Characterized by the presence of yellow spots on upper surface of leaves and purplish powdery material on lower surface. Adults are reddish in color.ĭowny Mildew – Caused by Pseudiperonospora cubensis Berk and Curt. Mites – Very tiny insects usually found on undersurface of leaves. Infested plants show curling and distorting of leaves. They eat leaves of young and old plants.Īphids – Adult and young are tiny, greenish insects generally wingless and soft-bodied. PEST AND DISEASESĬucurbit beetle- Adults are yellow beetle 6 to 8 mm in length. During early stage of growth, irrigate sparingly since too much water tends to hinder root development.
Frequent light irrigation 5-6 times during growing season is beneficial. Watermelon may suffer injury when exposed to a long period of drought. Any implement may be used for the purpose. CULTIVATIONĬultivate and weed to check weed growth. When plants have 3-4 leaves, thin to one plant per hill. Alternate plant is planting in continuous rows and thinning the plant to a distance of 1.5 to 2.0 meters. A temperature of 25 C is ideal for growth and 25 C is the best temperature for fruit setting.Īfter plants are well-established, thin to one to two plants per hill. A long period of warm, preferably dry weather contributes to growth. Watermelon is tolerant to a wide range of oil acidity with soil pH 5.0 to 6.8 to successful growth. It grows satisfactorily in heavier soil if properly cared and managed. In areas where growing season is short, light soil is desirable for early harvest. Watermelon requires more aeration than any other kind of crops, so the field must have good drainage to obtain good yield. Watermelon prefers a well-drained sandy loam soil rich in organic matter and which has not been previously palnted to watermelon. Introduced hybrids and varieties produce much bigger fruits, shapes varying from globular to oblong. Fruits are large, green-mottled or deep green. Flowers are monoecious, yellow in color and about 2 cm in diameter. Leaves are oblongovate 8-20 cm long with 3-7 lobes. Watermelon has a spreading hairy, tendril-bearing vines reaching 3-5 meter long.
If plants show signs of yellowing, apply sidedressing of nitrogenous fertilizer. Apply complete fertilizer at the rate of 100 to 150 kilograms per hectare at planting time by hand placement 5 to 8 cm below the soil and 5 to 6 cm away to the side where seeds are placed. Apply 10 to 15 tons of manure per hectare. Watermelon is generally grown in rotation with other crops it is necessary to use manure or any soil improving crop to maintain organic matter in the soil. Distance of planting ranges from 1.5 x 1.5 to 2.5 x2.5 meters apart, depending on variety. Planting and spacing- Watermelon is grown from seeds directly planted in the field. These are done several weeks in advance of planting to condition soil. Plow and harrow 2-3 times for early growth and development. Plow land at least 20 cm deep to increase soil aeration.
In some parts of the country, planting is done as early as August to produce an off-season crop which commands better market price. Months of planting- Planting season is from October to January. These provinces are Bataan, Bulacan, Pampanga, Tarlac, Nueva Ecija, Rizal, Batangas and Laguna. Varieties commonly grown in the Philippines are Valencia, Meak, Klondyke, Northern Hybrid, Tender Sweet, Hony Cream and Mallorca.įoreign varieties: Accessions 193464 from Africa Acdcessions 183239 from India Festival Queen, Glory, Charleston Gray and Sugar Bagy.Įlevation- Watermelon is grown comercially in lowland areas after rice harvest. Photo by kumon Watermelon Production Guide VARIETIES