Watermelon Fruit Cultivation

Watermelon is the fruit of a herbaceous plant that grows vine which in English is called Water Mellon. Originally from tropical and dry regions of Africa ubtropis, then grew rapidly to many countries such as:
South Africa, China, Japan, and Indonesia. Watermelon is included in the family pumpkin-Labuan (Cucurbitaceae) in the origin area is very favored by the human / animal on the continent, because many contain water, so diffusion becomes faster.
PLANT SPECIES
There are dozens of varieties / types of watermelons are grown, but only some species are preferred by farmers or consumers. In Indonesia varieties suitable to be cultivated is divided into two groups: Local Watermelon (Watermelon black from Pasuruan, Watermelon and Watermelon Stone Sengkaling Bojonegoro) and Watermelon Hybrid Import (from cruciferous hybridization), which has its own advantages. Watermelon seeds are classified according to the pure country of origin:
Yamato seed, Sugar Suika, Cream Suika and others.
BENEFITS OF PLANTS
Watermelon plants grown for use as fresh fruit, but there are exploiting young watermelon leaves and fruit to vegetable material. Watermelon is cultivated for its seeds used, which has the aroma and taste fresh, the seed is processed into snack food called "kuwaci" (appreciated by the public as a snack). Leather is also made pickled watermelon / cucumber pickles such as fruit or other type of pumpkin-Labuan.
INVESTMENT CENTER
 Watermelon cultivated in many countries such as China, Japan, India and the countries surrounding states.  Sentra planting in Indonesia located in Central Java (Yogyakarta, Magelang District and County Kulonprogo); in West Java (Indramayu, Karawang); in East Java (Banyuwangi, Malang), and in Lampung, with an average production of 30 tons / ha / year.
GROWTH REQUIREMENTS
Iklim Climate
1. Theoretically rainfall are ideal for planting watermelon acreage is 40-50 mm / month.
2. Whole watermelon cropping areas need sunlight from sunrise to drown. Lack of sunlight causes degeneration at harvest.
3. Watermelon plants can grow and produce fruit with optimum    at a temperature of 25 degrees C (day).
4. The ideal air temperature bagipertumbuhan watermelon crop is average daily temperature ranging from 20-30 mm.
5. Humidity tends to be low when the sun illuminates the growing areas, dry air means that poor water vapor. Such conditions suitable for the watermelon plant growth, because in the homelands watermelon plants living in desert environments of dry air. Conversely, too high a humidity will encourage the growth of plant fungi.
Planting media
1.Soil conditions are suitable for the watermelon plant is a fairly loose soil, rich in organic matter, not the acid soil and garden soil / rice field that has been dried.
2. Soil acidity (pH) needed between 6 to 6.7. if pH <5.5 (soil acid) then was conducted with a dose of lime acidity level is adjusted with the land.
3. Land suitable for the watermelon crop is porous soil (the nest) so easily discard the excess water, but soil that is too easy to get rid of water is less good for planting watermelon.
Altitude Venue
The ideal altitude for watermelon growing areas are: 100-300 m asl. In fact watermelon can be grown in areas close to the beach which has an altitude below 100 m above sea level and on the hills with an altitude of more than 300 m above sea level.