There’s nothing like a cold slice of watermelon on a hot
summer
day — if it weren’t for all those seeds.

Watermelon lovers must agree. Consumer reports have shown that
shoppers are willing to pay more to get their melons
seedless. And farmers are hearing them loud and clear.

More and more growers are adding acres of seedless watermelons
to their crops each year. In fact, of the 35,000 acres of
watermelon
grown in Georgia this season, 25 percent were seedless
melons.

Introduced in the 50’s

An estimated 20 percent of the watermelons grown in the United
States are seedless. But seedless melons aren’t new. The first
were bred in 1951 by Dr. H. Kihara of Kyoto University in
Japan.

“Seedless watermelons are actually called triploid
watermelons
by seed companies and growers,” said John Duval, a horticulture
graduate student with the University of Georgia College
of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences.

“The name was developed,” he said, “after
consumers
complained because every now and then, a seedless watermelon will
have a seed inside.”

A Little Smaller Than Traditional
Melons

Seedless watermelons are normally red-fleshed and smaller than
traditional melons. “One of the most popular varieties grown
in Georgia is Genesis,” Duval said. “You can tell if
a melon is seedless by looking down it from the stem end. It will
have a slightly triangular shape.”

With the popularity of seedless melons on the rise, the
acreage
of Georgia-grown seedless watermelons is expected to rise to 50
percent over the next 20 years.

“Most of the seedless watermelons in the United States
are grown in Georgia, Florida, Texas and California,” Duval
said.

Duval has spent the past three years researching seedless
watermelons.
Working at the UGA Georgia Experiment Station in Griffin, Ga.,
he developed techniques that could encourage more farmers to grow
seedless melons.

Pricey Seeds, Stubborn Seeds

One reason they shy away from growing them now is the cost
of seed. The other reason is that the seeds often don’t grow
well.
“Seeds for seedless melons cost from 15 cents to 25 cents
each,” Duval said. “And then, there’s only a 60 percent
to 80 percent chance the seeds will produce.”

Duval says the high seed price is a direct result of the
difficulty
breeders have in producing the seeds.

“It’s like crossing a horse and a donkey,” said
Duval.
“You get a mule, but it can’t reproduce. Producing seedless
watermelon seed is a long, tedious process. One successful cross
produces just a few seeds.”

Working on his research thesis, Duval found two methods that
may help farmers’ success rates with seedless melons.

“Seedless watermelon seeds don’t germinate well. But I’ve
had success by clipping the seeds before planting,” he said.
“You just clip a hole in the round end of the seed. Many
Asian seed companies actually recommend doing this.”

The other method Duval has found effective involves presoaking
the seeds in a 1-percent hydrogen peroxide solution. “This
helps pregerminate the seeds,” he said.

Try Growing Your Own

Duval said backyard gardeners can try these techniques at home
next season. “You can grow seedless watermelons at
home,”
said Duval. “Just remember you need to start them as
transplants
before you put them in your garden spot.”

He also warns backyard gardeners not to over water their
seedless
melon transplants. “They should be lightly watered to
improve
the air movement around the seeds until they emerge,” he
said. “If you water them too much, the seeds can’t
breathe.”

Duval said seedless watermelon seeds should be available in
small packets at lawn and garden centers. “If you can’t find
them there, you’ll find lots of choices in seed catalogs,”
he said.