Annual watermelon seed Starlight

hybridredgreen

Exclusive! Round "icebox" watermelon with sweet red flesh. Round, 8" diameter fruits weighing 10–12 lb. Deep green with highly contrasting black stripes. We trial dozens of watermelons each year, and Starlight consistently comes out on top for flavor and texture. Avg. 1–2 fruits/plant. Avg. 11,200 seeds/lb. Packet: 30 seeds. SCIENTIFIC NAME: Citrullus lanatus var. lanatus CULTURE: A light, well-drained soil with a pH of 6.5–7.5 and a southern exposure is ideal. Good soil moisture is important in early stages of growth and during pollination when fruits are setting. After this point do not water the last week before fruits are ripe, as overwatering can cause bland fruit. TRANSPLANTING: Sow indoors in 50-cell plug trays or 2–3" peat pots in late April or one month (no sooner!) before transplanting outdoors. Plant 2 seeds per cell or pot, about ½–1" deep. Keep temperature 80–90°F (27–32°C) until germination. Handle young plants carefully and never let the soil dry out. Grow seedlings at 75°F (24°C). Reduce water and temperature for a week to harden seedlings. When the weather is frost-free, warm, and settled, transplant 2–3' apart in rows 6–8' apart, or thin to 1 plant/pot or cell with scissors and transplant 18" apart. Even hardened watermelon seedlings are tender! Do not disturb roots when transplanting, and water thoroughly.