Germination Percentage

Germination has long been a topic for Triploids since there are no federal minimum requirement on germination for Triploid watermelons. However, the seedless industry has tried to set the standards at 80%. Without federal requirement germination percent varies greatly year to year. Always remember that Triploid Watermelons are made by Man and not by the hand of God.

Every year lots have been from the low side of 75% to the high side of 95%. It is hard to say what the average germination percent of Triploids really are, since it is nearly impossible to track all Triploid lots from each company that produces seedless watermelons.

The following is list of bacteria & viruses which our private pathologist and the State of California (under the direction of the USDA in order to obtain a federal phytosanitary certificate) inspect our watermelon production fields for. Even our foreign production is inspected by our pathologist and by California Crop Improvement Association.

Bacteria
Acidovorax avenae subsp. Citrulli - bacterial fruit blotch watermelon.
Pseudomonas syringae pv. Laachrymans - angular leaf spot
Xanthomonas cucurbitae - bacterial leaf spot
Collectofrichum lagenarium (C. Obiculare) - anthracnose
Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. Niveum - fusarium wilt of watermelon
Mycosphaerella melonis (M. Citrullina, Didymella bryoniae, D. melonis) - gummy stem blight
Physalospora rhoding - stem end rot of watermelon
Any and all other significant bacteria present.

Viruses
Cucumber Mosaic virus
Cucumber Green Mottle virus
Squash Mosaic virus
Watermelon Mosaic virus
Prunus Necrotic Ringspot virus
Any and all other significant viruses present.

Two inspections are required. One at bloom/early fruit and the second at mature fruit.