From

Location

Message

Date Posted

Garner, NC

I've got a Carolina Cross that is around day 40-42 and is still looking good for my first time around. Overall length is 32" with a 44" girth but it seems not to be growing in height, it almost looks like it is getting a flat top and just bulging out of the sides. Is this a normal phase in the growth pattern or genetics. I have no idea of what the parent melon looked like so was wondering what ya'lls experience was with the "flattop" Thanks

9/8/2009 9:14:37 AM

Rochester, Minnesota

It's funny the different shapes you can encounter. My biggest is a flat top. I have another that looks like a brick with the Side to Side and End to End measurements almost equal.

9/8/2009 11:04:36 AM

sevierville, Tn

Most of my big ones end up as flattops. I had one normal large one. Now all my small ones are normal melon shape.
Therefore I am happy to see them go flat, as that means they will be big, at least in my patch ! LOL

9/8/2009 1:24:31 PM

formerly RGG

My biggest melon was starting to show signs of going flat on top. My vine just went down and so I am taking it to Nashville tomorrow morning to enter in the Tennessee State Fair. First prize is $600 & people come from several states to try to earn this prize. I think competition will be very keen this year. My last measurement was 226.3 pounds so perhaps I will be able to win something.

9/8/2009 8:21:42 PM

Garner, NC

Good Luck Tennesse Dreamer, let us know how you do. Later Todd

9/9/2009 9:14:11 AM

Rochester, Minnesota

Yes, if I had a 226.3 pounder, than perhaps I could win something also. But alas it's not to be this year. Fourth coldest summer on record just doesn't a watermelon make. I think I will be lucky to get seed back on a number of mine.

9/9/2009 10:15:37 AM

Bowdon, GA

Every year my best melon seems to be flat. The only problem is it seems that they always go lite by the chart. Seems that flat melons have voids to me. Every one I cut open has had voids. The voids maybe why they go flat. The side to side on my biggest one has not change in two weeks. It is getting bigger end to end and circ.

9/9/2009 9:54:10 PM

Rochester, Minnesota

I agree about the flat melons being flat since they are caving in on the center. I am just not terribly sure what to do about it. I think it's sign of the melon being past it's peak growing time.

9/10/2009 10:21:20 AM