Plant Tissue Culture PPT

Square watermelons can be tucked into a corner of the refrigerator instead of rolling around on the shelf. Any watermelon can be grown in a square. You won't require a specific variety with the exception, if you grow seedless watermelon, you will need a seeded variety nearby for cross pollination. Japanese farmers were the first to grow oddly shaped melons.

Select a box that will be very slightly smaller than the mature watermelon. As the watermelon grows it assumes the shape of the box. A full-size seeded watermelon grows to 30 pounds and is about 18 to 24 inches long and 10 inches high. Icebox watermelons are smaller and rounder growing to 10 to 15 pounds. Mini-watermelons are the smallest and are slightly larger than a cantaloupe, weighting in at about 5 pounds.

Drill a hole on the top side of the box. The hole should be large enough for the stem of the watermelon to easily fit through. Drill two ventilation holes no more than 1/4 inch in diameter at each corner of the box. If the holes are larger than 1/4 inch the watermelon may protrude out the hole ruining the square shape. Since there are four corners that means eight holes. Boxes are commercially available for growing watermelons, if you don't want to bother with drilling.

Plant the watermelon seeds, or plants, in rich well-drained soil in a location that gets at least 6 hours of sunlight. Watermelons are a warm season crop and won't do well in damp foggy locations. If the location gets enough sunlight but is cool, plant the watermelon against a south or west facing wall. The wall retains heat and gives the watermelon the extra warmth it needs.

Fertilize the soil when you plant and then every two to three weeks in warm weather. Watermelon doesn't grow as fast in cooler weather so won't need as much fertilizer.

Water if rainfall doesn't reach 1 1/2 inches per week. Soak the ground until it's wet to a depth of 6 inches.

Place the baby watermelon inside the plastic box. Arrange the stem through the hole at the top of the box. Continue to water and fertilize until watermelon is ready to harvest. Exactly when depends on the variety of watermelon, growing conditions and weather.

Tips
Don't place a square box on top of the watermelon but place the watermelon inside the box.

Warning
Grow several square watermelons just in case one gets too big and forces the box apart or grows too small and doesn't form a square.

Dee Power is the author of several nonfiction books. She likes to share her gardening tips and use the herbs she's grown in her grilling recipes.

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