Some insights into Watermelon farming (pictorials)

It has been a while since I last published. This is because of the many engagements with farmers that took all of my time (am not complaining). Besides, it was not easy to find reliable internet to effect these posting, so if you are able to read, thank God, it worked.

I want to take you through the insights of farming Watermelon and propagation of Onions. I will do this through pictures. Lets move along!

Water Melon Plantation

A happy Farmer

Water melon Crop nearing flowering

This is the ideal shape for water melon fruits.

When planted in Barrows(holes) as opposed to furrows, management becomes easy. They are easily watered, scouted for diseases and fertilized.

Water melon has female and male flowers on the same strand. There is one female flower in every five male flowers, which end up developing fruits.

Leaf depicting signs of Watermelon Mosaic Virus (WMV).

WMV is serious and spreads really fast. when you witness such characteristics in your crops, uproot the affected crop and burn (total destruction). It is also good to quarantine the particular barrows affected by WMV.

Controlling Melon fly. This is the most important pest in Water melon and if not controlled from the onset of fruition, the farmer may end up with fruits that will not be acceptable in the market. The male flies are attracted and trapped here, leaving the female population unable to lay eggs which is normally done inside the fruits.

A male flower

A female flower, which eventually bears fruits.

Yet to mature melon fruit. This will weigh slightly above 10 kgs.

This is the effect of Melon fly. This fruit was injured while still small, resulting to its deformity upon maturity. Such a fruit doesn't fetch much in the market if at all it attracts any market.

Well prepared field for melon propagation

Flood irrigation. The water is directed into sunken beds, furrows or burrows and floods them.

Onion under propagation. These are sunken beds. raised beds are equally good provided water is in plenty.

A reliable river can support meaningful agriculture.