I have 2 kinds of watermelon I want to plant. One is moon and stars, the other is unlabeled. I beleive both are seeded. Say they are both seeded melons. Will they cross pollenate, leaving me with undesirable fruits? Should I plant them ? feet apart to avoid any problems? Also, what is a best all-around fertilizer and when do I apply? I am planting from 3in. pots. Maybe a bit late but my weather stays hot for a very long time. Thanks in advance. ~Viv Lander

-- Viv Lander (century2kay@webtv.net), June 27, 2001

Answers

Hi Viv: Yes, your watermelons will crosspollinate -- but the fruit may just as likely be an improvement as undesirable. The fruit will be hybrids (but probably not sterile), and seeds saved from these may revert back to the parent types. Typically, it's recommended to plant at least 100 feet apart -- but, really, it won't hurt for them to cross. Crossing often adds vigor to the offspring. Best fertilizer in my opinion is what they say on the label..."well rotted manure" dug into the base of the melon hill.

-- Anita Evangelista (evangel@atlascomm.net), June 27, 2001.

Yes, same answer as above. If you don't want them to cross, plant a row of corn or two between them as that may help. Anything high...as it may discourage the bees to fly back and forth.

-- Ardie from WI (ardie54965@hotmail.com), June 27, 2001.

Yes, they'll cross pollinate. If you want your melons to set true to seed, bag a blossom or two and hand polinate. Better check out a seed saving book like (I think) Seed to Seed for exactly how to do this. We did it when I was a kid, but all I remember is it involved paper lunch bags, a q-tip, and pollinating at the "right" time.

-- Sojourner (notime4@summer.spam), June 27, 2001.

Cross pollenation will not effect the fruit. It will effect the plants next season if you save the seed to replant. Other's have said how to deal with this, if saving seed is your goal.

For some plants where it is the seed you eat, like corn, cross pollenation will effect this years crop.

==>paul

-- paul (p@ledgewood-consulting.com), June 27, 2001.