A suitable pollinator, such as ZG-1, which is distinctively different from the commercial variety, is used. There is one pollinator for every 4th plant (25% of the population) and they are either within the row or beside the row. Do not use dedicated rows for the pollinator.

Irrigation
Seedless watermelons generally need 30% more water than regular watermelons. Before planting, the field should be wet to a depth of 1 meter. Therefore, in the initial stages of growth the plants will not need very much additional water. Irrigation with a class “a” evaporation pan is as follows: a) From planting until completion of setting irrigate once every 7-10 days returning 40-60% of the evaporation. b) From completion of setting until just before ripening, irrigate once every 5-7 days returning 70-80% of the evaporation rate. c) From the beginning of ripening, irrigate once every 5 days returning 70-80% of the evaporation rate.

Fertilization
A field lacking N:P:K should receive the following materials in the beds: super phosphate 800-1200 kg/ha, ammonium sulfate 250 kg/ha and potassium chloride 300 kg/ha. After planting and establishment, wait 10 days and apply 20-40 kg of pure nitrogen and 30 kg of pure phosphorus/ha. Wait another 10 days and apply 20 kg of nitrogen and 20 kg of phosphorus/ha. When pollination is complete and the fruits are the size of tennis balls (approx. 45-50 days after planting) resume feeding with a 5:3:8 feed at 120-150 ppm nitrogen. In normal watermelons the water is stopped 10-14 days before harvest but with mini-seedless it is only 5-7 days.

Q. How does one know when the personal sized watermelon is ready to pick?

A. It is difficult to know exactly when to pick personal sized watermelons because the fruits having pollinated at different times then mature at different times. It is critical to pick the fruit at the correct time as it affects the quality and the shelf life.

Tips for harvesting:

1. Count the days from fruit set. Early varieties, which are also weather dependent, ripen 40-65 days after pollination and later varieties 70-80 days. Experience will help judge the correct number of days.
2. The dryness of the tendril was a good characteristic on older varieties. However, it is not as good a characteristic on the new personal sized watermelons although there are times when it may be useful.
3. The fruit size and slight colour changes indicate when the fruit is ready. The fruit has a known size and the background colour of the fruit slightly fades.
4. The yellow belly or patch on the underside touching the ground is another possible sign of ripeness.
5. Tap or hit the fruit after it is picked and if there is an echo it is probably ready.
6. Trial pick 10-20 fruits at any given time and see how many are ripe.
7. The best guide to picking is the knowledge one gains from continuously growing and opening the fruits. Experience is the key to picking properly.