Watermelon is an incredibly delicious and refreshing summer yield , but did you know that the seeds are a peachy beginning of protein , antioxidants , omega-3 fatty Lucy in the sky with diamonds , dietary fiber , and other all-important vitamins and minerals ? Not only do watermelon seed provide a wealth of health benefits , but they can also be easy lay aside for succeeding use . Here ’s how to save watermelon seeds for planting or eating :
1 . take the right-hand watermelon vine : When selecting a watermelon vine for harvesting its seeds , depend for one that is ripe and not overripe . An overripe melon vine will make it unmanageable to collect workable seeds . To test if your melon vine is ripe , thump it with your palm – if it sounds hollow then it ’s ready to go .
2 . Extract & Clean the Seeds : Cut launch the melon and remove the seeds ; wash them to remove any gummy residuum . go around them out on a towel or newspaper in a sunny area to dry out for around one week . Be sure to check over sporadically that they are completely dry before storing them away in an airtight container or jarful .
3 . computer memory off : Place the dry semen into an envelope or theme bag and salt away them in a cool position such as your icebox or deep freezer – this will help oneself prolong their life span up to four years !
Once you ’ve garner your watermelon seeds you may either plant them for growing more watermelon , snack on them as a nutritious treat ( the same way you wold helianthus seed ) , or use them in recipes like salads or pesto sauce ! Whatever you decide to do with them just remember that freshness is key when pull through Citrullus vulgaris seeds so be certain to hive away away ASAP after drying !
Planting Watermelon Seeds from a Watermelon
Yes , you could take watermelon ejaculate out of a watermelon and plant them . It is best to use ripe watermelons for planting so that the seeds are mature . To prepare the come for planting , withdraw them from the rind and rinse them in nerveless water . Then , hook them in a container of fond body of water overnight . This will help to soften teir hard outer shell and make it easier for them to burgeon forth when planted . Once they have been soaked , they can be planted directly into prepared stain . Be sure to keep the soil moist and see for seedlings to emerge in 5 - 10 days .
reference : seedway.com
Drying Time for Watermelon Seeds
consider dry watermelon seeds for 36 - 48 hours in parliamentary procedure to ensure they are completely dry . During this time , the ambient heating from the light should be enough to dry out out the source . Once dried , the seeds will be laborious and more brittle , and have shrunk more or less in size of it . To store them for future exercise , place them in an envelope and lay in them inside a jar in your refrigerator .
Planting Watermelon Seeds Directly From the Fruit
No , you canot industrial plant watermelon vine seed directly from the fruit . When collecting them from a good melon , it is crucial to thoroughly rinse the seeds and let them dry before planting . It is broadly speaking recommended to store them in a cool , dry place until give when it is sentence to plant them . Once they are quick to be planted , it is of import to get up the filth in advance by loosening it , tot up organic matter and fertilizer , and making certain the pH level is between 5.5 and 7.0 . The seed should be planted 1 - 2 inch mysterious in rows that are spaced 4 - 6 feet apart so the vines have enough space to spread out . Watermelons ask full sun and regular watering for optimal growth .
Preparing Watermelon Seeds for Planting
Yes , it is important to dry out Citrullus vulgaris seed before planting . After harvesting the semen from a ripe watermelon , rinse the seeded player in a colander to remove any clinging mush . Then overspread the cum out on a towel or newspaper and allow them to dry in a sunny area for at least one hebdomad . This drying process is necessary as it help to eliminate any potential mold or kingdom Fungi that may be present on the source ’s Earth’s surface . to boot , drying the ejaculate before planting will also assist increase its germination rate and give you adept issue when it ’s time to embed .
Harvesting Watermelon Seeds
watermelon vine seed are harvested using a specialised machine that separates the yield from its vine and emaciate the flesh to enrich the dirt . The whole seeds are then extracted from the yield , and the procedure is complete . This machine is design to ensure that only fruit at the end of ripeness are harvest , ensuring that the best quality watermelon seeds can be gather . The automobile also serve to minimize waste and is efficient in collecting prominent amounts of Citrullus vulgaris seeds promptly .
Source : vecteezy.com
Saving Seeds From Sugar Baby Watermelons
Yes , you’re able to save the seminal fluid from a Sugar Baby watermelon vine . To do so , wait until the melon is ripe and has fledged seeds . Then , cut enter the melon and remove the germ , washing them to remove any sticky residue . After that , spread them out to dry out for a calendar week before lay in them in a coolheaded office . The seminal fluid can be stack away in this way for up to four years .
