Watermelon Varieties

1. Introduction

Watermelon prefers a hot and dry climate with daytime temperature between 22 to 30°C. Temperatures above 35°C or below 10°C will slow the growth and maturation of the crop. Watermelon fruits that are grown under hot and dry conditions have higher sugar content than fruits that those grown under cool and humid conditions.

It can grow at altitudes of up to 1500 m, best growing areas are the lowlands with high temperatures and relatively low rainfall where irrigation may or may not be necessary. Optimum rainfall requirement per cropping season is 600 mm and 400 mm is considered minimum. Excessive humidity may favor leaf diseases and also affect flowering.

2. Varieties

Common commercial varieties of watermelon grown in Rwanda include: Sugar baby and Crimson sweet.

This small and round melon is dark green on the outside with a bright red, firm and fine-grained flesh that is super sweet.

A pretty, light green melon with dark stripes, Crimson Sweet is famous for its high sugar content and great flavor. Seeds are small and dark. The vines are resistant to anthracnose and fusarium wilt.