I Turned My Balcony Into A Watermelon MAZE

I spent three years turning my balcony into a watermelon maze. But I didn’t stop at just watermelons. Unknowingly, I set the stage for my balcony to blossom into a whole web of melons in the melon family. And today, I’m excited to guide you on exactly how I did this, so you can grow your very own baby melon haven on your balcony, too.
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Some cool facts you’ll learn in this video about watermelons and the melon family:
1. Watermelons are believed to be one of the oldest known cultivated crops.
2. Watermelons are made of over 90% water.
3. Watermelons come in various shapes, sizes, varieties and colours, ranging from the traditional round or oval fruit that we all know to smaller, more compact varieties.
4. The heaviest watermelon on record weighed over 350 pounds, more than two of me! Under ideal conditions, some varieties of watermelons can grow up to 2 inches per day. That is 5 centimetres per day, so they can grow bigger than my head.
5. Most watermelons come seedless in the grocery store. The reason is because they are cultivated through a specialized breeding process and picked early, so seeds end up being underdeveloped. Consumers like seedless watermelons for the element of convenience.
6. You can’t grow watermelon seeds unless the seeds are dark in colour. The dark seeds are always viable for growing, but the translucent seeds are not.
7. Some gardeners practice companion planting by growing watermelons alongside other crops like corn or radishes to maximize space and discourage pests.
8. In order for watermelons to grow, pollinators like bees and butterflies come buzzing around in your garden. They poke their heads in the male flowers and bring pollen to the female flowers. That’s the only way watermelons will sprout. You can hand pollinate your flowers using a little brush.
9. To determine if a watermelon is ripe for harvest, you should look for signs like a dull rind, a creamy yellow spot on the underside (where it sat on the ground), and a hollow sound when thumped. I also heard that the sweeter watermelons have a smaller vine hole on the top side where it’s picked from the vine plant, but I haven’t been able to confirm this myself yet.
10. Cantaloupes and watermelons are two fruits that come from different families, which means they have different genetic characteristics, making it more complex for the cantaloupes to be bred as seedless, but easier for the watermelons. You can almost always germinate cantaloupe seeds straight from the fruit, whereas you can only grow watermelon seeds if they are darker in colour.
11. I learned that there is a fruit called muskmelon. Cantaloupes and muskmelons are often used interchangeably in some regions, leading to confusion, but they are not technically the same. Cantaloupes are a type of muskmelon, but they have a distinct flavour and appearance, and they vary in colour from beige to orange. Whereas muskmelons range from green, orange or white.
12. There is something that exists called a watermelon radish. It’s named for its appearance, which resembles a miniature watermelon. The outer skin of a watermelon radish is typically pale green or white, while the inside flesh is a vibrant pink or magenta, similar to the colours found in a watermelon. We grew them.
13. There are fruits that exist called watermelon guavas. They are basically the watermelon of guavas. They are pink and taste like a hybrid of a watermelon and a guava - there are just so many seeds that are hard to chew, but the flavour it self is outstanding.
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So…go grow your watermelons, cantaloupes, watermelon radishes, watermelon guavas, and literally any fruit you can get your hands on with ‘watermelon’ in its name…because nature will reward you and your modes of sustainability in just 12 weeks.
Creating our very own baby melon haven was a wild ride that I’m thankful I got to share with you.
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Thank you guys so much. Without you, none of this would be possible, so it means the world to me that you spent the time watching my video and it would equally mean as much to me if you like, comment, follow, subscribe and remember that on this channel we take the seeds from inside exotic fruits and grow them into full blown house plants that fruit.
Always remember that I LOVE YOU and… ill see you next week.
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TIMESTAMP:
00:00 - 01:33 Watermelon 1 - Viable vs. Unviable Seeds
01:33 - 03:43 Watermelon 2 - Stages of Seeds
03:43 - 05:54 Watermelon Seeds From The Package
05:54 - 09:50 Watermelon From Watermelon, In A Pot/Garden Box
09:50 - 11:53 Cantaloupe 1
11:53 - 12:18 Muskmelon
12:18 - 14:35 Watermelon Radish
14:35 - Homegrown Watermelon Guava
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[@diyakamath124]

Now I can grow my own watermelons without having to redo it over and over and get frustrated!👍😄 Thank you Jessie!🤗❤

[@growithjessie]

awwww that makes me so happy. thank YOU! keep me updated???

