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Vegetable Gardening

Will my yellow and orange watermelons cross-pollinate?

15 years ago

I have five OrangeGlo watermelons just about ready to transplant, and my generous neighbor brought me 15 extra plants of yellow watermelons that HE started. He says if we don't need them, throw them away.

Well, sucker that I am, I want to plant all of them -- there's room. He didn't know what kind of watermelon they were except "yellow", and has saved the seeds from prior plantings. He gave us one last year and they're absolutely delicious.

So if I plant my five in a row and then continue the (LONG!) row with his 15, are they likely to cross-pollinate? They're both OP so who knows what kind of hybrid we'd get!

Any thoughts?

And how in the world am I going to distribute all these watermelons?!?!

Featured Answer

dangould

15 years ago

If you want to save seeds it can be very easy to hand pollenate a few melons and save the seeds from those. Best pictures will be found looking at how to hand pollenate squash. squash simply have bigger flowers but the rest is the same.

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Comments (8)

farmerdilla
15 years ago
They will cross pollinate, but unless you are saving seeds it does not make any difference. The cross only shows up when you plant the crossed seeds.

And hey, I have over 200 plants ready to lay by ( 12 different cultivars)and never have any problem getting rid of them. A lot easier to give away then tomatoes.
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anney
Original Author
15 years ago
FD

Well, I'd need to expand my circle of family and friends to give away the fruit from 200 watermelon plants!

DG

Good idea. I really liked my neighbor's yellow watermelon, whatever it was, and will see if I can't do just what you suggest. I have enough of the OrangeGlo seeds to plant an entire field, so I don't think I'll save any of those seeds -- watermelon seeds are viable for a long time.

I may also save some of the seeds from each variety that is cross-pollinated and see what grows from them.

Here is a link that might be useful: Vegetable Seed Shelf Life
suzi7
15 years ago
Yes, they will cross pollinate.
They'll be find to eat this year. You won't see.
But do not save seeds and plant them next year unless you know how to save seeds properly without contamination. It could be done, there are methods, but you have to know how to do it. I think that it'll save you lots of trouble to just buy new pack of seeds next year, unless, of course seed saving is your hobbie.
rdback
15 years ago
Hi Anney,

Did your neighbor only grow this one variety of watermelon last year? If not, he may have given you seeds that have already been crossed. Just a thought.

Have a great growing season!
anney
Original Author
15 years ago
suzi

I can't buy a pack of seeds for the yellow watermelon -- he doesn't know the variety. And I have enough OrangeGlo to last for years so won't have to purchase them. I do know how to prevent cross-pollination and save the seeds -- it's pretty common among GW gardeners who grow more than one variety of cross-pollinating veggies!

rdback

Yes, that yellow watermelon was the only variety he grew last year, and in fact for many years before then, so I imagine they're "pure". I may see if I can manage to rearrange my garden layout for the yet unplanted vegetables. Maybe I can separate them by 40 feet or so, though I'm sure they'll wander into my beans if I do! That should help some.
farmerdilla
15 years ago
Anney, 40 ft won't help on insect pollinated veggies. If you want pure you will have to bag your seed melons. On the other hand, given a description we can probably identify your yellow meater.
anney
Original Author
15 years ago
FD

Thanks but I'll need to wait for the description until they've grown! The one he gave us was about 30 pounds, though he said he'd harvested larger ones. I don't remember the rind color or if there were markings.

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