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Triploid watermelon seed is more difficult to germinate and establish than standard diploid watermelon seed. Field seeding is not recommended because germination is inhibited at temperatures below 80°F. For best results, germinate seed indoors with a soil temperature near 90°F.
Recommended Conditions: In cooler areas, warm transplant flats before planting or use a controlled environment maintained near 90°F and 95% relative humidity. Emergence generally takes 4–5 days.
Triploid watermelon seed also has a thicker seedcoat than standard seeded watermelon. The seedcoat may occasionally remain attached to the cotyledons during emergence, which can cause damage or delay seedling development.
Establishing a satisfactory stand of triploid watermelon through direct seeding can be difficult. Overseeding and thinning are generally not practical because of the higher cost of triploid seed. For this reason, container-grown transplants are the preferred method for establishing a seedless watermelon crop.
After emergence, seedlings are typically grown for approximately 3 weeks before being transplanted into the field.
Triploid watermelons are sterile and produce little, if any, viable pollen. Although the fruit is seedless, the flowers still require pollen for normal fruit development. A seeded pollinator variety must therefore be planted with the triploid crop.
When using a harvested seeded variety as the pollinator, select one that can be easily distinguished from the seedless crop at harvest. The seeded melons should also be acceptable to the intended market because approximately one-third of the planted rows will be pollinator rows.
Adequate bee activity is critical for successful pollination and fruit set. One strong hive containing approximately 30,000–50,000 bees can generally pollinate 1–2 acres.
Important: Seedless watermelon production depends on both a suitable pollen source and adequate pollinator activity. Proper placement of pollinator plants throughout the field helps ensure pollen is readily available to triploid flowers.
Production costs for triploid watermelons are generally higher than for standard seeded watermelons. These additional costs include more expensive seed, transplant production, the added difficulty of producing uniform transplants, and the need to devote part of the field to pollinator varieties.
Growers should consider the additional production expense when planning a seedless watermelon crop and secure a market capable of providing a sufficient premium for triploid fruit.
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