Watermelons in China Exploding Due to Growth Chemicals
We've heard of numerous illnesses among plants and animals due to chemicals, pesticides and hormones, but have you ever heard of something exploding because of them?
That's exactly what's happening to the watermelon crops of farmers near Danyang in Eastern China. Approximately 20 farmers used the growth hormone forchlorfenuron, to speed up growth and obtain a greater overall yield.
Plans went haywire when they used too much of the hormone and the fruit began exploding. The watermelons are being dubbed 'land mines' by the local media as they begin bursting, often as soon as one day after the hormone application. Each of the farmers are first-time watermelon croppers hoping to break into the blooming field. Roughly 115 acres have been lost so far, which will hopefully cause them to rethink their methods about tampering with nature.
As unheard of as this is, it's not exactly surprising given the nation's history of the use of chemicals in goods of all types, both manmade and natural.
Forchlorfenuron is a legal hormone in China and the United States as well. In the United States, it is used on grapes and kiwi fruit. You may want to reconsider buying fruits that have been grown with forchlorfenuron as it has been implicated in cancers and neurological disorders. It is important to know which hormones, pesticides, fertilizers and chemicals are used legally in the United States, and which of those are considered to be dangerous.
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