Midwest Vegetable Guide - 2022 - 121

Cucurbit Crops - Horticulture
Wayfarer) do not have stripes, but rather a pure dark green
rind. A unique rind pattern called moon and star has goldenyellow
spots on a deep green background. Seed companies
have successfully bred both seedless and seeded watermelons
with the moon and star patterns. The shapes of most large
watermelons are blocky or oblong, while mini watermelons
tend to be round.
Although watermelons with red flesh are most familiar,
yellow, orange and white-fleshed varieties are available.
Varieties include Orange Crisp (orange, seedless), Amarillo
(yellow, seedless) and Cream of Saskatchewan (white,
seeded).
Table of Watermelon Varieties Resistance to Fusarium
Wilt
Inclusion of the varieties in the table below does not imply
endorsement of criticism of any variety or company. Refer to
company literature for information on host resistance claims.
The resistance ratings provided here are averages based on
several years of greenhouse research. In that research, each
watermelon variety was observed after receiving an artificial
inoculation with a race 1 strain of the disease. ++++ = good
resistance; +++ = moderate resistance; ++ = some resistance;
+ = little or no resistance.
Variety
Ace
Afternoon Delight
Companion
Crunchy Red
Distinction
Fascination
Fiesta
Indiana
Jenny
Liberty
Palomar
Matrix
Melody
Mickey Lee
Pinnacle
Polimax 6017
Regency
Revolution
Royal Sweet
Sidekick
SP-5
Summer Sweet 5244
Summer Sweet 7167
SW 4502
Trillion
Triple Threat
Tri-X 313
Troubadour
Vagabond
Type
Pollenizer
Seedless
Pollenizer
Seedless
Seedless
Seedless
Regular
Seedless
Pollenizer/ Regular
Seedless
Seedless
Seedless
Seedless
Pollenizer/ Regular
Pollenizer
Pollenizer
Pollenizer/ Regular
Seedless
Regular
Pollenizer
Pollenizer
Seedless
Seedless
Seedless
Seedless
Seedless
Seedless
Seedless
Seedless
Planting and Spacing
All cucurbits should be planted after the danger of frost is
past, unless frost protection is used, because they are not
frost-tolerant. Air temperatures below 50° F cause chilling
injury and so it is best to wait until minimum temperatures
Resistance
+
+1/2
+++1/2
++
++++
++++
++1/2
++
++1/2
++
+
+++1/2
+++
++1/2
+1/2
++
++++
+
++
+++1/2
++++
++
+
+1/2
+1/2
+++
+1/2
+
+++1/2
are above that. For proper germination of direct-seeded crops,
soil temperature must be above 60° F. Planting too early
(when the soil is too cold and wet) results in poor seedling
emergence.
Cucumbers for fresh market: Rows 4 to 6 feet apart. Plants
15 to 18 inches apart in row.
Cucumber pickles for machine harvest: Rows 18 to 20
inches apart. Plants 5 to 7 inches apart in row.
Maximum cucumber yields and fruit quality result only if
plants receive adequate and timely moisture. Depending on
your soil type, obtaining high-quality cucumbers requires
approximately 1 to 2 inches of water per week. An irregular
water supply, particularly during blossoming and fruit
development, can negatively affect fruit quality and result in
increased nubs or hooked fruit.
Melons: Rows 5 to 7 feet apart. Plants 3 to 5 feet apart in
row. 1 to 2 plants per hill. Plastic mulch is recommended.
Clear mulch is suggested only for earliest plantings in
northern areas.
Melons are moderately deep rooted and require adequate soil
moisture with good drainage. Natural rainfall may not be
adequate, so supplemental irrigation may be required,
particularly in the early stages of growth. When irrigating,
irrigate the soil in the effective root zone to field capacity. A
good, steady moisture supply is critical for good melon
production. After melons have attained a good size, it is best
to reduce irrigation. Reduced irrigation at this time can, in
some cases, increase the mature fruit's sugar content.
Excessive moisture during fruit ripening can result in soft and
split fruit.
Pumpkins and Squash - bush types: Rows 4-6 feet apart.
Plant 18-24 inches apart in row. Seed: 4-6 pounds per acre.
Pumpkins and Squash - vining types: Rows 6-8 feet apart.
Plant 2-5 feet apart in row. Seed: 2-3 pounds per acre.
Watermelons: Rows 6 to 12 feet apart. Plants 3 to 6 feet
apart in row. One plant per hill. Plastic mulch is
recommended for all transplanted watermelons.
Watermelons - mini or " personal-sized " : Rows 6 to 10
feet apart. Plants 1.5 to 2 feet apart in row to allow 12 to 15
square feet per plant.
Pumpkins, winter squash, and watermelons are deep-rooted
plants, so natural rainfall often is adequate, and irrigation
may not be cost effective on heavier soils. Adequate soil
moisture in the early growth stages will help ensure vigorous
growth. Soil moisture also is critical during blossoming and
fruit development.
Midwest Veg Guide 2022
121
Midwest Vegetable Guide - 2022

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