Saving Watermelon Seeds for the Next Year
To save watermelon vine seeds for the next class , you will demand to store them in a cool , dark , and dry topographic point . It ’s important that you put the come in an airtight container to keep out wet and humidity that can damage the viability of the seed . If stack away properly , watermelon cum can stay on viable for up to 5 years . To ensure best results , store the container away from sources of heat or light that cold make the temperature to vacillate . Additionally , jibe on your come regularly to ensure they are still dry and gratis from any signs of mold or mold . Finally , verify to judge your container with the engagement you stored them so you ’ll know when it ’s meter to put back them !
Is July Too Late To Plant Watermelon?
No , it is not too late to imbed Citrullus vulgaris in July . In fact , the warmer weather during this meter of year do it an ideal clip for planting . The soil should be affectionate and dry enough for the seeds to germinate , and the air temperature will help them grow . Planting in July gives your watermelons plenty of time to mature before the cold months arrive . Just ensure that you’re able to provide enough pee and fertilizer over the next few months and that you are planting in a gay area .
Consequences of Not Soaking Seeds
If you do n’t drench semen , they may not be capable to burgeon forth and develop into a industrial plant . This is because the seed coat act as an obstacle to keep the ejaculate from sprout in unfavorable weather condition . Without soaking , the germ may not be able to absorb enough wet or break down its own proscribed protective layer . to boot , some seeds may call for a certain amount of time for the drinking process to occur and without it , they will remain dormant . As a result , it ’s important to pre - soak seeds before institute in purchase order to ensure successful germination and growth .
root : southernliving.com
Saving and Drying Melon Seeds
To dry and carry through melon seeds , start by spread the source out on a paper towel or a screen . bequeath them to dry for several days in a affectionate and well - ventilated orbit . Make certain that the seeds are completely dry before storing them ; storing melon seeds that are not entirely dry can result in musty seeds . Once they ’re very dry , transfer them to a clean , glass shock with an airtight lid . hive away the jounce in a coolheaded , black place . check out on the seed sporadically to insure that they have n’t gone moldy or become wet again .
Drying Seeds Before Storing
To dry out seeds before storing , start by circularize them out in a unmarried layer on a shell , wide bowl , pie scale , broil sheet , or serve tray . Make certain the seeds are spread thin so they can dry cursorily . Leave the seed in a strong and well - ventilate area for about two weeks until the out casing are crisp to the touch . Once dried , stash away the seeds in an airtight container in a coolheaded and sullen place . To keep them from getting moldy or moist , check on them on a regular basis and re - dry if necessary .
Planting Watermelon Seeds in the Spring
If you are seem to plant Citrullus vulgaris seeds , the best months to do so are March and August . Planting in March will give you an edible melon come fall , while planting in August will involve a full 100 Clarence Day of warm weather for the melon vine to ripen . If the warm weather persists into late fall and winter , then you may even be able to get a Christmas watermelon vine .
When to Stop Watering Watermelon
Once the watermelon vine fruit begin to grow , you should reduce your lachrymation . Aim to give your watermelon flora 1 - 2 inch of urine per hebdomad , and check the soil daily to make certain it is not waterlogged . Stop water when the top inch or two of ground are dry . If there has been a good deal of rain , you may not need to water at all . To avoid wetting the leave of absence , only pee at the vine ’s base in the dayspring .
Source : bhg.com
The Best Way to Germinate Watermelon Seeds
The best manner to germinate watermelon seeds is to imbed them ½-inch deeply in warm , well - drained grime . If you are planting the seeds outside , hold back until 4 - 6 weeks after the last frost date . Water the seeds into the hill after implant and keep the filth moist but not soggy . The seeds should germinate within 4 - 12 days . If you want to get a drumhead go on your watermelon crop , you may also start your seedling indoors 4 - 6 workweek before the last frost engagement .
Plants to Avoid Planting Near Watermelon
You should not plant any other extremity of the melon vine family ( such as cucumber , Cucurbita pepo , or courgette ) near Citrullus vulgaris . This is because all of these plants belong to the same family and can cross - cross-pollinate with each other . As a result , this can lead to fruit with undesirable characteristics and can even attract disease . In accession , growing different types of melons together can decrease the yield size and quality of your watermelon crop . It ’s also unspoilt to avoid planting radishes , lettuce , and other root vegetables near watermelons as they contend for resources such as wet , nutrients , and sunlight .
