How Are Square Watermelons Grown and Shaped Naturally?
How Are Square Watermelons Grown?
Square watermelons are grown by placing them in glass boxes to encourage their cubed shape.
Growers remove the fruit from the container once it reaches about 3 square inches.
To grow a square watermelon, square molds or containers can be used, or a mold can be created using concrete blocks, wooden molds, or boxes.
The watermelon seeds should be planted outdoors two to three weeks after the last frost, about an inch deep in well-draining soil.
Watermelons need plenty of sun and water.
When the small watermelon starts developing on the vine, it is placed into the square form or container.
Over their long growing season, watermelons will eventually take on the shape of the square form.
Once mature, the form is removed or the fruit is carefully lifted from the container.
Square watermelons can be expensive, costing about $82 USD.
Key Points:
- Square watermelons are grown in glass boxes to encourage their cubed shape.
- The fruit is removed from the container once it reaches about 3 square inches.
- Square molds or containers, as well as concrete blocks, wooden molds, or boxes, can be used to create a mold for growing square watermelons.
- Watermelon seeds should be planted outdoors about two to three weeks after the last frost, one inch deep in well-draining soil.
- Watermelons need ample sun and water.
- When a small watermelon starts developing on the vine, it is placed into the square form or container. Then, over time, it takes on the shape of the square form.
Did You Know?
1. Did you know that square watermelons are not grown naturally? They are actually grown in a special mold to achieve their unique shape.
2. To grow a square watermelon, farmers in Japan carefully place the small fruit into a transparent, square mold. As the watermelon grows, it takes on the shape of the mold, resulting in its distinctive square appearance.
3. The invention of square watermelons was intended to optimize storage space in crowded Japanese refrigerators, as their flat sides allowed for easy stacking.
4. Square watermelons are considered a luxury item in Japan and are commonly used as decorative or novelty items, rather than being consumed.
5. Despite their popularity in Japan, square watermelons are not commercially grown on a large scale due to their labor-intensive cultivation process and higher cost compared to traditional round watermelons.
Growing Square Watermelons In Glass Boxes
The concept of growing square watermelons originated in Japan as a solution to the inconvenience posed by round watermelons, which proved challenging to store. Square watermelons are cultivated in glass boxes, which encourage the fruits to adopt a distinctive cubed shape. These glass boxes play a crucial role in shaping the watermelons, as they restrict the natural growth pattern of the fruit. By providing a confined space for the watermelon to develop, the glass boxes effectively guide the fruit towards achieving its characteristic square form.
The process begins by carefully placing watermelon seeds in the glass boxes. These boxes are designed to optimize space, allowing multiple watermelons to grow simultaneously. The seeds are planted in well-draining soil, approximately one inch deep. Regular watering and ample exposure to sunlight are required for the seeds to thrive. These conditions are essential for optimal growth and to ensure that the watermelons mature evenly within their predetermined shape.
- The concept of growing square watermelons originated in Japan.
- Square watermelons are cultivated in glass boxes.
- Glass boxes restrict the natural growth pattern of the fruit.
- The seeds are carefully placed in the glass boxes.
- The boxes allow multiple watermelons to grow simultaneously.
- Regular watering and sunlight are necessary for optimal growth.
Removing The Fruit At The Right Size
As the watermelons continue to grow within the glass boxes, the growers closely monitor their development. When the fruit reaches a size of approximately 3 square inches (19 sq. cm.), it is time to remove them from the container.
At this point, the watermelons have acquired their distinctive square shape while being nurtured within the confinements of the glass boxes. By carefully removing the fruit at the appropriate size, growers ensure that the watermelons retain their desired shape, allowing them to be easily stored and transported.
- The growers closely monitor the development of watermelons within the glass boxes.
- Fruit is removed when it reaches a size of around 3 square inches (19 sq. cm.) to maintain their desired shape.
- Watermelons acquire their distinctive square shape while growing in the glass boxes.
“By carefully removing the fruit at the appropriate size, growers ensure that the watermelons retain their desired shape, allowing them to be easily stored and transported.”
