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Mn

I am going to plant a couple varieties of seedless watermelon this year and was wondering if I have to use the pollinator they send with the seeds. I am also planting a variety that has male flowers on it and would think that would get the job done. Any reason to plant the pollinator they send with? Would hate to not get any melons because I didn't use the proper pollinator.

4/18/2012 6:14:51 PM

Menomonie, WI (mail@gr8pumpkin.net)

I would say if they sent a pollinator plant with. I would plant it.

4/18/2012 7:01:35 PM

El Paso TX.

I'd agree with Linus -- could be the male flowers on the seedless plants are infertile so you need the pollinator in order to get any fruit !

4/18/2012 10:05:10 PM

Mn

I will probably just plant the seeds they send with then just to be sure.

JDFan- It is my understanding that seedless watermelon have no male flowers. Not positive though as I have never grown one before.

Thanks for the replies.

4/19/2012 8:22:35 AM

Menomonie, WI (mail@gr8pumpkin.net)

I am not even sure if it is that. I think that it requires pollination by that pollinator. We used to grow a japanese hybrid squash that had to be crossed with a specific C.Mosochata in order to produce fruit. With a seedless watermelon pollination takes place but the seeds are not viable. It is more like the female is sterile..will produce fruit but not seeds. Reminds of some larger pumpkins

4/19/2012 1:46:14 PM

Waynesboro, Virginia

The male and female flowers are born separately on the watermelon plant. Female flowers must be pollinated for fruit to set. Also, cross pollination must occur between a seedless and a regular type watermelon for seedless fruit to be produced. Seedless watermelon plants do not produce enough fertile pollen to make melons. Approximately one-third of the plants in the garden should be of the standard or 'pollinator' variety. One pollinator plant should be grown for every two seedless watermelon plants. The pollinator watermelon should have a rind color or pattern different from that of the seedless watermelon. Come harvest time, the gardener can easily tell which melons have seeds and which don't, based on the differing rind color. Honey bees are the principal insects that pollinate watermelons. Pollination is a must, and poor or partial pollination may result in misshapen fruit and no seedless melons.

4/19/2012 3:51:14 PM

formerly RGG

Any regular watermelon with a normal amount of pollen will work just fine to pollinate your seedless melons.

5/29/2012 10:29:12 PM