[@diyakamath124]

@@growithjessie alr! Will do

[@ab-mn2yq]

They are also without viable seeds to keep us dependent on the producer, to keep us buying their watermelon/products. If they decide to no longer sell us , we are in a bad situation. Thank you for teaching us how to select viable seeds and grow our own watermelon plants. It is a wonderful things to be more food secure.

[@OhPervyOne]

I learned something else about radish seed pods: They're tasty. They're basically a LOT like fresh pea pods, but with an added spicy radish flavor. Great addition to a salad.

[@growithjessie]

no wayyyyyyyyyyyy i need to try this

[@tammybrazeau1213]

Yes, they are...pick them young and enjoy, they are very sweet tasting without the sugar

[@narithasalik]

Hi jessie, i wanted to say thank you for your spectacular videos. i have been loving plants since i was four, and i want to be a botanist one day, and you inspire me so much thank you ❤🎉😂😊

[@spacehunter2018]

Omg just this morning I was watching ur avocado video and I was wondering when you'd upload next

[@growithjessie]

that makes me so happy you have no idea

[@spacehunter2018]

i've actually been growing my own watermelons when i stole my sisters watermelon seeds. and now they're like 16cm tall and already have 5 new leaves growing. This video helped me understand what to do and thank you so much!

[@lalareeves1941]

My mom accidentally grew one cute medium size pumpkin. She took our old pumpkins and dropped them into our garden. Somehow some of the seeds ended up in the ground and were growing and we didn't even know it. Until we started seeing a mysterious plant in our garden one day. It ended up being a pumpkin plant. It took almost a whole year I think, but the plant took over the entire garden! We ended up figuring out it was from the pumpkin, because we saw one little tiny pumpkin hidden inside all the leaves that took over the garden whenever my mom was cleaning out the garden. She ended up leaving all the plants everywhere expecting us to have tons of pumpkins. We didn't, we only had one pumpkin out of all that took over the garden. 😂 But needless to say we somehow we successfully grew our own ONE perfect sized pumpkin. ❤ 🎃👌

[@nicolesaintdenis]

Love the long form videos. I see your neaurimagical too ❤ hyperfixations

[@jjtonks5005]

Jessie, you are AWESOME 🤗

[@growithjessie]

thank you so much

[@desapparently]

For those who dont know: Watermelons are also bred this way so that farms can gain a competitive advantage by making it impossible to grow the same produce as theirs. It's a grummy marketing move that ultimately makes the fruit not taste as good and makes consumers reliable on grocery store fruits. Most "seedless" fruits you find are for this reason if I understand correctly.

[@tonycarusone7225]

I love watching your videos

[@tammybrazeau1213]

You amaze me, girl. You must try cucamelon. It's a cucumber that is shaped like a watermelon, and boy is really good. Keep on with the growing. Btw I just took 3 avocado plants out of one of my worm bins. Time to transplant them and as you told us b4 to cut it in half.

[@growithjessie]

thank you so much for your beautiful comment. I appreciate you. And btw that is so cool

[@kateymateymusic1]

You put an incredible amount of prep into these videos over a few years.....hats off to you. Now I'm gonna go buy me a watermelon with seeds and a cantaloupe....If australia is in for the hot spring and summer they predict I might be able to grow me some.

[@growithjessie]

thank you so much. I really appreciate your kind comment. it means the world to me. let me know how your growing journey on watermelons go!

