planting – professional guide for successful cultivation</tc>
Table of contents
1. Herkunft und Klima der Wassermelone
- Anbau im subtropischen Klima
- Anbau im gemäßigten Klima
- Die vier wichtigsten Standortfaktoren
- Warum die Faktoren wichtig sind
- Standort im subtropischen Klima
- Standort im gemäßigten Klima
- Zeitpunkt im subtropischen Klima
- Zeitpunkt im gemäßigten Klima
- Wassermelonen im Freiland
- Wassermelonen im Topf
- Wassermelonen Setzlinge kaufen
- Bewährte samenfeste Sorten
- Seltene Sorten aus Heirloom‑Archiven
- Gießen
- Düngen
- Triebe schneiden
- Spezielle Klima-Pflegehinweise für Wassermelonen
10. Fazit
Origin and climate of the watermelon
Cultivation in subtropical climates
Cultivation in temperate climates
Location selection for successful watermelon cultivation
The four most important location factors
- Deep, well‑drained, sandy‑humus loam
- Incorporation of compost as a nutrient base
- Warm, sunny and slightly wind‑sheltered location
- Mulch layer for temperature and moisture regulation
Why the factors matter
Location in subtropical climates
Location in temperate climates
The right time to plant watermelons
Timing in subtropical climates
- Pre‑cultivation from mid‑February
- Direct sowing from late March
- Planting out from early April to June
Timing in temperate climates
- Pre‑cultivation from April
- Greenhouse planting from late April
- Planting out in open ground from late May to early June
Watermelons in open ground
Watermelons in pots
Watermelon plants – sow yourself or buy seedlings?
- Sowing depth: 1–2 cm
- Germination temperature: 22–30 °C
- Germination time: 6–12 days
Buying watermelon seedlings
Watermelon variety diversity – traditional, open‑pollinated classics
Citrullus lanatus var. lanatus
Citrullus lanatus var. citroides
Citrullus amarus
Proven open‑pollinated varieties
Sugar Baby – known since 1955
- Rind: dark green, smooth
- Flesh: deep red
- Size: small to medium, compact
- Maturity: very early (approx. 2 months)
- Climate: perfect for temperate and warm regions
- Flavour: intensely aromatic sweet, dense, full‑bodied
- Special features: ideal for small gardens and short summers
Crimson Sweet – known since 1964
- Rind: classic green, lightly striped
- Flesh: red
- Size: medium‑sized
- Maturity: mid‑season (approx. 3 months)
- Climate: ideal for warm to hot regions
- Flavour: classic sweet, balanced, refreshing
- Special features: very robust, reliable, versatile
Golden Midget – known since 1959
- Rind: bright yellow
- Flesh: pink‑red
- Size: small
- Maturity: very early (approx. 2 months)
- Climate: suitable for cool or changeable summers
- Flavour: mildly sweet, pleasantly light
- Special features: turns fully yellow when ripe → easy to recognise
Moon and Stars – known since the 1920s
- Rind: dark green with yellow speckles
- Flesh: red
- Size: medium to large
- Maturity: mid‑season (approx. 3 months)
- Climate: ideal for warm to hot regions
- Flavour: aromatic, robust, classic heirloom character
- Special features: historic landrace with a unique pattern
Orangeglo – known since the 1960s
- Rind: light green, striped
- Flesh: orange
- Size: large
- Maturity: mid to late (approx. 3.5–4 months)
- Climate: ideal for hot regions
- Flavour: very sweet, fruity, slightly tropical
- Special features: intense aroma, striking colour
Cream of Saskatchewan – known since the early 20th century
- Rind: light green, lightly striped
- Flesh: white‑yellow
- Size: small to medium
- Maturity: mid‑season (approx. 3 months)
- Climate: suitable for cool to temperate regions
- Flavour: exceptionally sweet, creamy, delicate
- Special features: historic landrace from Russia/Canada
Rare heirloom varieties from archival sources
Yellow Crimson – known since the 1960s
- Rind: green striped
- Flesh: yellow
- Size: medium to large
- Maturity: mid‑season (approx. 3 months)
- Climate: ideal for warm regions
- Flavour: sweet, mildly fruity, very pleasant
- Special features: classic yellow‑fleshed heirloom variety
Desert King – known since the mid‑20th century
- Rind: light green, solid
- Flesh: yellow
- Size: large
- Maturity: mid‑season (approx. 3 months)
- Climate: highly drought‑resistant, ideal for hot and arid regions
- Flavour: mildly sweet, soft, refreshing
- Special features: extremely robust traditional US variety
Mountain Sweet Yellow – known since the 19th century
- Rind: dark green striped
- Flesh: yellow‑orange
- Size: large
