Water Melon Farming

Anwar2012 · 2016-09-05T13:36:57+00:00

#Knowyourfruitswellseries WATERMELONS!!! Watermelon is a high value crop in Kenya and does well in warm areas with minimal irrigation. The crop requires well drained loamy soils, rich in nutrients and a soil PH of between 6-6.8. It requires minimal watering and when irrigating,avoid watering the leaves as it causes rust. Its easy to establish and attains a maximum height after a few weeks of tethering. However, its delicate nature, complicated pollination and susceptibility to attack by pests and diseases, deters many from venturing into its cultivation making it a well sought after crop. It takes between 75 days and 90 days after planting to mature when all growth conditions are met. Varieties Sukari F1 is the hybrid variety mostly grown in Kenya and is preffered for the high end markets. It has an optimal yield of about 25-35 tonnes per acre. Other hybrid varieties are Kito F1, Julie F1 and Maridadi F1. Also grown in Kenya include Sugar baby, Crimson Sweet and Charleston grey varieties. Watermelon pollination This crop produces separate male and female flowers on the same plant at flowering. Male flowers are the majority (90%) and the first to emerge whereas the female flowers (10%), emerge 1-2weeks after the male flowers. Male flowers provide the male gametes (pollen grains) to fertilize the female flowers (ovaries).They also attract pollinators. The female flowers only open once for a day and if in this time it doesnt receive sufficient pollen, no fertilization occurs and it therefore aborts consequently by rotting.The male flowers wither a few days after emergence. This crop is 100% dependent on insect pollination and honey bees (Apis mellifera) are the best pollinators for watermelons. The more the pollen a female flower receives, the sweeter, better and bigger the fruits will be. Pollination therefore improves quality, taste and fruit sizes. Although dependant on the variety, its advisable that one maintains 2-3 fruits per plant for maximum yields. How to ensure that the crop receives maximum pollination 1). Hand pollination Perform hand pollination at worst case scenario. Suitable for small gardens. 2). Have minimal soil disturbance during land preparation, weeding or when irrigating This is necessary to ensure that one doesn't interfere with ground nesters i.e. bees that nest on the ground. One should therefore adopt land preparation, weeding and irrigation methods that have minimal disturbance to the soil e.g. conservation agriculture, use of herbicides,minimal weeding and drip irrigation systems. 3). Prudent spraying regimes When spraying pesticides especially insecticides, its advisable to do so when bees are less active in the farm-late afternoon hours. This is highly recommended during the flowering stage because at this stage there is always an increased bee activity in the farm. One should also spray less toxic pesticides readily available in the market. 4). Establishment and management of a hedgerow in the farm A hedgerow is a group of mixed vegetation growing in the hedge of the farm (all around the farm). They can either be naturally growing or be introduced with their main role being to attract and maintain different pollinators in the farm (even when there are no crops growing at the farm at a particular moment). If well managed,a hedgerow should contain around 20-30 weeds,grasses,climbers,shrubs or trees. 5). Have honey bee colonies placed in the farm Normally, one bee hive per acre is highly recommended. One bee hive can hold around 30,000-80,000 mature female worker bees. This is sufficient enough to pollinate one acre farm of a watermelon crop. 6). Scouting for bees in the farm Make sure you observe bees actively visiting flowers in the farm-notice different bee species and other beneficial insects. Signs of a well pollinated crop 1). Low flower abortion rates 2).Large fruits 3). Many fruits per stem 4). Well-shaped fruits 5). Sweet and tasty fruits. Possible pests and disease to watch out for in watermelon production This crop is highly susceptible to attack by pests such as melon flies, beetles,mites,caterpillars,fruit flies,aphids,thrips etc. Diseases that can extensively damage this crop include; -Mosaic viruses -Damping off -Powdery mildew -Fusarium wilt -Stem blight -Root rot -Rusts and -Angular leaf spot. Interesting FACTS about watermelon farming 1). Watermelons belong to the pumpkin family (cucurbitacea). Other crops in this family include cucumbers,pumpkins, coquettes,butternuts,sweet melons among others. 2). This crop is best grown in an outdoor environment. 3). Depending on the location,the growing span of watermelons to maturity is 75-90 days optimum. 4). The crop requires minimum watering. 5).When irrigating,avoid watering the leaves as this causes rusts. 6).At flowering,the crop produces separate male and female flowers on the same plant. 7). Male flowers are normally the highest in number (90%) and the first ones to emerge. Female flowers (10%) emerge 1-2 weeks later after the male ones. 8). The male flowers provide pollen grains (gametes) to fertilize the female flowers (ovaries). 9). The female flowers only open once for a day and if during this time they dont receive sufficient pollen,no fertilization occurs and the flowers aborts consequently by rotting. 10). Male flowers wither a few days after emergence. Their role is mainly to attract pollinators and to produce pollen. 11). Watermelons are 100% insect pollinated. 12). Honey bees( Apis mellifera) are the best pollinators for watermelons. Without insect pollinators,no fruits will develop. 13). The more the pollen a female flower receives,the sweeter,better and bigger the fruit will be. 14). Pollination improves both quality, taste and sizes of watermelon fruits. 15). For maximum yields, maintain 2-3 fruits per stem.

Thread starter Anwar2012
Start date Sep 5, 2016

Anwar2012

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