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[seedsavers] Sedless watermelons



Here's a partial answer.
I'll ask a couple gurus on a cucurbit list I own to double check it.

Go to the url also as there are varieties named and
suggested for use in the process.
BillSF9c

Seedless watermelons are self-sterile hybrids that develop 
normal-looking fruits but no fully developed seeds. The seeds for 
growing them are produced by crossing a normal diploid watermelon with 
one that has been changed genetically into the tetraploid state. The 
seeds from this cross produce plants that, when pollinated by normal 
plants, produce seedless melons.

In seedless watermelons (genetic triploids), rudimentary seed 
structures form but remain small, soft, white, tasteless and 
undeveloped tiny seedcoats that are eaten virtually undetected along 
with the flesh of the melon. Seed production for these seedless types 
is an extremely labor intensive process that makes the seeds relatively 
expensive. Because germination of these types is often less vigorous 
than normal types, it is recommended that they be started in peat pots 
or other transplantable containers, where the germinating conditions 
can be closely controlled Once transplanted, cultivation is similar to 
that for regular watermelons.

For pollination necessary to set fruit, normal seed types must be 
interplanted with seedless melons. The pollinator should be distinct 
 from the seedless cultivar in color, shape or type so that the seedless 
and seeded melons in the patch can be separated at harvest. Because 
seedless types do not put energy into seed production, the flesh is 
often sweeter than normal types and the vines are noticeably more 
vigorous as the season progresses.

from
http://www.urbanext.uiuc.edu/veggies/watermelon1.html
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