Susie Viranyi, age 11, of Palatine, I11., for her question:
WHAT IS WATERMELON MADE OF?
Leading watermelon growing state in the United States is Florida where about 400,000 tons of the sweet fruit is sent to market each year. Next leading states, in order, are Texas, California, Georgia and South Carolina. There are many varieties available and they start at bantam sized melons that weigh five to 10 pounds and go to monsters weighing over 700 pounds.
Watermelon is a delicious, large green fruit that has a juicy pulp. The fruit is 93 percent water.
Watermelon is related to the pumpkin, muskmelon, squash and cucumber.
The outer shell or rind of the watermelon is hard while the inside pulp is very soft. The fruit grows on vines that may branch out 72 to 15 feet. The fruit averages about 20 to 35 pounds. Some are round while others are oblong or oval. Many are green on the outside but some are striped green or almost white. Most of the pulp is red but it can also be yellow.
Although it grows best in southern states, it can be grown as far north as Canada. Seeds should not be planted in the home garden until the heat of summer has arrived. The watermelons grow best in sandy, moist soil.
Watermelon vines usually have many blooms but only a few of the blossoms produce melons. It is recommended that the plants be spaced about eight feet apart.
Garden experts say that the best flavor of watermelon can be obtained if the fruit is kept on the vines until it is fully ripe. Fruit ripens usually in about 80 or 90 days.
The first watermelons were grown in Africa and spread to Asia in ancient times. They were planted in the Massachusetts Colony as early as 1629 and became very popular in North America. Indian tribes and settlers took them to the west coast in the 1700s.
Seeds are found inside the pulp of a watermelon, and they are either white, brown or black. A number of seedless varieties are also being produced in some farms.
Most varieties of watermelons are ripe when the rind gets very hard and the melon sounds hollow when it is tapped with the finger.
The skin is some recently developed midget varieties, turns golden yellow when the fruit is ripe.
Did you know that the watermelon is actually a member of the gourd family? Well, it is. All of the members of the family have a growing pattern that involves both trailing and climbing.
If watermelon seeds are planted too early after spring has started, it is possible that frost will kill the tender stems.