Hime Kansen, Hybrid
Citrullus vulgaris
This Japanese icebox watermelon is the perfect size to fit in a fridge and has been a specialty for long time in Japan. It has firm dark red flesh and green skin with dark green stripes. It has an extremely thin rind (3/16") and excellent shipping ability. It has a high Brix count of 12.5-13 and weights 5-6 lbs. The fruit has a slightly oblong shape.
- Warm season annual
- 14,900 seed count per pound.
- Maturity: Approx. 30-40 days after fruit setting
- Planting season: Late spring to early summer
Prepare fertile, well-drained soil. Sow seeds in late spring/summer after last frost in a warm, sunny location. Soil temperatures below 50°F can slow growth. Consider using black plastic and fabric row covers to speed soil warming. Sandy or light-textured soils that warm quickly in spring are best. Sow 3 seeds per hill and space hills 3' apart. Harvest when fruit area touching ground turns yellow or when the tendril closest to the stem turns brown or dried. A mature watermelon will have a dull “plunk” sound when thumped.
We usually advise to set the first fruit on the third female flower that appears between the 16th - 21st leaf node to get a better quality fruit. After you harvest the first fruit, another fruit could be harvested between the 32nd- 42nd leaf node if the plant could keep good enough plant vigor. Additional fertilizer must be applied, too.
|
Days to germination |
3-10 days |
|
Days to maturity |
About 80-85 days |
|
Life cycle |
Warm Season Annual |
|
Plant time |
Late spring to Early Summer |
|
Spacing |
72-96 inches |
|
Sun |
Full sun well drained Soil |
|
Soil temperature |
80-85 degrees |
|
Optimum soil P.H |
6.0-6.6 |
|
Height |
6-10 feet |
|
Harvest |
80- 85 days after planting |
| Germination Temperature |
Seed Depth |
Row Distance |
| 80-85°F | 1/2" |
72-96" |