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Franklinton, Louisiana

Hello my name is melonking and I am new to this message board.I live in Louisiana and I grow or try to grow giant watermelons.I hope this wont turn any of you away ,because I share the same goal as you ,but just a different variety of the cucurbit family ( Carolina Cross Watermelon).I have previously held the title of growing the biggest melon in La. for 8 years in a row,with my best being 194#.The past 2years in a row I have been beaten badly,so in doing my research I purchased Giant Pumpkins III.I have read it over and over again.I am trying to apply some of the same principals of pumpkin growing to my watermelons.I was very interested in the increase in calcium that was talked about,bacteria,5 lobe segments,Ironite and etc.I am very competitive and dont like to get beat. PLEASE HELP ME!!!!!

9/16/2007 9:26:29 PM

Minnesota

Hi, welcome to big pumpkins. May I suggest you also try some of the other message names like "Other Gardening General Discussion" on the message board, there are other Watermelon growers here, you just have to find them.

9/16/2007 10:46:10 PM

[email protected]

Hello Melonking & welcome to BigPumpkins.

I suppose that you've already done ample soil testing? How's about in-season tissue testing to see if everything is flowing as expected?

Cucurbits are heavy feeders of Calcium & Potassium so these would be my first looks.

Have you experienced any mushy vines? Vascular disease incidence increases dramatically over time as soil borne pathogen counts increase year over year. Have you been able to practice crop rotation at all?

Pumpkinfolk are going to be plenty busy these next 3 weeks as we make the various weigh-offs & fairs. Then the fall manures, amendments & cover crops go in. By then seeds are dry & we start mailing them all over creation. By late November you'll get motre attention from a wider audience.

9/16/2007 11:37:42 PM

Farmerville, Louisiana

Melonking the name maybe the problem you sound kinda a little concited! Just kidding ! Have you contacted any of the growers in the Farmerville, area. That is where giant watermelons are really grown.TREY PATTON ,C.L. NYEGARD, AND RUSTY SISTRUNK are the people you need to talk to.TREY AND C.L. live here close by. I contacted MR.C.L. about a week ago and he gave me seeds out of the 238# melon he grew this year.

9/17/2007 5:11:04 PM

Franklinton, Louisiana

Hello bo 69 ,I dont know you ,but if you have been to Farmerville for the last 20 consectutive years you have seen me.This is where my name originated.Trey, Roy,Napa parts store guy and all the local guys gave me this name and I have visited Donnie Sistrunk and purchased a melon from him the year he had the 252#.I have numerous seed from Trey,Donnie ,and also Melonman Bob Dwyer whom I have also visited at his home when he was in Sikeston,Mo.So I have connections,Just got to get that edge back.

9/17/2007 10:41:11 PM