The Cost Of Square Watermelons
The uniqueness of square watermelons comes at a price. Due to the labor-intensive nature of their cultivation, square watermelons tend to be more expensive than their round counterparts. On average, these specialty fruits can cost around $82 USD. This price reflects the effort and attention to detail required throughout the growing process, from sowing the seeds to maintaining the glass boxes and ensuring the watermelons reach their desired shape. However, despite their higher cost, square watermelons have become sought-after items, particularly in certain markets where their distinctive appearance is highly valued.
Methods For Growing Square Watermelons
Growing square watermelons can be accomplished using various methods. One common technique involves utilizing square molds or containers specifically designed for shaping the fruit. These molds allow the watermelon to grow into a cubed form while adhering to the specifications of the container. Alternatively, growers can create their own molds using materials such as concrete blocks, wooden molds, or boxes. These DIY molds replicate the shape and dimensions required for shaping the fruit. Regardless of the method chosen, the key is to ensure that the watermelon is placed into the mold or container while it is still developing on the vine to allow it to take on the desired square shape.
- Square molds or containers can be used to shape watermelons.
- DIY molds can be created using materials like concrete blocks, wooden molds, or boxes.
- Watermelons should be placed into the mold or container while still developing on the vine to achieve the desired square shape.
“The key is to ensure that the watermelon is placed into the mold or container while it is still developing on the vine to allow it to take on the desired square shape.”
Harvesting Square Watermelons From Molds Or Containers
To harvest a fully grown square watermelon, the form or container in which it matured must be carefully removed. This can be achieved by either removing the mold or gently lifting the fruit from the container. It is crucial to exercise caution during this process to prevent any damage to the watermelon’s shape. Once the form or container is successfully removed, the watermelon is ready to be enjoyed or distributed to retailers.
In conclusion, growing square watermelons is an innovative method that originated in Japan to address the challenges posed by storing round watermelons. By utilizing glass boxes, these fruits are guided towards adopting a unique square shape. Cultivating square watermelons requires careful monitoring and attention, as well as specific methods and molds to achieve the desired outcome. Although they may come at a higher cost, square watermelons have gained popularity for their distinctive appearance and practicality, making them a sought-after item in certain markets.
-*Square watermelons are grown by removing the container or mold in which they matured.
-*Care must be taken during the removal process to preserve the watermelon’s shape.
-*After the container or mold is removed, the watermelon is ready for consumption or distribution.
-*Growing square watermelons originated in Japan as a solution for storing round watermelons.
-*Glass boxes are used to guide the fruits into adopting the square shape.
-*Cultivating square watermelons requires careful monitoring, specific methods, and molds.
-*Square watermelons have become popular due to their unique appearance and practicality.
-*They are considered a sought-after item in certain markets.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Why are square watermelons so expensive?
The high cost of square watermelons can be attributed to the difficulty involved in their production. As cube melons are harvested prematurely to maintain their distinctive shape, they become unsuitable for consumption. Consequently, the process of growing and shaping these watermelons incurs significant expenses, including labor, resources, and wasted produce. This combination of factors ultimately leads to the inflated prices attached to square watermelons.
What is the advantage of a square watermelon?
The advantage of a square watermelon lies in its practicality. Firstly, its shape allows for efficient stacking, enabling easier transportation and shipping. This not only reduces space needed during transit but also minimizes the risk of damage to the fruit. Secondly, the ingenuity of the square watermelon lies in its optimization for small Japanese refrigerators. With space constraints in crowded areas, the square shape allows the watermelon to fit snugly and neatly, maximizing the available storage space without compromising on the fruit’s freshness.
How do watermelons grow?
Watermelons grow by taking advantage of optimal conditions. These plants require ample sunlight, space, and water to thrive. As they grow, they develop long vines with distinctive spiral tendrils and large, lobed leaves. In their full-sized varieties, these vines can stretch up to an impressive length of six feet, allowing the watermelon fruits to spread and mature. For those with limited space, there are also compact varieties and bush-type watermelons specially bred to accommodate smaller gardens or containers.
What is the richest watermelon in the world?
The Kanazawa Densuke watermelon holds the crown for being the richest watermelon in the world. Grown exclusively in Hokkaido, Japan, these rare black watermelons are renowned for their extraordinary sweetness and unparalleled taste. With only a limited number of Densuke watermelons produced each year, they have become a coveted luxury item, fetching exorbitant prices at auctions and earning their reputation as the epitome of opulence in the world of fruit.