Why does my watermelon plant only have male flowers?

If you’re growing watermelons (Citrullus lanatus) for the first time, don’t get upset when the first flowers fall from the plants without producing fruit. These first flowers are male flowers whose only purpose is to provide pollen to fertilize the female flowers. They fall off the plants a day or two after they open.

Why are there no female flowers on my watermelon plant?

When watermelon plants produce mostly foliage and few fruits, they are likely spaced too close to the next vine. Unlike other watermelons, seedless varieties do not produce both male and female flowers and need a seeded type nearby to facilitate pollination, or they will not bear fruit.

How do I get more watermelons?

To maximize the size of the melons, water the plants at the base in regular, deep-watering sessions that keep the soil moist. Side dress the watermelon plants with fertilizer designed for edible crops or compost tea to feed the plants. The fertilizer encourages growth to get larger melons.

How can you tell if a watermelon flower is pollinated?

They are discernible by the large stamens located at their center when open. When the male flowers do appear, it is a sign that the female flowers are coming soon after. Watch carefully for the female flowers since they open for one day per growing season and once they are gone, you cannot pollinate the plant.

How do you know if a watermelon flower is pollinated?

Watermelons must be pollinated in order to set fruit. Male and female flowers grow separately, the male flowers appearing about a week before the female flowers do. You can identify female flowers by the swollen base, which will turn into fruit once pollinated.

Is Epsom salt good for watermelon plants?

Flat, tasteless melons can be due to a lack of magnesium or boron in the soil. It has been found that such fruits can be sweetened by giving them a dose of Epsom salts and borax. Spray the plants when the vines start to run and again when the fruits are between one and two inches in diameter.

How can you tell if a watermelon flower is male or female?

First, you must distinguish between the male and female flowers, which are both yellow. Female flowers are attached to the plant by what appears as an immature watermelon, while males are attached by only a thin greenish stem.

Is Miracle Grow good for watermelons?

Grow melons faster by starting with young plants from Bonnie Plants®. Plant melons when ground temperatures are above 70 degrees F. Before planting, add nutrients to native soil by mixing in a 3-inch layer of Miracle-Gro® Performance Organics® All Purpose In-Ground Soil.

How do I know if my watermelon flower is pollinated?

Do watermelon plants bloom with both male & female flowers?

A watermelon plant is a cucurbit and as such bloom with both male and female flowers and can be pollinated without the help of another watermelon plant. If you’re growing watermelons (Citrullus lanatus) for the first time, don’t get upset when the first flowers fall from the plants without producing fruit.

Why do the first watermelon flowers fall off without fruit?

If you’re growing watermelons (Citrullus lanatus) for the first time, don’t be alarmed when the first flowers fall from the plants without producing fruit. These first flowers are male flowers whose only purpose during this watermelon flowering stage is to provide pollen to fertilize the female flowers on these annual vines.

How do you pollinate a watermelon?

Male stems have no swollen area. Honeybees are the only natural pollinators for watermelon flowers because of the large size of the pollen grains and the way the pollen is released from the anthers. If you have no bees in your garden, you must hand-pollinate the flowers. Choose a fully open male flower and remove all the petals.

What happens if there is no pollen from the male flower?

The pollen from the male flower needs to be moved, usually by bees, to the female bloom. If there is insufficient bee activity, not enough pollen will be delivered to properly fertilize the female flowers. The result will be either no fruit or malformed fruit.