Enough water seems to get through the X-shaped slits you make to plant the seedlings, and because the plastic hold moisture in, it also balances it that way (as if it’s a really thick moisture-retaining mulch). But you do need to have the open area — the X slits — by each plant. I haven’t had the other issue, which could be guarded against by the way the bed is mounded before the plastic is applied — to encourage runoff.

The’s plant’s too skinny? Did it reach for light (because it’s not in full sun) or is it in poor soil so it’s weak? Not sure I know what a sun melon is (a small Korean specialty like this, or a yellow watermelon, or ????).