Melon Seeds

Official Name :Cucumis melo

General description: Melon is a member of the Cucurbitaceae family. Its closest relatives are squashes and cucumbers. Melons originate from Africa and southwestern parts of Asia. Ancient Egyptians have been cultivated melons 2000 years BC. After they become widely spread and popular in Europe, melons were introduced to America by the Spanish settlers during the 15th and 16th century. There are numerous varieties of melons that differ in size, color and sweetness of the fruit. Melons are symbol of fertility and vitality, but also of luxury because they were expensive and scarce in the past.  Size of melon depends on the variety. Largest recorded watermelon had 262 pounds of weight. Melon grows as vine. It has round stem that produces lateral tendrils. Green leaves are oval or circular in shape. They have shallow lobes.

How to grow: 

Sow two seeds per pot of seed compost in a 9cm pot. Water well, and then place the pots in a propagator at a temperature of at least 18°C (65°F). Keep the propagator in a well-lit position.After germination, remove the weaker of the two seedlings and keep the compost moist but not too wet. After the first true leaves have emerged, reduce the temperature in the propagator to a minimum temperature of 15°C (59°F).Plant out in late spring to early summer. Pinch out the main growing point to two or three buds, to encourage sideshoots to develop. As the plants establish, keep tying the long main stem to a plant support. Make sure the compost is kept moist at all times, which will mean checking the plants every day. Start to add a liquid feed once a week to encourage strong growth. To prevent the plant from becoming too crowded, pinch out sideshoots after three or four leaves, on a weekly basis.Thin out developing fruits, allowing just four melons to grow per pot-grown plant. As the fruits develop, water well and feed with a high potash liquid feed, such as comfrey solution. Support heavy fruits with a pair of tights, or netting such as the net bags you buy oranges in. As the fruits ripen they will give off a sweet aroma and will soften at the end opposite the stalk. The skin may also change colour. Finally, small cracks will develop on the fruit around the stalk, which means it’s time to pick.

Benefits of melon: 

• Rich in Nutrients. 
• May Help Reduce Blood Pressure. 
• Contains Nutrients Vital to Bone Health.
• May Improve Blood Sugar Control. 
• Rich in Electrolytes and Water. 
• May Support Healthy Skin. 
• May Boost Your Immune System. 
• May Promote Proper Digestion.