Why are the watermelons not sweet? 22.04.2025 21:07:04

Lyubov Rytikova: Answering subscribers' questions.



Question: I really love watermelons and melons! But for some reason, mine grow, but they're not sweet. I would be very grateful to you for the lesson!

Lyubov Rytikova: The sweetness of watermelons and melons depends heavily on many factors: the variety, the weather during the summer season, the soil, the nutrients, and the agricultural practices.

Let’s take a closer look.
Of course, the variety is the foundation of everything. Some varieties accumulate sugars better, and there are those that are less sweet. Some varieties may require more heat or specific soil conditions to achieve sweetness.



For watermelons and melons to be sweet, the plants need enough phosphorus and potassium in their nutrition. However, it’s better to avoid nitrogen fertilizers. An excess of nitrogen can also trigger excessive leaf growth at the expense of sugar formation.

If the summer turned out to be cold and rainy, your watermelons may not accumulate enough sugar, they may simply not ripen. But here, watermelons are sweet in any season.

The soil in which your watermelons grow also plays a big role: for watermelons, I have made special watermelon beds.



Overwatering during the ripening of the fruits can also result in tasteless fruits, so it’s better to limit watering during ripening for better sugar accumulation. If watermelons receive too much water, it can lead to the dilution of sugars. On the other hand, a lack of water can also negatively affect the quality of the fruits.

Watermelons and melons require a lot of sunlight. A lack of light can reduce photosynthetic activity and lead to lower sugar content.Therefore, in greenhouses, watermelons and melons turn out to be less sweet than in open soil. We grow watermelons and melons only in open soil, and they turn out exceptionally sweet.
Of course, in a rainy season, the fruits accumulate less sugar than in a dry and sunny one. But this can also be addressed by planting special varieties that are resistant to cold and slightly adjusting the agricultural practices.



Harvesting time. Harvesting watermelons too early or too late can affect their sweetness. Well-ripened watermelons and melons have a higher sugar content. Underripe watermelons and melons lose their flavor.
Grow watermelons easily and with joy! Wishing you good harvests!

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