Watermelons

Fruit Set

Fruit set is categorized as the critical transition period shortly after fertilization as plant processes switch over to fruit formation and growth. A successful fruit set is integral to a healthy crop at harvest. This process can be improved with the addition of Cytokin® Plant growth regulator at key timings. Cytokin® contains plant growth hormones responsible for cell division, cell enlargement, and various other plant growth functions. The nature-based plant growth regulator effects help to maximize conditions necessary for fruit set and early fruit development.

Residual Pesticide Applications

Environmental pests come in a wide variety of forms including, diseases, insects, invasive weeds and more. The methods for controlling these pests vary as well. Some solutions require a pesticide to remain active and in contact with the leaf surface for an extended period for best results. Nu-Film-17^® Activator adjuvant is uniquely formulated to be combined with pesticides that require residual activity on the leaf or fruit surface. These include contact or ingestion-based pesticides that have direct activity on the target pests.

Sun Scald

Sunlight, while a necessary part of photosynthesis and healthy plant growth, can also have damaging effects on crop quality. When crop canopies are suddenly opened, sometimes because of disease or harvesting practices, exposed fruit can be damaged by sun scald. Reflections® Sun Reflectant can not only serve as a calcium supplement, but also a reflectant. This allows for reduced rates of sun damage and a protection of the quality of fruit harvested.

Blossom End Rot

This nutritional disorder typically occurs when plants are growing rapidly, and the first fruits are developing. When fruit cells breakdown due to a lack of calcium, dark blemishes appear on the blossom-end of affected fruits. These may enlarge until the entire bottom of the fruit becomes dark, shrunken, and leathery. Blossom-end rot is a common nutritional deficiency caused by a lack of calcium in rapidly growing fruits or vegetables. Calcium is constantly taken up by roots, but it is first transported to growing points within the plant. Cell Force® liquid fertilizer provides a necessary boost of rapidly available calcium, potentially improving fruit quality and mitigating the risk of blossom-end rot.

Brix Development

Uniform fruit ripening, color development, and Brix accumulation can be affected by numerous factors, such as photosynthesis, leaf age, nutrient deficiencies, and disease pressure. As plants begin to senesce—or age—closer to harvest, their photosynthesis and metabolic rates may be reduced. This can lead to uneven ripening and poor sugar development. Sugar Express® foliar fertilizer applications provide key nutrients which help aid the normal photosynthetic processes that drive Brix development. The accumulation of Brix earlier may improve ripening and color, which is necessary for uniform quality.

Watermelon Growth Tips

When growing watermelons, it’s important to know that the choice of fertilizer and how it’s used play critical roles in the health and yield of the crop. Maintaining the delicate balance of soil conditions needed for the healthiest crops is essential, and farmers should bear in mind the following tips when considering fertilizer for watermelon plants:

Fertilizer Scheduling: Not only is the makeup of the watermelon fertilizer important, but also when it is administered. It’s generally recommended to start with a nitrogen-based fertilizer as the seedlings take root. This helps promote stronger leaf growth, which gives the photosynthesis process a jump-start. When the plants begin to flower, this is the time to switch to fertilizers that can contain higher levels of potassium and phosphorus. The presence of these nutrients is crucial for achieving the fullest and sweetest watermelon crops when it’s time to harvest.

Why Choose Miller Chemical?

We’re committed to developing the most effective and eco-friendly agricultural products available, helping countless farmers improve the health and yield of their crops. We utilize the most advanced science to fine-tune our offerings so they’re always delivering the highest levels of value to our customers. From biostimulants to adjuvants, our products provide all the nutrients and support plants need to be at their healthiest and most profitable.

With more than 80 years of experience under our belts, we’ve built a strong reputation for solving growers’ problems around the world. Our team consists of fully trained and experienced agronomists, horticulturalists, and crop advisors who leverage their expertise to help our clients achieve the highest possible returns on their investment. Based on years of research and extensive trials, our products represent the pinnacle of agricultural science. We hold numerous patents on innovative technologies, which speaks to our thought leadership in the field. If you’re ready to learn more about everything we have to offer and how it can help your yields, reach out and speak with a knowledgeable representative from our team today.