DESCRIPTION
A spreading, tender annual member of the cucurbitaceae family. It produces round, oval, or oblong fruit. The fruit flesh can be pink, red, yellow, or grayish white. Rinds are thick, green and often spotted or striped. Male and female flowers appear on the same vine.
PLANTING
Sow directly into soil. Sow seeds 2cm deep. Soil temperature should be at least 18°C. Plant about 2m apart.
GROWING CONDITIONS
Grows well in direct sunlight, warm temperatures.
Should have open wind source for ventilation.
Prefers fertile, deep, well drained, light textured soil.
Does not tolerate heavy soils. Grows in slightly acidic soils.
Wants consistent moisture.
GROWING HINTS
Raise the soil into rows or mounds. Each mound about 1 square metre and 30cm high. Plant three groups in the mound of about 3-4 seeds in each group. Each group should be about 30cm apart. After germination, cut off the growing tip of the weakest shoots, leaving the strongest in each group.
Mulch with well aged manure.
When the vines are about 2m long, cut off the growing tips. (This encourages the vine to branch out).
Harvest approximately 85 – 95 days after planting.
The curly tendril at the stem of the watermelon should be completely dry.
Look for a dullish look to the rind rather than shiny.
The melon should sound hollow when tapped.
USES
Used in beauty products. Essence is added to bath and body fragrances.
Applied juice protects skin from the sun.
Applied juice clears skin – leaving it free from blemishes.
Grated rind pulp makes a good 10 minute re-hydrating and exfoliating scrub or pack.
Rind can be fried, pickled, put in salsa, or candied.
Seeds can be salted, baked, ground to flour, steeped for tea.
NUTRITION
Watermelon seed kernels, dried | Weight: 100g |
Iron | 7.3 mg |
Zinc | 10.2 mg |
Calories | 557 |
Fat | 47 g |
Magnesium | 515 mg |
Calcium | 54 mg |
Phosphorus | 755 mg |
Manganese | 1.6 mg |
http://www.nutritiondata.com/facts/nut-and-seed-products/3147/2
1 cup of Watermelon, raw, peeled. | Weight: 195g |
Calories | 45 |
Protein | 0.6 g |
Fat | 0.4 g |
Carbohydrates | 09.8 g |
Fibre | 1.2 g |
Calcium | 11 mg |
Sodium | 4 mg |
Iron | 0.8 mg |
Vitamin A | 390 ug |
Vitamin B6 | .3 mg |
Ascorbic Acid | 13 mg |
English, R., & Lewis, J. (1991), Food for Health: A Guide to Good Nutrition with Nutrient Values for 650 Australian foods. Australian government Publishing Service, Canberra.
Watermelon is 92% water.
Water-soluble fiber has been found in the watermelon comprising 82 percent of the total dietary fiber. Dietary intake of this class of fiber has been shown in clinical studies to reduce serum cholesterol and has been associated with many other health benefits.
Rinds contain citrulline, an amino acid that plays an important role in the human body's urea cycle, which removes nitrogen from the blood and helps convert it to urine. That's where citrulline helps create arginine, another amino acid--one in which some people are deficient.
COMPANIONS
Grow with corn, bean and squash families.
Can also be grown with sunflowers, peas, potatoes and other cucurbits.
PESTS
Striped cucumber beetles – Pick of beetles and larvae when seen.
Fungal infections – Do not allow foliage to be constantly wet. Water only in the morning.