- Maturity: mid to late season (approx. 3.5–4 months)
- Climate: ideal for warm regions
- Flavour: very sweet, bold, full‑bodied
- Special features: old US landrace with a strong aroma
Yellow Petite – known since the mid‑20th century
- Rind: dark green, lightly striped
- Flesh: yellow
- Size: small
- Maturity: very early (approx. 2 months)
- Climate: suitable for short summers
- Flavour: aromatic‑sweet, light and fresh
- Special features: compact traditional variety
Tendersweet Orange – known since the early 20th century
- Rind: light green striped
- Flesh: pale orange
- Size: medium to large
- Maturity: mid‑season (approx. 3 months)
- Climate: ideal for warm regions
- Flavour: very sweet, soft, delicately fruity
- Special features: historical variety with a very tender texture
Orange Tendersweet – known since the 1930s
- Rind: light green striped
- Flesh: orange
- Size: medium
- Maturity: mid‑season (approx. 3 months)
- Climate: warm to hot
- Flavour: sweet, aromatic, slightly spicy‑fruity
- Special features: traditional historical US variety, very sweet
Golden Honey – known since the 1940s
- Rind: light green striped
- Flesh: intense yellow
- Size: medium
- Maturity: mid‑season (approx. 3 months)
- Climate: ideal for warm regions
- Flavour: very sweet, honey‑like, intense
- Special features: strong sweetness, rare heirloom variety
Apricot Watermelon – known since the early 20th century
- Rind: green striped
- Flesh: apricot‑coloured
- Size: medium
- Maturity: mid‑season (approx. 3 months)
- Climate: ideal for warm regions
- Flavour: sweet, apricot‑like, slightly floral
- Special features: rare apricot‑coloured historical landrace variety
Golden Sweet Orange – known since the 1950s
- Rind: light green striped
- Flesh: orange‑apricot
- Size: medium
- Maturity: mid‑season (approx. 3 months)
- Climate: ideal for warm regions
- Flavour: sweet, fruity, slightly tropical
- Special features: striking colour, rare variety
Peach Watermelon – known since the early 20th century
- Rind: green striped
- Flesh: pale orange
- Size: medium
- Maturity: mid‑season (approx. 3 months)
- Climate: ideal for warm regions
- Flavour: mildly sweet, soft, peach‑like
- Special features: peach‑coloured texture, historical variety
White Wonder – known since the 1940s
- Rind: light green, lightly striped
- Flesh: pure white
- Size: medium
- Maturity: mid‑season (approx. 3 months)
- Climate: warm to temperate
- Flavour: mildly sweet, very tender, slightly floral
- Special features: rare white heirloom melon
White Seeded Watermelon – known since the early 20th century
- Rind: green striped
- Flesh: white
- Size: medium to large
- Maturity: mid‑season (approx. 3 months)
- Climate: ideal for warm regions
- Flavour: mild, slightly sweet, very refreshing
- Special features: white seeds, rare historical line
Care for watermelons at a glance
Watering
Fertilising
Pruning shoots
- Main shoot let grow: The strongest shoot remains untouched and carries the main fruits.
- Shorten side shoots: Shorten side shoots after the 1st–2nd fruit set so that the plant distributes its energy in a targeted way.
- Limit number of fruits: Leave 3–4 fruits per plant and remove surplus fruits early.
- Remove weak or damaged shoots: Everything that is thin, diseased or poorly developed is cut off.
- Raise or shorten vines lying on the ground slightly: This prevents moisture and rot and ensures that the fruits dry better and receive more light.
Special climate care instructions for watermelons
Plants that carry stories
Care in temperate climates
Reliable recognition of watermelon ripeness signs
- Yellow ground spot – the resting point is a strong yellow rather than whitish.
- Dull sound – deep and full when tapped.
- Matte rind – less shine, slightly dull surface.
- Heavy weight – feels heavier than it looks.
- Light sweet scent in high heat
- Tendrils dry earlier (subtropical climate)
- Tendril growth slows down (temperate climate)
Common problems and solutions in watermelon cultivation
Low growth, few flowers and limited fruit set
Root rot and growth stop
Few fruits
Small fruits or dropping fruit sets
Pale and moderately developed flesh
Weak and small plants
Fungal diseases
Small and low‑aroma fruits
Cracks, small fruits or watery flavour
Low colour development
All important factors for growing watermelons at a glance
- Full sun
- Warm soil
- Even watering
- Air circulation
- Balanced nutrients
- Limit number of fruits
- Observe signs of ripeness













