Page 7 - JAMS Organic Farms Imported Seeds

6. 2307.50 Farmers Wonderful (F1) Watermelon Seed, 2 X 100 seeds
Days to maturity: 85 days (Annual)
Pink seedless with unsurpassed flavour. The nearly round, 8" fruits avg. 14–16 lb. They are medium-green with dark green stripes and pink flesh. Excellent variety for quality-conscious customers. Seeds of a pollinator and complete growing instructions are included with each order. Avg. 1–2 fruits/plant. Avg. 7,000 seeds/lb. Packet: 10 seeds. Seedless watermelon varieties are less vigorous than seeded varieties. They require starting indoors under specific temperature and moisture ranges to ensure proper germination. They require a pollenizer watermelon (See Below) (seeds are included with each order) in order to set fruits. Complete growing instructions are also included with each order
GROWING INFORMATION
SCIENTIFIC NAME: Citrullus lanatus var. lanatus
CULTURE: A light, well-drained soil with a pH of 6.5–7.5 and a southern exposure is ideal. Good soil moisture is important in early stages of growth and during pollination when fruits are setting. After this point do not water the last week before fruits are ripe, as overwatering can cause bland fruit.
TRANSPLANTING: Sow indoors in 50-cell plug trays or 2–3" peat pots in late April or one month (no sooner!) before transplanting outdoors. Plant 2 seeds per cell or pot, about 1⁄2–1" deep. Keep temperature 80–90°F (27–32°C) until germination. Handle young plants carefully and never let the soil dry out. Grow seedlings at 75°F (24°C). Reduce water and temperature for a week to harden seedlings. When the weather is frost-free, warm, and settled, transplant 2–3' apart in rows 6–8' apart, or thin to 1 plant/pot or cell with scissors and transplant 18" apart. Even hardened watermelon seedlings are tender! Do not disturb roots when transplanting, and water thoroughly.
DIRECT SEEDING: Sow 1–2 weeks after last frost when soil is warm, above 70°F (21°C), 3 seeds every 18– 36", 1⁄2–1" deep, thinning to 1 plant/spot.
TRIPLOID/SEEDLESS: Start indoors under favourable conditions to ensure proper germination. A pollenizer watermelon, or normal seeded watermelon, is required for fruit set. Seeds of a pollenizer and complete growing instructions are included with each order. Although the fruits are practically seedless, a few seeds may form under stressful conditions. For more information, see our Seedless Watermelon production guide.
ROW COVERS: Since watermelons like consistently warm conditions, plastic mulch and row covers will make for earlier crops and better yields, especially in the North. Remove covers when plants have female flowers (tiny fruit at base of blossom).