The ‘Crimson Sweet’ is a popular, open-pollinated watermelon variety known for its dependable growth and consistently high sugar content. This classic melon is a favorite for home gardens because it reliably produces large, sweet fruit perfect for summer enjoyment. Successfully cultivating these melons to their full potential requires attention to specific environmental factors and understanding their typical growth pattern.
Standard Size and Weight Expectations
A mature Crimson Sweet watermelon typically weighs between 15 and 25 pounds under standard growing conditions. These melons develop a characteristic blocky, oval-to-round shape, often reaching dimensions of approximately 10 to 12 inches in diameter. While 25 pounds is a common upper limit, individual melons can sometimes exceed this weight. Under ideal conditions, a Crimson Sweet may grow to 30 pounds or slightly more, though this is not the average expectation. The fruit’s rind features distinct light green stripes alternating with darker green bands.
Optimizing Growth for Maximum Yield
Maximizing the size of a Crimson Sweet depends on providing consistent, ideal resources throughout the growing season. Watermelons require full sun exposure and thrive in well-draining, sandy loam soil rich in organic matter. An optimal soil pH range of 6.0 to 6.8 ensures the plant efficiently absorbs nutrients.
Consistent water delivery is important, especially once the fruit begins to expand, requiring about one to two inches per week. Drip irrigation is recommended to keep foliage dry and prevent fungal diseases. Nutrient management involves applying a balanced fertilizer, such as a 10-10-10 ratio, when the plant starts to flower. To direct energy into fewer, larger melons, growers often practice fruit thinning by removing smaller fruits. Adequate spacing is also necessary, as the vines can sprawl six to ten feet.
Recognizing Full Maturity
The Crimson Sweet variety typically requires approximately 85 days from seeding to reach full maturity and peak sweetness. Watermelons do not continue to ripen or increase in sugar content once harvested, making the timing of picking crucial for quality.
A reliable indicator of ripeness is the tendril closest to the fruit stem, which will shrivel, dry out, and turn brown when the melon is ready. Another visual cue is the field spot, the area where the melon rests on the ground, which changes from a pale white or light yellow to a deep, creamy yellow. The rind will also transition from a glossy, bright green to a duller surface finish as the fruit matures. Relying on the visual cues of the dry tendril and the deep yellow ground spot is a more accurate method than thumping the melon.
Distinctive Flavor and Texture
The Crimson Sweet is popular due to its excellent internal characteristics. The flesh is a deep, brilliant crimson red, which is visually appealing and indicative of high lycopene content. This fine-grained flesh possesses a firm, crisp texture that holds up well when sliced.
The melon is known for its remarkable sweetness, which is consistently high for a seeded variety. The sugar content often measures in the range of 12 to 14 on the Brix scale, which is a measure of dissolved solids. Compared to other seeded watermelons, the Crimson Sweet contains relatively few, small, dark seeds. The variety is also known for having good keeping qualities after harvest.