1. Seed "Breaking" Process Seedless watermelon seeds have thick seed coats and are not fully developed, making germination challenging. Before sowing, the seeds must be "broken" to improve sprouting success. After sterilization, soak the seeds for 8–10 hours. Wipe them dry with a cloth to remove excess moisture and mucus. Gently rub the seed's umbilical area with your teeth to crack the shell slightly. When planting, place the seeds vertically so that the small opening covers about one-third of the umbilicus length. When using tools like wire clamps or a small knife, make sure to open the seed nozzle carefully without damaging the kernel inside.
2. Optimal Germination Temperature Seedless watermelons require a higher germination temperature compared to regular watermelons—around 32–35°C, which is 3–5°C higher than normal. The seedling stage also needs a warmer environment, 3–4°C higher than usual. To maintain this, use hotbeds, wind barriers, and add layers of straw or wheat straw for insulation. Reduce ventilation in the seedbed to prevent sudden drops in temperature, ensuring stable conditions for early growth.
3. Early Sowing and Warmth Protection Because seedless watermelon seedlings grow more slowly and are weaker, they should be sown earlier than regular watermelons—about 3–5 days ahead. Using heated facilities such as electric hotbeds, hot pots, or heated greenhouses helps ensure better seedling development. This early start gives the plants a stronger foundation to thrive later on.
4. Fertilizer and Water Management Once the seedlings develop strong roots and healthy foliage, they require more nutrients than regular watermelons. A typical base fertilizer mix includes 4000–5000 kg of composted manure, 60–80 kg of cake fertilizer, 40–50 kg of superphosphate, and 50 kg of ammonium sulfate or 30 kg of urea, along with 25 kg of potassium sulfate. These should be applied as base fertilizers during planting, while other nutrients are top-dressed in 3–4 applications. During the seedling stage, water and fertilizer should be controlled to avoid excessive vine growth. Once the female flowers appear, increase watering and fertilization to support fruit development and rapid enlargement.
5. Cross-Pollination with Regular Watermelons Seedless watermelons cannot pollinate themselves due to their sterile pollen. Therefore, it's essential to intercrop them with regular watermelon varieties for successful pollination. Typically, 3–4 rows of seedless watermelon are planted alongside 1 row of regular watermelon. The pollination from these plants helps the seedless fruits develop properly. Choose regular watermelon varieties with distinct features to easily identify them during harvest.
6. Selecting High-Quality Fruits Seedless watermelons often have low fruit-setting rates, leading to small, misshapen fruits with thick skins, many seeds, and sometimes hollow or cracked fruits. For better quality, select larger, well-shaped fruits with thinner skins and fewer seeds. In farming, it's common to leave the main vine’s third female flower (around the 20th node) for fruit setting, ensuring optimal fruit development.
7. Timely Harvesting Harvesting seedless watermelons at the right time is crucial. They should be picked earlier than regular watermelons. If left too long, the fruits may become hollow, soft, or lose flavor. Ideally, harvest when the fruit is 90–95% mature, ensuring the best texture, taste, and quality.
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