Moon and Stars Watermelon -MIg

Description

Moon and Stars Watermelon is a unique heirloom variety famous for its dark green rind covered with bright yellow spots, resembling a starry night sky with a large “moon.” The fruits typically weigh 9–18 kg and have sweet, juicy, deep red flesh with outstanding flavor. This vigorous, high-yielding variety is an excellent choice for home gardens and thrives during the UAE’s warm growing season.

When to Plant in the UAE

• Indoors: Start seeds indoors in January.
• Outdoors: Direct sow or transplant seedlings in February, once temperatures are consistently warm and there is no risk of cold nights.

Planting & Care Tips

• Light & Soil: Plant in a location that receives 6–8 hours of full sun daily. Use fertile, well-draining sandy loam soil enriched with compost.
• Depth & Germination: Sow seeds 2–3 cm deep. Germination typically occurs within 5–10 days.
• Spacing: Space plants 90–120 cm apart, with 180–240 cm between rows to allow the vines to spread freely.
• Watering: Keep the soil consistently moist during establishment and fruit development. Reduce watering slightly as fruits mature to improve sweetness.
• Feeding: Apply compost before planting and use a balanced fertilizer during early growth. Switch to a potassium-rich fertilizer once flowering begins to encourage larger, sweeter fruits.
• Harvest: Fruits are typically ready to harvest in 90–100 days, when the tendril nearest the fruit has dried, the underside turns creamy yellow, and the rind develops a dull appearance.
• Harvesting Tips: Cut the fruit from the vine using clean pruners, leaving a short stem attached to improve storage quality.