Why is Watermelon a Creeper?
Watermelons create a cool, refreshing summertime treat. This warm-weather crop requires a longer growing season and warmer temperatures than other sorts of melons. Watermelons, such as other types of cucurbits, have a sprawling growth habit and stretch across the ground. The watermelon vine’s sprawling growth habit make it a creeper, but you can provide support for watermelons and develop them vertically to save space.
About Creepers
Creeping plants are vines that ship runners out along the ground and require plenty of room to develop. Creeping plants possess weak stems and cannot develop vertically or climb without support. These plants develop fiberlike roots at the spots or nodules where leaves develop. These stems are known as prostrate stems, but they can climb if supplied with sturdy support system.
Growing Watermelons Vertically
Although watermelon plants are uncontested, they cannot climb without a powerful support. Watermelons become heavy, which may topple the ordinary trellis, therefore training and supporting watermelons to grow vertically instead of horizontally could be a chore. Watermelons grasp support systems using tendrils, so they require one to help train them so they develop in the ideal direction. You can make the support system from any type of solid material, like livestock panes held in place by steel posts driven firmly into the ground. The melons themselves also require support. You can use old pieces of fabric or pantyhose to make encouraging slings for your watermelons.
Growing Watermelons Horizontally
If you have the space, then allow the watermelon vines to crawl along the ground, but you need to provide some help to keep the melons from the ground. You can put a piece of board under every melon to keep it from the ground, which keeps it clean and dry.
Other Factors
Spacing is essential for watermelon development, because good air circulation and proper watering help reduce the danger of disease. When watermelons are grown on a trellis, they are off the ground where air circulation is good. A trellis also helps to keep the leaves and vines dry, since you can better avoid overhead watering. When vines sprawl or creep, it’s more challenging to keep the plants dry when watering, as they are continuous contact with moist soil.