This archive report was first published on 11 January 2020.
Watermelon is a versatile and easy-to-grow crop, but its high water content makes it prone to spoilage. To grow watermelon successfully, one needs to understand its requirements and challenges.
According to Alex, a watermelon farmer in Kajiado County, heavy rain and excess water can be detrimental to the crop. He lost his crops recently due to the rain, which caused the seeds to rot. In another part of his farm, the mature watermelons burst due to the excess water.
The crop requires minimal water throughout its growth, making it suitable for semi-arid areas under irrigation. As the fruit develops, it requires less water, making it sweet due to the sugar content and concentration.
Watermelon crops need six to eight hours of direct sunlight daily to develop properly. Excess water can cause newly sowed seeds to rot, reducing the germination rate. Heavy rain during the vegetative stage can cause defoliation, making the crop more susceptible to fungal diseases.
The spacing of the crop is critical, as it grows in vines and spreads on the ground. The ideal spacing is 1.5x1 meter. The melon can be planted by direct seeding or transplanting after sowing the seeds in a nursery for a month.
It's advisable to use seedling trays to ensure the seedlings are transplanted with a lump of soil, minimizing root disturbance. Generally, fruits take three to four months to mature, depending on the variety and ecological conditions.
A plant produces two fruits on average, each weighing eight kilos. A third fruit usually weighs four kilogrammes. This means one plant should generate approximately 20 kilogrammes of fruit.
Considering the germination rate, a farmer should have on average of 400 plants. With every plant generating 20 kilos of fruit, a farmer with a quarter an acre piece will get an average yield of seven to eight tonnes of melons.
This can generate Sh140,000 to Sh160,000 if a kilogramme of watermelon goes for Sh20. To achieve this, the farmer needs to be cautious when growing the melon, avoiding mechanical injuries and root disturbance.
One of the greatest challenges watermelon growers face is the fruit fly. The insect mainly affects young fruits, leading to fruit abortion. The larva stage of the fruit fly is the most destructive stage, as it tunnels through the fruits and feeds on them, making the young plant distorted.
It's advisable to protect the crop against the insect during the early stages of growth. Traps with pheromones can be used to control the destructive insect and its larvae. Affected fruits should be removed and disposed of well, as they may still be containing the larvae.
