Watermelon

[SheriDi]

Hello all. On a lark I planted some watermelon seeds (smaller 6-8 lb variety) this year and they are taking over my garden. I cannot believe how long the vines are, and how many vines are on one plant - I had no idea!!!

Anyway, there are lots and lots of blooms, but 95% of the blooms are drying up and dropping off, or they form fruit and when the fruit is about an inch long it dries up and falls off. There is some fruit, maybe 3 or 4, but that's it.

Is this normal or am I doing something wrong?

Thanks,
SheriDi in Southern California

 

[Chuck]

I think one of two things are happening. The first is that the female flowers are not being pollinated and/or second you planted a seedless variety and you need a nearby seeded variety for them to pollinate.