Pacific Trellis Innovates Watermelon Growing
LOS ANGELES, CA - My grandpa once cut open a watermelon, handed me a spoon, and started scooping the fruit off of its rind and into his mouth. Naturally, I followed suit, but gave zero thought whatsoever to where that melon had hailed from. Years later, I’m just now realizing that watermelons are grown in the ground, unless it’s a watermelon from Pacific Trellis Fruit®, of course. The California-based company recently debuted its newest innovation: shade house-grown Dulcinea® Brand PureHeart® Seedless Watermelons that never make contact with soil. Pacific Trellis partnered with Agroexport de Sonora to test a new methodology that involves growing its Dulcinea Brand PureHeart Seedless Watermelons on vertical poles inside the new shade houses.
“By growing our PureHeart Seedless Watermelons vertically on poles in shade houses, we are able to protect them from certain elements, which results in higher yields and better quality,” said Josh Leichter, General Manager. “This growing methodology also has a positive impact on the environment since it requires less water and land to grow the watermelons vertically.”
According to the company’s news release, this new method for growing watermelons has multiple benefits. Growing the melons on poles allows for a 30 percent higher yield than traditionally-grown watermelons. Additionally, the shade house helps improve their appearance and quality by protecting the watermelons from the harsh effects of the sun, extreme wind, and insects. Growing them in shade houses also allows for an increase in year-round availability. During hot summers, the shade house helps to shield watermelons and increase their chances of becoming healthy melons. In the winter months, the shade house helps to trap warm air in, allowing the melons to continue thriving.
Shade house-grown Dulcinea Brand PureHeart Seedless Watermelons are currently in the market in limited quantities, so don’t hesitate to get your hands on some! For more innovative industry news, keep reading AndNowUKnow.
