February 25, 2025
Seedless watermelons are a growing trend but how do they actually grow without seeds?
What distinguishes seedless watermelons from regular watermelons is that this type of plant has three sets of chromosomes. This modification occurred naturally during the crossing of the two-chromosome and four-chromosome species.
Traditionally, watermelons are monoecious, meaning that the male and female reproductive systems are located on the same plant . However, the lack of seeds in seedless watermelons makes the plant behave as if it were dioecious. Since these species do not produce pollen, they require a pollinator. Either seeded watermelons and a specialized product, Syngenta’s SP 7 Pollinator for example, can be used as such.
Growers’ profitability is determined by the demand of consumer preference. With growing demand for seedless watermelons, it’s important to work with a partner like Syngenta Vegetable Seeds that is investing in this crop type.
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From the Experts: How to Sow Seedless Watermelon
According to Pencho Paunov, Syngenta Vegetable Seeds Sales Manager in Bulgaria, for every 3 rows of seedless watermelons, plant 1 row with a pollinator. Another possible option is to plant 1 pollinator plant every 3 seedless watermelon plants in the row.
The SP7 pollinator blooms 7 to 10 days earlier and should therefore be sown 7 days after the seedless watermelons. For a more complete and long-lasting supply of fertile pollen and consequently higher yields, it is recommended to sow and transplant the pollinator in 2 stages:
• 2/3 of the pollinator is sown 7 days after the seedless watermelons
• 1/3 of the pollinator 20 days after the first part.
Another way to potentially improve your harvest is by using bees for pollination, which can increase yields by about 30%.
At the end of the day, consumers decide what type of watermelon should be produced. If they don’t buy it from the grocery store, that retailer doesn’t buy it from the grower. Keeping a keen eye on consumption demand helps Syngenta keep grower partners on the leading edge of consumer trends.
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