[@MsCherokee70]

Another GREAT video... I will need to get myself some Watermelon radishes! LOOKS so yummy. Yes, this summer heat is still HOT down here. The heat index is 92* right now....and finally a Little bit of rain at my location. Keeping my garden alive, has been a big challenge this year. It has been so dry for 2½ months! I just started a small part my fall/winter graden... and still have lots of other summer veggie/foods still growing. Need to clean out my greenhouse and get things ready for winter time. We never give up either. 🤗 Much respect to you, for not giving up & for making us smile! Thank you 😊 #GROW !!!! From us here zone 7B, down in Virginia. ~Squirrel⚘~

[@growithjessie]

thank you so much. that means the world to me

[@tammybrazeau1213]

I woke up in Ottawa Ontario area this morning to snow on the ground 🙃

[@TSOrr]

I could send you so many seeds Jess. I save them from fruit I get and grow them.

[@A.A.A.X]

I love ur vids

[@growithjessie]

THANK YOU SO MUCH

[@A.A.A.X]

@growithjessie your welcome

[@Kat_plants_yaaaa]

❤❤❤ this was so entertaining lol 😅

[@sylphienne]

I’m struggling to germinate both my pumpkin and watermelon seeds from seed packets. I’ve waited weeks and all i got was mouldy seeds. 😭

[@growithjessie]

keep trying! maybe you need to place them in a sunnier spot and water the paper towel a bit less so it is only DAMP, not too wet

[@RI3N0]

🍉 yummy 👍

[@growithjessie]

you can say that again!

[@kris2455]

Next season I will try watermelon radish! It sounds like a lot of fun! 🙂

[@growithjessie]

yes! thank you so much for stopping by! keep me updated if you try itttt

[@A_Wee_spook]

What happened to the zucchinies was from the humidity. Also, you might not be able to crossbreed a watermelon to pumpkins, but you can crossbreed the other melons to the watermelon, and if the flowers of the different plants were out at the same time, the bees might have done it for you. Also, also, guavas are small trees/ bushes and take 3 to 6 years to fruit. 😊 And yes, I kept coming back to this comment the vidoe progressed.

[@growithjessie]

it was extra hot this summer so that totally makes sense

[@bekleedee]

Me who has watermelon in the fridge with dark seeds 😎 aww yes. And its summer. Its my time to grow my own watermelon. My daughter is gonna love this

[@growithjessie]

omg go grow them now!!! did your daughter end up liking it??

[@ScarlettAlkilani]

love yyour vids! im growing a moneyplant. any tips?

[@growithjessie]

thank you so much. money plants really like a lot of sun so make sure they get that and they will thrive! mine almost died because it was in too much of a shady spot, but i moved it and repotted it into a sunnier spot and it's thriving now

[@JadonSchintu]

i am currently germinating my dark watermelon seed with wet paper towel in my container

[@Technoxity]

Wow! Thanks for sharing, have you any success with store bought cantopes? I have them growing wire thin with very papery leaf folds.

[@growithjessie]

thank you for stopping by! yes i did this with store bought cantaloupe seeds

[@braveeagle5586]

If you love growing melons, you'll definitely love growing loofah!

[@growithjessie]

omg. i want to find those seeds so badly!

[@JadonSchintu]

plus, cantaloupes and muskmelons are the same melon

[@meo_helo7345]

try growing granadilla (c=variety of passion fruit/) i grew then at home in poland and they are just soooooo good

[@growithjessie]

i love granadilla!

[@trustfratedcarat9903]

My watermelons 🍉 are growing but im not sure if they will survive my overwhelmingness and excitement especially when i love watermelon 😋 i guess we wait 😂❤

[@trustfratedcarat9903]

Im put cantaloupe today too in the soil 😂❤

[@growithjessie]

that makes me so happy. it's all trial and ERROR. so keep it waiting and also keep me UPDATED!!!

[@growithjessie]

do itttttt and keep me updated!

