WHY WATERMELON IS NOT SWEET

Have you ever tasted a bitter gourd? Or ever had a taste of cucumber that was not properly watered?. They are both bitter but the difference is this, one finds its true essence in its bitterness. Therefore, it has to be bitter in fact the more it’s bitter the healthier and richer while the other one tastes bitter as a result of cultivation problems. The nature of a bitter gourd is to be bitter and when it’s not as bitter, there’s a problem sometimes when it’s too bitter, you’ll almost conclude that this one matured well. We are not discussing bitter gourd, but this is just an illustration to help you understand that when a plant does not take its natural form, it has a problem. Now let’s talk about why watermelon is not sweet.

In the case of watermelons, they vary in specie. However, they are not known to be neutral fruits, some are sweeter than others, but they are naturally sweet fruits. Watermelons naturally contain a type of sugar called fructose also known as fruit sugar which makes them naturally sweet. This sugar is not harmful and can be consumed by even diabetic patients. However, whatever is taken in excess looses its essence and becomes harmful. When a watermelon is not as sweet as it should be according to its specie, there’s a problem. 

In this article we’d be discussing the reasons why the watermelon doesn’t come out as sweet as it should be. Also ways to improve its sweetness, to facilitate purchase in the market and increase it’s nutrient content.

Here are some of the possible reasons why watermelons turn out not sweet.

Excessive Watering

Watermelons require enough supply of water at the initial stage of growth to encourage root development and vine spread. But once it’s approaching the fruiting stage, the water supply should be reduced. This is because excess watering at this stage would dilute the fructose that had initially been formed and reduce its concentration which automatically reduces the sugar. Consistent watering at the fruiting stage makes the fruit come out less sweeter.

Premature Harvest

Harvesting before complete ripening. Many times, farmers make the mistake of thinking size is maturity, although it’s a factor. It is quite unwise to consider it as the only factor especially when demand is high. Harvesting at this stage cuts short the final process of fructose saturation in the fruit, thereby reducing its sweetness.

Poor Soil Fertility

Watermelon thrives best in sandy loam soil. But even at that, before planting, an adequate amount of fertilizer ought to be infused in the soil to promote growth. Adequate amount of fertilizer at the initial stage of planting and top dressing before harvest increases the secretion of fructose in the fruit. And if this is not done, it may reduce the sugar level in the fruit.

Time of Planting

The suitable weather condition for ripening stage in watermelons are tropical to warm temperatures (90℉). This weather condition helps to promote the concentration of fructose and makes it sweeter. Irrespective of the variety you are planting, watermelons need at least 8 hours of full sunlight per day. If ripening takes place during the cold rainy season, it will most likely come out less sweet.

Having discussed some of the reasons why the watermelon might not turn out as sweet as it should be, here are some tips to help improve it’s sweetness.

• Mix boron with water and spray at the base of your plant and also the leaves once the vine starts to wander. This mineral helps to boost fructose production and increase the chances of flower production. This in turn encourages quick fruit production.
• Young watermelon plants require a lot of water for vine production and root development. However once fruiting starts, water application should be minimal because excess water at this stage dilutes the sugar and reduces the sweetness. So at fruiting stage, the lesser the water the sweeter the watermelon.
• Exposure to heat and sun improves the sweetness.
• Use adequate amount of compost manure prior to planting and top dress 3-4 weeks after planting to provide more nutrient. It also adds extra heat which in turn facilitates fructose concentration.

Watermelons are often consumed alone and it’s essence is in it’s sweetness. They have a lot of health benefits one of which is that it aids digestion and supplies the body with natural sugars. So, if you are a watermelon farmer or a lover of watermelons, you might just consider these factors when next watermelon doesn’t taste as sweet as it should.