Habitat

     The watermelon originates from the Kalahari Desert in Africa, but can be found in numerous areas around the world including all tropical, subtropical, and warm temperate areas. It is produced in 101 countries today, and makes up 6.8% of the world'sUsed with permission from Forest and Kim Starr, URL:http://www.hear.org/starr/images/image/?q=091108-9404&o=plants area dedicated to vegetable productions. Natural environments include grasslands, bush lands, and along watercourses, all at altitudes of 50-1500 m. However, it can be cultivated in any climate containing a warm summer, and is capable of growing in temperatures between 22 and 280 degrees Celsius. Growing conditions are best in low to medium rainfall areas, with a requirement of 400-600 mm of rain per cropping season. However, too much rainfall can lead to leaf diseases and affect flowering.
    Even though, it isn’t extremely picky, the wild watermelon favors sandy loam and thin soils that are slightly acidic and well drained. It also prefers alkaline soil. The ideal pH is between 6.0 and 6.5, but can grow in soils with a pH of 5.5 as a minimum. If the pH is lower than 5.5, soils are often associated with manganese toxicity which leads to poor growing effects. Watermelons do not survive frost or cold soils. It needs at least 6 hours of sun a day which is why they grow in warmer seasons. The watermelon takes up a lot of space with their long winding vines, however they do well when sharing space with pumpkins and cucumbers as they occupy a different niche.

Piece of watermelon, photo taken by Johanna FischerWatermelon, permission by Forest and Kim Starr http://www.hear.org/starr/images/species/?q=citrullus+lanatus&o=plantsWatermelon, permission by Forest and Kim Starr http://www.hear.org/starr/images/species/?q=citrullus+lanatus&o=plantsWatermelon, photo was used with permission with some rights reserved, URL: http://www.flickr.com/photos/hulagway/5725111956/Watermelon, used with permission with some rights reserved, URL:http://www.flickr.com/photos/hulagway/5725112482/in/photostream/

Geography

       The distribution of the Citrullus lanatus (the yellow dots) around the world is phenomenal. As you can see below, it is located in almost any area that has a warm season. The primary reason it is not located in some areas that have some warmth, is because those areas don't have the sufficient soil required for its growth. It's evident that it is not located in the very cold regions as it has not acquired any adaptations to cold temperatures.

Used with permission on 4/10/12, URL:http://www.discoverlife.org/

Watermelons in Wisconsin!

Wisconsin, photo used with permission, URL:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/WisconsinBeing a state with a hot summer, Wisconsin has been a location that the Citrullus lanatus has been able to adapt to. The most effective growing season begins in June and ends in August, as those are the months with consistent temperatures between 70 and 90 degrees Fahrenheit. Watermelon is grown throughout the state in gardens controlled by humans and in its natural environment. The most popular breeds of watermelon seen in Wisconsin are the Golden Crow, Honey Heart (seedless), Jack-of-Hearts (seedless), King-of-Hearts (seedless), Paradise, Royal Jubilee, Sugar Baby, Sweet Favorite, Yellow Baby, and Yellow Doll. Another popular organism in Wisconsin is The Castor Bean.

 Although the watermelon has not adapted to extremely cold temperature, learn about ways they have adapted on the adaptation page.

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