[@littlejackal0207]

Damn I guess mu farmers just can’t be bothered… it’s so hard to find seedless watermelons in my supermarket

[@Namse21]

In tropical countries, like here in India… almost all seeds are black! Every watermelon you get will have almost all black seeds and some translucent ones here and there… unless you find seedless watermelons in some special store

[@growithjessie]

that is so insane, and so lucky. we breed a lot of seedless varieties here so it's actually really difficult to find a watermelon with the darker seeds

[@sabre5807]

only seedless?!?! not in texas (: we have them everywhere, unfortunately i have some pollen issues and watermelon has been messing with me so i dont eat it anymore :/

[@chillzen]

This was so satisfying! Just a casual 12 month wait in the middle - THE COMMITMENT

[@growithjessie]

THANK YOU

[@ldshadowladyfans937]

I love you sooooooo much♡♡♡

[@growithjessie]

I LOVE U MORE

[@elf-wizard]

the seedless watermelons in stores drive me crazy because they dont taste good either?? i have found tho usually international grocery stores usually have the seeded kinds, at least in my experience so its not impossible but much more difficult to get them with seeds normally

[@growithjessie]

i know!!!!!!! they literally are not sweet like the ones with the darker seeds

[@AnnoyedAstronaut]

Cucumbers are also melons

[@nolancampbell4451]

Your papayas make it? I have a sea of indoor papaya right now lol

[@growithjessie]

they are doing......ok......lmao

[@user-io5qw1fi9q]

Fun fact: you can eat water melon seeds (you still need to open it)

[@growithjessie]

i love that!! they wont grow in your tummy

[@miwwnaww]

the watermelons in iran all got those dark big black seeds 😅😅 you can’t find a seedless watermelon here

[@growithjessie]

love it!!!!!

[@i.love.wonwoo]

i have a watermelon guava tree in my backyard

[@growithjessie]

OMG. lucky.

[@CharlieFisterVen]

Kontrakt så god bananer

[@barbaracarrall3717]

Grow yellow, watermelon

[@growithjessie]

omg i don't know where to find those tho

[@ziggybender9125]

Sorry sister I gotta stop your video 2 mins and 33 seconds in to correct you based on my first time growing watermelons this year. I bought a seedless watermelon in June and it was delicious (triple crown I think was the variety), to my surprise it had 1 single mature dark seed. I planted it and started researching about growing watermelons, which led to me planting a sugar baby watermelon seed also to pollinate the sterile plant from the seedless watermelon. Sugar baby grew 3 watermelons so far, the plant from the seedless variety grows 6 at a time with 4 being harvested so far and every time one is harvested a new baby one will start growing to always have 6 growing at a time. To my surprise the fruits from the red fleshed seedless watermelon seed grew into yellow fleshed watermelons with lots of dark mature seeds, this lead to more research and I learned I had planted an F2 hybrid seed and played my hand at the genetic lottery and got lucky. Next year I'll be planting the F3 hybrid seeds I'm collecting out of these delicious yellow fleshed watermelons and trying my hand at the F3 generation genetic lottery. Happy growing but don't sleep on planting a mature seed found in a seedless watermelon if you like gambling on plants, I bought another watermelon of the same kind 2 weeks later and found another mature seed that I planted also and it only grew 1 tiny white and slightly yellow fleshed watermelon with a really soft rind (I'm still gonna plant the F3 seeds I took out of it to spin the wheel on the F3 genetic lottery and see what happens but the F2 generation was a dud).

[@growithjessie]

that is okay! thank you for your comment

[@barbaracarrall3717]

Dress grow a lot more watermelons

[@growithjessie]

hehehehe

[@markjust86]

Can I pay you to narrate my entiire life?

[@growithjessie]

i will do it for free hehehe

[@markjust86]

@@growithjessie when I saw that you had replied I walked right over to my phone, I sprinted in fact! 😂 Lol. It would be amazing if you did. I have learned a lot from your videos but the main reason I watch them is your amazing and unique narration. It's so bubbly and full of energy. I love it!! I have made about 20 videos to put on KZbin but I will never post them because I can't narrate them. I hate my voice on recordings and even more so when I am reading a script. I honestly think you are one of, if not the best at it that I have ever seen!

[@ChaosKiwi-xu7td]

Second

[@growithjessie]

THANKS FOR STOPPING BY

[@estherlow917]

if you accidentally breed a watermelon and a guava it would be pretty cool

[@gigglebott5]

Jumping from random accent to random accent is distracting and not funny. I love the idea of what you’re doing and the delivery but the accents are a lot to me.