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sevierville, Tn

weight,    days, ave per day, Days from polination
28    nm    nm        14
42.5    3.00    4.8        17
59.5    3.00    5.6        20
68.8    2.00    4.65        22
91.5    5.00    4.54        27
107.5    5.00    3.2        32
119    4.00    2.8        36
141    7.00    3.1        43
157    5.00    3.2        48
177    7.00    2.9        55
194    7.00    2.4        62
209    10.00    1.5        72
213    6.00    0.66        78
217.5    7.00    0.64        85
223    5.00    1.1        90

These are my numbers from last year on my 213.2 The weight is from the OTT chart for melons. The final was 10 lbs light compaired to the chart.
Anyone have growth rates they can post or send. That way i have something to compair against to know if i'm doing good !

3/13/2009 9:55:35 PM

sevierville, Tn

No one has anything they can post ?? Come on guys, i know you record measurements.
Email me if you can't post it. christopherkent@mindspring.com Thanks

3/18/2009 9:31:50 PM

formerly RGG

I did a lot of measurements on the melon I grew last year.I failed to write those down however.I was caught up in monitoring how fast the melon was growing but had no thoughts about that information being useful in future years.BTW, I have a couple of the seed you sent me up and growing.I take them out in the day if the weather is good and they stay under a 400 watt metal halide light at night.

3/19/2009 9:31:36 AM

Rochester, Minnesota

I know others (Dave) that constantly measure. I just don't have that kind of time. Besides, what is that going to tell me? Should I switch fertilizers depending on the rate? Should I lose heart if I am not getting a rate. Or should I anticipate an outcome?

My biggest concern is that I will lose footing and fall or step on a vine and hurt the thing I was trying to measure. I realize that you cann't change, what you can't measure, but I am not sure I can change enough during the season to matter.

Opinion?

3/19/2009 2:18:25 PM

sevierville, Tn

MMM, I hear what your saying & understand, but without some gage of how the plant/fruit is growing, how do i know if i can improve? Example, when i started pumpkins i would hit growth of 20-23 lbs a day for about a week. Was that good ? At the time i thought so. Well i have been getting better every year. Last year i averaged 30+lbs for 10 days & 25+ for 20 days. See my point ? So if xyz grower says he made 6 lbs over 10 days, then i know i still don't have things in my patch right. Now some may be because of things i can't fix (big trees on neibors property) but other areas i my be able to improve.

3/19/2009 2:41:27 PM

Alaska

It is helpful to keep track of growth,I think. It gives you a better idea of when to push and when to back off. There is a certain amount of lag time involved but if you keep good records and don't assume to much eventually you should see a pattern emerge. Some folks growem big and just don't care to fuss over the tape thing. Can work either way. IMHO.

3/21/2009 1:45:52 PM

Rochester, MN

Actually, I found it helpful once a week to see if the watermelon was still growing and if it was dropping why...I found my stumps were rotting (not much I could do) but knew then not to focus on those watermelons or eat them :-)...also helped me find damage to my vine to the watermelon and repair them with fungicide, etc...so the sooner I see degrade the better if I can fix it or stop the damage...

3/21/2009 5:23:07 PM