Crops
Watermelon
(Citrullus lanatus)
- Type of vegetable : fruit.
- Optimum growth pH range: 5-6.8
- Optimum growth temperature range : 28-35°C
- Organic matter requirements :
- Rooting : deep (more than 120 cm)
- Special requirements : indifferent to photoperiodism. Significant light requirements and appreciates dry climates. Well suited to Mayotte. Pay attention to good irrigation management (sugar content) and good insolation.
- Seed characteristics
- Number of seeds per gram : 5 - 15
- Nursery : Optional
- Sowing depth : 20 - 30 mm
- Line spacing : 180 - 250 cm
- Interplant : 70 - 150 cm
- Remarks : 2 to 3 seeds/pockets in direct sowing. Beware of high temperatures which delay germination
- Seed germination time
| 20°C | 25°C | 30°C | 35°C |
| 12 d | 5 d | 4 days | 3 days |
- Duration of the crop cycle under optimal growing conditions
| Nursery | Field |
Pollination at commercial maturity |
| 20-30 d | 65-95 d | 40-45 d |
- Optimal storage conditions
| Temperatures | Relative humidity | Average shelf life |
| 10-15°C | 90% | 2 to 3 weeks |