Soloxam:
@Pappysheo, yes. Pls try and apply fertilizer to help ur plant produce big fruits cos they are heavy feeder, just like maize.

bankot123:
Great work mangam and pappyshoe! pls is it possible to plant twice in a year. @ soloxam, at what stage do you apply fertilizer. is it after fruiting? pls shed more light.

Pappyshoes:

Thanks bro, but do you know how I can get NPK fertilizer to buy in Ibadan?

Pappyshoes:

Yes, months of March and Sept-October.
@sloxam, over to you.

Soloxam:
@ pappyshoes yes just contact me via the number on my signature......

Pappyshoes:

ok, thanks.

LONGFELLOW02:
@Pappyshoe hw is ur Mellon doing?

Pappyshoes:

Thanks, they are increasing in size. But I had a scary experience. I'm still thinking of what the cause could be.

Soloxam:
what was It may be some one can help.

Pappyshoes:

Thanks @soloxam, I got to the farm and I saw these; some of the melons(F1 Koloss) are bursting.
cc: MANGAM, world1, kalusam, LONGFELLOW02, Ichidodo, jasper7 et al.

Pappyshoes:

Thanks @soloxam, I got to the farm and I saw these; some of the melons(F1 Koloss) are bursting.

cc: MANGAM, world1, kalusam, LONGFELLOW02, Ichidodo, jasper7 et al.

Pappyshoes:

Thanks @soloxam, I got to the farm and I saw these; some of the melons(F1 Koloss) are bursting.

cc: MANGAM, world1, kalusam, LONGFELLOW02, Ichidodo, jasper7 et al.

CarewAye:


1. The most common cause for a bursting watermelon is erratic watering. Whether it’s due to poor irrigation practices or drought followed by heavy rain, excessive accumulation of water can put the fruit under a lot of pressure. When the soil becomes dry, the fruit forms a tight skin in order to prevent moisture loss. However, once a sudden surge in water returns, the skin expands. As a result, the watermelon bursts.

2. Another possibility, in addition to water, is heat. Water pressure within the fruit can build up when it gets too hot, causing the melons to split open. One way to help alleviate splitting is by adding straw mulch, which will help retain moisture in the soil and insulate plants. Adding shade covers during excessively hot periods may help too.

3. Finally, this may be attributed to certain cultivars as well. Some varieties of watermelon may simply be more prone to splitting than others. In fact, many thin-rind types, such as Icebox, have even been nicknamed “exploding melon” for this reason.

@Pappyshoes, i hope the above information help you figure out what could have been the cause of splitting on your farm.

Regards

Pappyshoes:
@CarewAye, ichidodo, soloxam, kalusam.
Thank you all, i'm grateful. It actually happened after that rain that fell last week in Ogun state after a long break.
But, does that mean that apart from mulching, one has to keep irrigating/watering (lightly) even while the fruits are developing so that sudden arrival of rain will not be a shock?

Vanpascore:
Weldone OP, I love this thread and i say kudos to you. In addition pls, those of you asking for where to get d seed, u can buy a big water melon, cut into two and keep it somewhere for 3-4 days to ferment, get the seed there, wash with water to separate the seed from d decayed rubbish and sun dry as directed by the OP

DO NOT PLANT THE SEED THAT HAS MIXED WITH SALIVA, IT WILL NOT GROW.

DICON2:
what if sun dried after mixibg with saliva?

DICON2:
what if sun dried after mixibg with saliva?

Soloxam:
why worrying urself washing seed from fruit u don't know it source when u can get improved and well treated and high yielding seeds at affordable price. Pls if ur are farming, ur no. One success is ur seeds, so if u are planting get a good seed.

Jesusbaby6:



How much is watermelon and tomato seeds?

senato123:
Soloxam could u do a brief run ur varieties n features n which would u appraise as best seed. Adding cost ain't bad.