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Iowa

I know I got a little late start, but I have a few watermelon plants I started inside and I have them under a grow light since they broke ground about 3-4 inches above the pots. Well some of them grew up into and past the lights. My question is what do I do with them now. Can they be planted like a tomato plant? You know, just plant them deeper and put dirt around the long stem, or does this kill them ? Any suggestions would be helpful, even if it is throw them away and start over. They are probably 4 - 5 inches tall.

5/23/2012 7:10:31 AM

formerly RGG

You may get stem rot if you plant them too deep. The leggy stems on watermelon plants do not produce roots. Get them into the sun during the day if you can. Consider switching to HID lighting and using more hours of light per day. Plants get leggy because they are not receiving enough light. Keep your plant leaves as close to the light source as possible. HID lighting will burn plants leaves if they get too close though.

5/23/2012 8:32:49 AM

Iowa

yep I sure thought I was giving them enough light. I keep it on 24 hours a day and it is a grow light specifically made for seedlings. Maybe I should have turned bottom heat down sooner? It does seem like watermelons are harder to stop from getting leggy. It is plenty of light for my pumpkins!

5/23/2012 2:11:41 PM

Pataskala,OH

I started regular and giant watermelons, the regular were not leggy the giant were particularly the 239 Leonard. It must be genetic.

5/23/2012 2:32:22 PM

formerly RGG

I think it is genetic. But that said, I never get any leginess from using metal halide lights on mine.

5/23/2012 8:23:32 PM

Valencia Spain

mine i germinated in greenhouse as soon as they started to germinate i put the pots outside and then they dont get leggy

5/25/2012 2:42:33 PM

formerly RGG

That is truly the way to go westham. These plants need as much sunshine as possible.

5/25/2012 9:45:49 PM