Watermelon Petite – Yellow

WATERMELON PETITE YELLOW. One of the earliest and sweetest watermelon we have trialled and we think the best tasting too.  A delicious small icebox watermelon, 2-3 pounds each which makes it far better suited to European climates.  Has a slight tendency to crack when ripe or when you try to cut the fruits, but it never last long enough to worry.  Can be grown outside in a warm, sheltered and sunny location, but for the most reliable crops under glass is best.

Type: Annual

Temperature Required: 20 – 25 c

Time to Germinate: 5 -10 Days

Days to Maturity: 85-95 Days

Position/ Light: Full Sun and sheltered Location

• Prepare soil by digging and incorporating liberal amounts of well-rotted
• compost or farmyard manure over-winter.
• Watermelons thrive in a sunny, warm location
• Sow April to May 1cm (½in) deep, in 7cm (3.5in) pots of free-draining seed sowing mix.
• Place in a (propagator, airing cupboard) and keep at a temperature of around 20-25C (68-77F)
• until after germination, usually 5-10 days.
• When first true leaves develop, transplant into 13cm (5in) pots for a few weeks.
• Plant out 24 inches apart after carefully
• hardening off after all risk of frost in a warm sheltered position in full sun or for a more reliable crop under glass.
• Water regularly and feed with liquid fertilizer every 14 days.
• Pinch out growing point at the 4 leaf stage and train the laterals (side-shoots) along the row.
• Hand pollinate if required.
• At harvest time, tap the watermelon with your knuckles, and if it sounds hollow, it’s ripe.