family, the watermelon is related to
the cantaloupe, squash, pumpkin, cucumber, and gourd that grow on
vines on the ground. Watermelons can be round, oblong, or spherical in
shape and feature thick green rinds that are often spotted or striped.
(Many people report, however, that they like the taste and predictable
ripeness of a watermelon best if the watermelon is symmetrical in
shape.) Watermelons range in size from a few pounds to upward of ninety
pounds. Between 600–1,200 different varieties of watermelon exist
worldwide, but all of these varieties belong to the same scientific
genus and species of plant, called Citrullis lanatus.
While we often associate a deep red/pink color with watermelons,
there are many varieties that feature orange, yellow, or white flesh.
These varieties are typically lower in the carotenoid lycopene than
red/pink varieties.
A good bit of controversy has arisen over the exact nature of
seedless watermelons. Contrary to some information that you will find on
various websites, seedless watermelons are not the result of genetic
engineering. Seedless watermelons are the result of hybridization. By
crossing a diploid watermelon (with two sets of chromosomes) and a
tetraploid watermelon (with four sets of chromosomes), it is possible to
produce a watermelon that contains triploid seeds (with three
chromosomal sets). When planted, these triploid seeds will grow into
seedless watermelons. Seedless watermelons will typically appear to
contain some white seeds even though they are labeled as seedless. These
white seeds are not actually seeds, but only empty seed coats.
Ten years ago, it was somewhat rare to find seedless watermelons
in the marketplace. Today, up to 85% of all watermelons produced in the
U.S. are estimated to be seedless. This great increase in the
availability of seedless watermelons is due to the vastly increased use
of "non-bearing pollinators" by watermelon growers. Previously, growers
were required to interplant rows of acreage with seeded, fruit-bearing
watermelons in order to pollinate their seedless varieties. Today, they
are able to pollinate with plants that produce flowers needed by bees,
but yield no fruit. These non-fruit-bearing plants allow pollination to
continue, but in a less time-consuming and space-consuming way. It's
possible to grow seedless watermelons most anywhere that seeded
watermelons will grow.
Some of the more common seedless varieties
include Fandango, Super Cool, Honeyheart, King of Hearts, Queen of
Hearts, Crimson Trio, Scarlet Trio, and SuperSweet.
Some common varieties of seeded watermelon include Jubilee, Royal
Jubilee, Royal Sweet, Crimson Sweet, Sangria, Fiesta, Sugar Baby, Baby
Doll, and Charleston Gray. A 15–20 pound diploid, seeded watermelon will
typical contain hundreds of seeds.
By Sourse : http://www.whfoods.com
By Sourse : http://www.whfoods.com