by Lisa Dunlop

Created on: April 27, 2008   Last Updated: October 30, 2010

Last spring I attempted to grow a watermelon plant. I had really taken a liking to gardening, and I wanted to grow something a bit more rewarding: something I could eat. I am not a huge watermelon fan, but I remembered my roommate telling me that they were easy plants to grow, so I decided it would be a good fruit to start with. Although the initial process of growing a watermelon was intriguing and fun, it turned out to be an incredibly disappointing experience.

To begin my endeavor, I went to a plant nursery to get all of the necessary supplies. The picture on my packet of seeds was of large, plump watermelons, and it was exciting to imagine those beauties growing in my own garden. I spent all day preparing a good home for my new plant, making sure the soil was perfect. I followed the gardening instructions on the back of the packet, and pressed my little seeds gently into the earth. I was told my plant would germinate in three to five days.

Seven days later, two baby sprouts pushed their way up through the soil and into the light of the sun. They were gorgeous, and it was a proud and happy discovery, but it was short lived. My watermelon plant grew slowly, and its health depleted rapidly. I tried giving it vitamins and plant food, but each day it got worse. The majority of its leaves fell off, and it became a dull, grayish shade of green.

My brave, struggling little plant did, however, manage to produce one meager, sickly fruit. It grew to about the size of a softball, and inherited the grayish green color of its vine. It looked nothing like the watermelons on the packet, but I cut the bulbous, pathetic crop free and ate it. To my surprise, it was delicious, and I devoured it gratefully; I realized it would probably be the first and last of its kind.

Eventually my watermelon plant turned yellow and wilted away, just like my passion for gardening. I was forced to rip the plant from the earth, and throw the dried, twiggy remains in the garbage. I have managed to keep a fern and cactus alive, but I won't be ready to grow a fruit plant for a long while; it is too disheartening if they don't survive.

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