Starting Watermelon Seeds in a Wet Paper Towel
Yes , you’re able to start watermelon vine seeds in a wet paper towel . This is a capital method for germinating watermelon seeds because it ’s promiscuous to hold the moisture content necessary for proper germination . Begin by soaking the paper towel in warm water until it is completely saturated . Then , unfold the paper towel out on a flat surface and come in the seeds on top of it , space evenly apart . Cover with another moist paper towel and place in an area that maintains a temperature of around 85 ° F ( 29 ° deoxycytidine monophosphate ) . tick off day by day to ascertain that the composition towels are still moist , and after sveral days your seeds should begin to bourgeon . Once they do , transplant your seedling into individual pots filled with potting soil admixture or directly into your garden beds .
Identifying the Gender of a Watermelon
It can be difficult to secernate the difference between male and female watermelons just by looking at them . However , there are a few key departure that can avail you identify the sex of your watermelon . manlike watermelons tend to have a yellow or blanched situation on the blossom end , whereas female watermelon do n’t . Another manner to tell is to look at the shape : distaff watermelons are typically more oval - mold , while Male tend to be debauchee . Finally , honour the stem : virile melons will have thick stems than distaff melons .
Source : hosstools.com
Can You Freeze a Whole Watermelon?
No , it is not recommended to freeze Citrullus vulgaris whole . Freezing a whole watermelon is not only windy due to the gravid amount of freezer space it would require , but it also piddle withdraw the seeds and rind much more difficult . For best result , remove the rind and seeds from the watermelon before freezing . The seeds will become rock-and-roll intemperately in the freezer and are much easier to remove when frozen from tonic rather than fixed yield .
Planting a Seedless Watermelon Seed
If you found a seed from a seedless watermelon , the termination will be irregular . The seed may or may not germinate and grow into a unexampled plant . If it does grow , it may have characteristics of either parent plant , or it may have an completely different mixture of trait . It is also potential that the resulting plant will not bring on any yield at all . in the end , there is no room to predict precisely what will materialize when planting a seed from a seedless watermelon vine .
Can Dogs Safely Consume Watermelon?
Yes , dogs can eat watermelon in moderation as part of a balanced diet . The cherubic , blue fruit is packed with vitamins and minerals and can be a great snack for your pup . However , it ’s of import to commemorate to transfer the seeds and rind before feeding your dog watermelon . seed can cause an intestinal blockage and the rind can get gastrointestinal disordered . turn off the melon vine into minuscule pieces to make it prosperous for your pup to deplete . Watermelon is a great goody for your pup – just make certain you keep it in easing !
Estimating the Number of Watermelons Produced by a Sugar Baby Plant
A Sugar Baby watermelon plant life typically farm 2 - 5 melons over the form of a growing season . The first melon is usually the big , and each subsequent melon run to be slightly smaller in sizing . If grown in an sphere with a long turn season , the plant may produce up to 5 or more melon . When grown in region with shorter seasons , 2 - 3 melons is more probable .
germ : harrisseeds.com
Watermelon plants can not unremarkably fall back in subsequent years as they are sore annual , which means they complete their entire lifecycle in one season . When the temperatures get colder and the first frosts seem , they will die off and will not grow back the next twelvemonth . To ensure a continued supply of Citrullus vulgaris , you would need to plant new seeds each class .
Storing Watermelon Seeds in the Freezer
Yes , you’re able to store Citrullus vulgaris seeds in the freezer . Before freezing , however , it is important to guarantee that the seeds are wholly wry . To do this , you could disperse the seeded player out on a broil sheet and place them in an oven at a humbled temperature for several hour or overnight . Once the seeds are dried and cooled , channelize them to an airtight container and stead in the deep-freeze . When stored correctly , frozen Citrullus vulgaris ejaculate should rest viable for up to five years .
Conclusion
In ending , Citrullus vulgaris seeds are an easy and rewarding crop to grow in the garden . They can be establish in later bounce to other summertime when the territory temperature reaches 70 degrees or above , and bourgeon speedily . Watermelon seeds can be glean when the melon vine is advanced , wash to remove residue , and then dried for a hebdomad before being store in a cool place for up to four old age . With right guardianship and tending , growing watermelon seed is a great way to enjoy fresh melon for years to come .
Caroline Bates
