Remove the proximal leaves and bury the cutting deep - so just the distal leaves are above the soil line. You'll get a much healthier root system. I do tomatoes, peppers, cukes ...... like that, too.

Al

Al, thanks. Yeah, I knew about tomatoes and peppers, but wasn't sure about watermelons. I've got watermelons and muskmelons. The muskmelons have stayed short, but the watermelons germinated and immediately shot about 4" out of the ground. Must be how they grow, because I germinated about 6 different types and they all did the same thing. Thanks again.