Growing plants in greenhouses are not something new; plants such as peppers, tomatoes, and cucumbers are popular to be grown in greenhouses, however, trying something new can be interesting and fascinating so why not try growing melon plants.
Melons are sweet plants that belong to the family Cucurbitaceae and originate from Africa and the southwestern part of Asia and this plant has been an important plant in ancient Egypt since 2000 years BC.
Melons are annual plants that have been grown in almost all parts of the world and this plant has been an important part of the human diet for a very long period of time and staple part of nutrition.
Melons are highly nutritious plants that are rich sources of vitamins of the B group and C and minerals such as potassium, manganese, iron, and phosphorus and there are many varieties of this plant known around the world.
Melons are plants that are very easy to grow and they are known for their ability to thrive quite well under a more controlled and regulated environmental condition and by growing in a greenhouse you can be assured of the best products possible.
Watermelon is one of the most popular types of melons around the globe and this species of melon can be consumed raw and it has a moisture content that is over 90%.
Melons are very interesting plants and the highest producer of this fruit plant is China accounting for 25% of the total production of melons around the world and this plant has had a tremendous history in Asia and other parts of the world.
Melons generally differ in their shape, color, size, sweetness, and texture, and this difference is usually based on the different variety of this plant there is and they can either have skins which could either be smooth or rough.
Melons are flowering plants that produce flowers that can either be staminate or perfect i.e. they can either have an only male reproductive organ or both male and female reproductive organs and they are considered to be andromonoecious by characteristic.
Melons are fast growing plants and as other plants grown in greenhouses can be grown at any time of the year so is it possible to grow your melon plants in greenhouses and you can be assured of more tasty and nutritious produce.
In this article, we will take you through the process involved in growing melons in a greenhouse as well as the period of time required for watermelons to grow and attain maturity. Read through to learn more about the valuable melon plants.
When is the right time to grow Melons in greenhouses?
Growing melons in greenhouses are quite awesome and before learning the process involved in growing melons in greenhouses, it is important to know the appropriate time when planting should be done.
Melons just like other plants do not grow well under frost and need a specific soil and atmospheric condition to survive.
Melons are interesting plants to grow and the appropriate and perfect time to grow this plant is from mid-April through late May when the temperature is higher and will ensure the growth of the plant.
How to Grow Melon plants in Greenhouses
Growing melon plants in greenhouses can be a challenging experience, especially for gardeners and homeowners that are accustomed to growing this plant outdoor.
However, growing your melon in greenhouses is of great benefit and awesome advantages if you know the right and appropriate steps to follow in growing your plant.
Greenhouses are designed to ensure the regulation of the atmospheric condition to enhance the proper growth and development of plants.
In this article, we will take you through the steps involved in growing melons in greenhouses so you should read further to learn more about them. Below is a step-by-step guide to growing melons in a greenhouse:
Fill up the seeding tray with potting mix:
Choose a potting mix for growing vegetable plants as well as a seeding tray that is at least 2-inch deep for growing seeds. Fill the tray with potting mix and moisten it to prepare it for growing seeds.
Place the filled seeding tray on a heating pad:
Once the seed tray has been filled, place it on a heating pad in the greenhouse and allow standing for over 24 hours to a temperature of 85 degrees Fahrenheit. This will help get rid of all micro-organisms that can be in the potting mix.
Plant the melon seeds in the container:
The seeds should be planted in the seeding tray at a depth of 1-inch. The seeds should be planted one per cell and you should not water after sowing as the moisture present in the soil will enhance the growth of the plant.
Control the temperature of the greenhouse:
The temperature of the greenhouse should be regulated between 85 and 90 degrees Fahrenheit for 2 days.
Once the seeds begin to germinate in the cells, the temperature of the soil should be regulated at a temperature of at least 72 degrees Fahrenheit and during the night the temperature should not be up to 65 degrees Fahrenheit.
The temperature of the greenhouse should be regulated at this temperature until the development of the first true leaves appears.
Add water when necessary:
Water should be supplied to the plant so as to prevent the soil from drying out and also enhance the growth of the plant. Make sure that water is supplied to the plant as needed so as to enhance its growth and development.
Fertilize the seedlings:
Once the first and second true leaves of the melon plants develop, fertilizer should be supplied to the base of the plant.
A fertilizer that contains 100-parts-per-million nitrogen content is essential for the development of the plant. This is very essential so as to encourage the overall growth and development of the melon seedlings.
Carry out transplanting:
Once the plant has grown large and well then the next thing to do is to transplant the melon seedlings. The seedlings should be transplanted in any large container such as gallon-sized plastics, nylons, and lots more.
The seedlings should be carefully lifted with hand by gently squeezing the base of the tray once it has been watered. The seedlings should be planted in a similar growing material as in the tray and should be spaced as recommended.
Support the plant:
Once the melon has been transplanted, the next thing to do is to provide support to the plant’s weight. Supports given to the plant can be in the form of wire, wooden sticks, trellis, and lots more. Make sure that the plant has the right support that can bear its weight.
Fertilize and pollinate the plant:
Once the plant begins to grow larger it is important to focus more on encouraging its growth through the process of fertilization.
A 21-0-0 fertilizer (1 to 2 teaspoon) will work well as well as a tomato fertilizer will encourage the growth of the plant.
When the plant reaches the flowering stage you can allow the plant to be pollinated naturally by bees by carefully opening the window to encourage the entry of these insects or by practicing hand-pollination and using a brush to add pollens from the male flowers to the female flowers. Male flowers do lack a ball-like structure found behind the female flowers.
Allow the melons to grow:
Once the melons begin to grow larger and grow upward, it is important to pinch off the upper region of the plant to enhance spreading and encourage the development of more fruits.
Once the fruits start to develop then you should provide extra supports that will bear the weight of the fruits and a netting material attached to the wood or rope will work well.
Harvest matured melons:
Once the melons have attained maturity and ripened then harvesting of the plant is to be carried out. Melons should reach maturity between 35 to 45 days after transplanting depending on the variety.
How long does it take Watermelons to grow?
Watermelon is one of the most popular varieties of melons around the globe and they are usually cultivated for their sweet juice and it is consumed raw.
The fleshy portion of this fruit plant is very juicy and rich in water content and it takes months for this plant to reach maturity.
This species of the melon plants can be cultivated in any part of the world as long as it is grown under a favorable environmental condition.
The time it takes watermelon to grow from seed to maturity ranges between 65 and 90 days depending on the variety.
Conclusion
Melons are sweet fruit-producing plants that have been an important part of the human diet and learning to grow this plant will make them as effective as possible and they tend to produce a more nutritious and flavored plant.
No matter the type of melon you are growing you can be assured of the best products possible.
On behalf of the author, thank you so much for taking the time to read this article !
