Sugar Baby watermelon is a juicy little heirloom variety of Citrullus paragonum in the Cucurbitaceae or cuckoo family. Their compact, juicy size often classifies them as an ice-box watermelon because of their convenient, jam-packed fit. As a result, they can be dehydrated and stored for long periods of time without worry of them deteriorating. They’re also drought tolerant variety, which, depending on the amount and types of water source, can develop more concentrated flavors after being under-watered
A striking feature of the sugar baby watermelon is its unique ability to grow two to three times its own size after maturation. This, experts say, helps the plant to adapt quickly to changing environments and can help it resist pests and diseases as it matures. They’re resistant to bugs and diseases and can withstand various amounts of moisture – up to nine hours – without developing rot. The sugar cultivar has been proven to be a more effective and efficient source of citrullus than the Germination Ready Baby or Super Sterol varieties.
Because of their resistance to mildew and insects, the plant has been successfully cultivated in traditional green-up garden beds and containers grown from concentrate hays. However, because it’s so well known for its amazing sweet taste, many people now grow them in containers and in raised bedding. With this adaptation, the plants can still be harvested easily, but with less sugar left in the fruit at the end of the growing season. To encourage production, it’s important to apply mulch to sugars in late summer or fall, allowing for a longer storage season. Sugar Baby supplies large quantities of liquid fertilizers and soil additives, so there’s no need to worry about planting time.
While it’s important to plant sugar baby watermelons in rich soil, it’s equally important to keep that soil at an ideal temperature. Since most varieties do fairly well in low-acid soil, it’s not necessary to add a lot of additional acidic fertilizer to make up for a lack of nutrients. Just thin out the dirt slightly and add a light layer of organic (inorganic) fertilizer and good soil.
To ensure that your sugar baby watermelon grows to its maximum potential, it’s important to prune the vines frequently. It’s recommended to remove the fruit bearing part (the ones that produce sweet juice) every two weeks. Remove leaves and fruits that appear unhealthy. Watermelons usually bloom during late summer, so it’s important that you don’t miss the first bloom!
When you’re ready to plant your sugar baby watermelon trees, be sure that you have the best possible soil conditions. You can purchase special starter plants at your local nursery, but if you’re just starting out, you might want to consider a tomato tree. Tomato plants grow quite well, even in low-light environments. They’re also very easy to care for and provide a wide array of fruits, including tomatoes, peppers and cucumbers. With a little bit of know-how, you’ll have your garden up in no time.