If you’re a fan of the juicy, refreshing sweetness of watermelons, you might have thought about growing your own. It’s a rewarding process that, with some patience and care, can give you delicious fruits right from your own garden. However, for a newbie gardener, identifying the leaves of the plant can be a challenge. Let’s take a closer look at what watermelon leaves look like.
- 🏅 TRUSTED VARIETY – Popular watermelon seeds used by gardeners for years. It produces beautiful smaller, round watermelons.
- 🍉 DELICIOUS – Although these watermelons are smaller, they pack big, sweet flavor. Very refreshing on a hot summer day.
- ☀️ HEAT LOVING – Watermelons love the heat and will thrive during the hot, summer months.
- 🇺🇸 USA – All of our seeds, including the sugar baby watermelon seeds for planting a home garden, are heirloom, open-pollinated and non-GMO, and grown in the USA. Don’t buy inferior seeds from other countries. This should give you added reassurance that not only can you enjoy the seeds this season, but you can save the seeds each year, adding food security to your home.
- ⚖️ PACKETS – Each sugar baby watermelon seed packet is printed on water-resistant paper, in full color, with growing and harvesting directions included. Each heirloom watermelon seeds packet contains at least 2 grams of seeds (approximately 45+ seeds).
Appearance of Watermelon Leaves
Watermelon leaves have a distinct appearance that sets them apart from other common garden plants. They are large, about the size of an adult’s hand or even larger, and have a deep green color. The surface of the leaf is a bit rough and feels somewhat like sandpaper when touched.
The shape of the leaves is just as distinctive. They are somewhat heart-shaped but with jagged, uneven edges. This gives them a lobed appearance, with three to five lobes being the most common. Each lobe is pointed, creating an almost star-like shape when viewed from above.
The leaves grow on long, thin vines that crawl along the ground. The vines are just as tough and rough as the leaves, and they’re a similar deep green color. The leaves alternate along the vine, providing plenty of surface area for photosynthesis, which is vital for the growth of those delicious watermelons we all love.
Variations in Watermelon Leaves Among Different Types
While all watermelon leaves share some common features, there can be small differences among different varieties. Some types of watermelon have leaves that are a lighter shade of green, while others might be darker. The size of the leaves can vary too, with some being wider or narrower depending on the specific type of watermelon. Also, certain varieties might have leaves with more pronounced lobes, making them look more deeply cut than others.
- Three Packs of Watermelon Seeds – Plant and grow your own Crimson Sweet, Yellow Petite, and Tendersweet Orange watermelon vines in your home garden. These sun-loving vines thrive in the heat of summer and can tolerate hot conditions when other plants struggle. Enjoy the refreshing, cool flavor of watermelon that you’ve grown yourself!
- Summer Flavor – Grow these juicy, delicious watermelon varieties and explore unusual flavors and old favorites. 20-25 pound Crimson Sweet watermelons are the traditional choice, while 5-7 pound Yellow Petite watermelons are the perfect size for the icebox, with a shorter growing season. Tendersweet Orange is another exotic watermelon variety that reaches up to 35 pounds. It has a unique tropical flavor.
- Sustainable Living – Vegetable gardening is an essential foundation of a more self-sufficient lifestyle. Homegrown watermelons are able to be picked at the prime time for freshness and flavor. Grow these delicious red, orange, and yellow melons at home and save the hassle of trying to find them in the store. Pickle your watermelon rinds and freeze-dry or freeze in chunks or puree for long-term storage.
- The Info You Need to Grow – The seeds are packed in a beautiful paper packet with instructions for successful growing and germination in your home garden. Each package also has instructions for saving seeds after harvest. Getting started is simple for both beginner and experienced gardeners.
- Small American Family-Owned Business – We’re committed to always providing fresh, high-quality seeds for you to plant now or to store for future growing seasons. We pledge to sell only safe, non-hybrid non-GMO heirloom seeds that are always open-pollinated, untreated, and tested to ensure the best germination rates. They will remain viable for years if stored properly in a cool dry location.
Growth Stages and the Changes in Watermelon Leaves
The appearance of watermelon leaves changes as the plant grows. When the seed first sprouts, it produces small, simple leaves that don’t look much like the mature leaves. These are called ‘seed leaves’ or cotyledons.
After a week or two, the plant starts to produce the true leaves, which have the distinctive shape and color we’ve been talking about. These leaves grow quickly, and as they mature, they become tougher and rougher to the touch.
As the watermelon plant gets older and begins to produce fruit, you may notice the older leaves starting to yellow and eventually die off. This is a normal part of the plant’s life cycle, so there’s no need to worry if you see this happening to your watermelon plant.
In summary, watermelon leaves have a unique appearance that makes them easy to identify once you know what to look for.
Common Pests and Diseases That Can Affect Watermelon Leaves
Even the most robust and hearty watermelon leaves can sometimes run into trouble. A couple of common problems are pests and diseases.
Pests that love watermelon leaves include aphids and spider mites. These tiny bugs suck the sap from the leaves, causing them to become discolored and wilt. If you spot them early, you can use a mild insecticide or natural pest control methods to get rid of them.
Diseases are another issue. Powdery mildew, a fungal disease, can cause white patches on the leaves. Fungicides can be used to control this. Another disease to watch out for is Anthracnose, which causes small, dark spots on the leaves. This can be controlled by ensuring good air circulation around your plants and avoiding water splash on the leaves.
Conclusion
Watermelon leaves are not just an essential part of the watermelon plant but a wonder of nature with their distinct look and function. They’re usually a vibrant green with a rough texture and unique shape. However, they can encounter issues like pests and diseases. Recognizing these signs can help keep your watermelon plant healthy and productive. Remember, a happy watermelon plant means delicious and juicy watermelons for you to enjoy!
