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Container Gardening

Watermellon Container growing

15 years ago

I am wanting to grow watermelon, pumpkin, and cantelope in 7" pots. Is this OK or do these plants need a bigger pot to grow in? I am planning on having them grow up a trellis and support the fruit when they become heavy.

Thanks!!

Jen

Featured Answer

ilikewinter

15 years ago

Actually, I beg to differ. I used a windowsill box last year and successfully grew watermelon (sugar baby variety). I was really surprised since everyone said it couldn't be done (like they are here). They were the sweetest little things when they were ripe; the plants were quite vigorous. I just made sure that the leaves got plenty of sun but the soil (therefore roots) were shaded so it didn't dry out quickly. Of course, it's probably much better to grow in a deeper pot, but I just wanted to throw this in the mix to say it CAN be done, you just have to be selective about site and keep a careful watch on soil dryness! If you have room for a bigger pot, though, by all means use the larger size!

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Comments (9)

justaguy2
15 years ago
A 7" pot is too small, sorry.

For larger plants like these a 5 gallon bucket sized container is the practical minimum. Keep the word 'minimum' in mind. 10-15 gallons would be preferable.

Smaller containers are incapable of holding enough water and nutrients to sustain these plants unless you can water/fertilize multiple times per day in the heat of summer. Even if you can, a 7" container would still be pushing it in terms of root constriction (roots filling the container to the point they choke themselves to death and displace the water/nutrient holding potting mix).
jengc
Original Author
15 years ago
That is EXACTLY what I wanted to know! I am going to see if I can find a 5 gallon bucket. I was going to do the square foot garden method (raised bed kinda thing) but I didnt want to make the boxes LOL I was wondering if they were like tomatoes and you have to give them enough space so they dont choke themselves. THANKS!!
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justaguy2
15 years ago
I am going to see if I can find a 5 gallon bucket

Better yet, call landscape companies and ask if you can have some black plastic containers for free. Landscape companies consider the containers their trees/shrubs are in trash once they put the plant in a customer's yard.

You should be able to get 1-25 gallon containers for free or ultra low cost just for asking.
earthworm73
15 years ago
I an growing muskmelons in a contianer this year although it is a 15 gallon one. If you have one of those storage totes around the house you could poke some large holes in the bottom or get two and make a SWC which would be better. The instructions on how to build a SWC can be found on the web and this site.

Larrick
justaguy2
15 years ago
how many gallons of soil did the window box container, ilikewinter? They can be deceptively voluminous.
ilikewinter
15 years ago
I don't know the gallon amount, but it says it is 24"L x 7" W x 6" H. ? Not sure if the measurements help.
justaguy2
15 years ago
It is a 4 gallon container, ilikewinter. I would recommend larger in most cases, but good on you for making it work.
earthworm73
15 years ago
Ok scratch what I said earlier about growing muskmelons in a container. The stupid seeds didn't come up so yesterday I planted Sugar Baby Watermelon seeds instead. I plan on turing an empty 15 gallon pot (same exact pot) open side down and placing the planted pot on top of it so the vines can cascade down.

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