It is possible to grow watermelons that weigh more than 200 lbs.
Growing watermelons in warmer climates is not difficult, and most casual gardeners should be able to get a healthy watermelon crop. However, growing the giant watermelons that could contend for world records requires a great deal more dedication to the craft. Careful attention to the plant throughout the growing season is required to ensure the maximum possible melon growth. Does this Spark an idea?
Preparation
Select the best possible variety of seed to give you the best chance of growing the biggest possible melons. The "Carolina Cross" variety of watermelon grows in excess of 200 lbs., making it a good choice. In the early spring, you need to break up the land and mix some fertilizer into the soil. Choose fertilizer that is mixed at a rate of either 5-10-5 or 8-8-8. Finally, seed your plants with ample room between them. Allow at least 20 square feet of room around each plant.
Pollination
Manual pollination is recommended to ensure that you get food fruit growth. You must rub the male flowers all around the female flowers. Be careful not to damage the female flowers when doing this. Look carefully on the flower for visible signs of pollen to verify that pollination has taken place.
Growth
When the vines start to grow across the ground, put hook stakes gently over the vines to keep them anchored to the ground. This allows you to prevent unruly vine tangling and is actually good for the plants. It also provides storm protection. Keep a diary of the growth of the various fruits that appear on the vine during the first several weeks. Carefully note which of the melons appears to grow the fastest.
Fruit
When you have decided which fruit is growing the fastest on a given plant, you need to pick off the other fruit. To get the largest possible melons, you must only have one fruit per plant. This means that all the nutrients and support provided by the plant go to that single fruit, maximizing its growth potential. Once the melons start to get over 50 lbs., rotate them carefully every week so they don't grow flat under their own weight.
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