Organic Watermelon farming involves a number of considerations, including seedless varieties and pest control. F1 hybrids are increasingly common in the organic market, but seedless varieties still make up a majority. Seeded varieties, known as heirloom varieties, are also popular in this market segment. In addition, growers focusing on organic products should consider the impact of Armyworms and cucumber beetles.
Allsweet is a variety of watermelon with resistance to fusarium wilt
In California, there are three cultivars known to have resistance to Fusarium wilt, Royalty, Ruby, and Allsweet. Royalty is a diploid variety, 75 days from flowering to maturity. It produces fruit that is seedless, dark red, and has jubilee stripes. Ruby is seedless, and is a suitable variety for international markets.
The Schochler melon, SSC 9490, has a 90-day maturity. Its rich, dark-green rind is fine-grained and very sweet. Premiere is an F1 hybrid with high yields and resistance to fusarium wilt. Another popular melon is the Seedless Sangria, an early, seedless variety with an Allsweet rind pattern.
Although host resistance remains the best method of control, the widespread presence of Fusarium race 2 has made it less effective. Long crop rotation is an important tool in controlling Fusarium wilt in watermelons. Plants grown in the same field during the same season are unlikely to be infected. However, using several options together can provide adequate control.
The Allsweet is a hybrid of California and North America. It is characterized by its dark green rind and yellow flesh. The fruit has a smooth texture and is resistant to fusarium wilt. A newer variety, Super Crisp, has an 80-85 day maturity and a dark green rind. It is a good choice for packing.
Orangeglo is a variety of watermelon with large fruit (20-31 lb) with orange flesh
The fruit of Orangeglo watermelon weighs 20 to 30 pounds and has an incredibly tropical flavor. It has light green striped skin and large, oblong fruit that has an orange-orange flesh. The fruit is very juicy and is very susceptible to breaking. The plant does not have a long growing season, but it is very drought-resistant, so you can expect to harvest fruit in 90-100 days.
The fruit of Orangeglo is a heirloom variety that has unusual orange-red flesh and a distinctive rind pattern. In addition to the orange flesh, the fruit has many pips, which make it suitable for blending with mixed drinks. Wild pepo plants grow up to 20 cm (8 in) across, while cultivated fruits can reach 60 cm (24 in) in diameter.
‘Orangeglo’ watermelons are easily cracked and pop apart when cut. The orange flecks on the skin of Orangeglo are not fleas, but a fungus or mold that grows on watermelon skin when the sugar content reaches a certain level. Nonetheless, they are indicative that watermelon is ready to harvest.
‘Allsweet’ was developed by C.V. Hall in the 1970s and has similar disease resistance to ‘Charleston Gray’. It also has improved taste and texture. It is a seedless variety and can keep for up to three months, depending on its care. Amarillo watermelons also have orange flesh, and some people are particularly fond of the flavor of ‘Allsweet’.
Armyworms and cucumber beetles
Inorganic watermelon farming is often associated with higher crop yields, but there are a few ways to combat these pests and maximize your harvest. Cucumber beetles and armyworms can cause bacterial wilt in watermelons and other cucurbits. Adult beetles carry the bacterium Erwinia tracheiphila in their guts, and they may infect crops by feeding on damaged plants.
If you want to grow organically, make sure that you have a plan to deal with both pests. Cucumber beetles can do extensive damage to fruits and plants. Controlling the overwintering adults is ideal, but may not be practical in larger cucurbit production fields. Inorganic cucurbit pesticides such as insecticidal soap, bifenthrin, and zeta-cypermethrin may be used in combination with other ingredients. For more organic pest management, nematodes can be used to control the larvae in the soil. Nematodes also attack the adults and eggs. To reduce the number of cucumber beetles feeding on fruits, use drip irrigation.
Inorganic watermelon farming can also use cucumber beetles and armyworms as natural pest control. Both pests are known to reduce yields. Cucumber beetles are a common organic pest in watermelons. They feed on the foliage, rinds, and flowers of the melon plant. And, if you’re not careful, your crop may be destroyed by the pests.
Row cover
A row cover is a protective covering that protects plants from pests and weather extremes. They let in 70 percent of sunlight and balance the temperature by keeping plants warmer and colder. Row covers can also act as insect control. They shield plants from flying insects and can prevent disease by preventing weed seed from germinating. Among the most common types of row covers are light, medium, and heavy. To choose the right one for your organic watermelon farm, consider choosing the right type of fabric.
The most common method involves rolling the row cover on PVC pipe. Some farmers choose to manually roll the row cover. Others find it unwieldy and torn. No matter what method you choose, it’s important to store your row cover properly. It must be large enough to cover the row completely and kept safe from animals. Here are some tips to keep your row cover in top condition. To grow organic watermelons, be sure to follow these guidelines to ensure a healthy and successful crop.
To install a row cover, make sure it’s properly supported with hoops. You can use nine-gauge wire as support hoops. To support the covers, use rebar or plastic-pipe with smooth, rounded ends. You can also use fence posts as support hoops. These can be purchased at garden supply stores. A low tunnel can support a row cover with an a-frame.
Diseases
Diseases are common in watermelon and can negatively affect yield and quality. In addition to reducing yield, watermelon plants are susceptible to foliar and vine diseases. Foliar diseases can kill the plant prematurely. These infections can also cause decay in fruit, which makes it undesirable for consumption. Infections may also occur on stems, flowers, and fruit. Once an infection occurs, watermelons will not produce their optimal yield.
Bacterial wilt is spread by Striped and Spotted Cucumber Beetles. The beetles typically attack around the time of flowering. During the flowering phase, male flowers appear at the leaf joints of the main stem. One week later, female flowers develop from secondary side-shoots. If these symptoms occur, remove the row covers. To prevent the spread of these insects, apply organic fertilizers with pyrethrins.
Fusarium wilt is another common disease. While the pathogen is very difficult to eradicate, it can be controlled by limiting its spread. In some areas, applying prothioconazole to soil just before transplant is a good way to reduce disease incidence. To know more about fungicides and the recommended dose, refer to the Southeastern US Vegetable Crop Handbook. It is always advisable to read the labels before deciding on a fungicide.
Bacterial fruit blotch is a sporadic disease affecting watermelon in Oklahoma. It affects fruit growth and is more severe on transplanted crops than direct seeded ones. Bacterial fruit blotch is very harmful to watermelons, making them unmarketable. So, make sure you control water stress and manage disease outbreaks. If you do not, you’ll end up with a sad, unmarketable fruit.
Marketing methods
In the organic watermelon farming industry, marketing methods are as important as growing the crops themselves. Watermelons are best sold fresh, and large scale producers use brokers to market their products. Regardless of your method of marketing, it’s important to have a plan before you begin. Here are some common tips to help you start your marketing campaign. A good plan will include:
One of the easiest marketing options is through roadside stands, either as your own stand or at a pick-your-own operation. Although you’ll incur additional costs in terms of labor and supplies, you’ll save on the cost of harvest and packaging. Other retail options are farmer’s markets and roadside stands. Make sure to contact the markets ahead of time to make sure they’ll accept your products. Make sure to check space requirements as well.
Pollination is a vital aspect of growing organic watermelons. Bees and other insects are essential to pollinate flowers, but be sure to monitor the bees’ activity in the morning hours. Honeybee activity is best noted in the early morning hours. If you’re unable to get bees on your own, bring the beehives to the fields in the hopes of increasing your pollination rate. Additionally, some growers have found that bumblebee hives are effective for watermelon pollination.