From

Location

Message

Date Posted

formerly RGG

If one takes a proven seed such as the 157 Bright or the 239 Leonard and self pollinates how much like the original seed will the parent be? I believe there must be some difference or growers would have already taken to doing this to preserve a good seed line. I have some 157 Bright offspring coming.This melon was open pollinated and so chances are pretty good it is self pollinated. Would anyone recommend growing this seed? And would you recommend self pollination of the 239 Leonard I will be trying to grow? I know we are trying to advance the hobby be doing new crosses that will hopefully improve genetics. But sometimes we need to stop and preserve certain genetics that have stood out. Then these will provide us with a base from which to draw if we need to. Imagine yourself in possession of hundreds of 157 Bright & 239 Leonard seeds.And then even if the genetics of the offspring are not identical to the original I think you are still probably looking at new seeds with very good to possibly most excellent genetics and a lot of potential. So what do you think?

3/2/2011 8:35:32 AM

Grimsley,TN

Dennis I did a genetic cross and selfed a 239 last year and got 985 seeds. I harvested it when it was about a 100 pounds. All of the seeds looked to very sound so we'll see how they germ. I am looking forward to seeing what happens. I will also use it as a pollinator for a couple plants. Take care.

3/2/2011 10:19:30 AM

Muddy Waters

Selfing can be good,but not sure I would do it 2 years in a row,I will cross the 239 Leonard with the 157 bright this year & also with the 239 Zurner.

3/2/2011 12:41:49 PM

sevierville, Tn

Selfing usually trys to maintain current traits. With crossing , your looking at bring in something new. The problem with either, unless you know what the traits are(proven seeds) its hard to know what to do.
Self or cross, and cross what ?? Hindsight is always 20/20

I wish i had selfed the 291, but i didn't know it was going to to 291.
I may self the 239 this year in hopes that it grows the 1st 300 lb melon.

Who knows, i'm just thinking out loud...maybe i'll self them all !! LOL

3/2/2011 2:19:18 PM

sevierville, Tn

Come on Texas, grow em big so i know what they look like before i have to pollinate !

3/2/2011 2:20:55 PM

Hamilton Nj

is anyone selfing the 291 kent??? this year pizza

3/2/2011 2:38:36 PM

Fenton, MI

You can self one year and cary the genetic on. If you self that seed you can get BIG TIME BAD. So self once then cross with proven seed to improve. But this is the catch would the new seed be better with other proven genetic in it. I think so!!! ( it is with cows, dogs and even US )

3/2/2011 3:25:03 PM

sevierville, Tn

Thats the hard part. Trying to decide what to put into a seed to give you a good cross if the seed is unknown(1st year out)
What would you put into the 291 to make it better ??? We don't know what the 291 will produce. So we don't know before hand what it needs.
I'm open to suggestions ??????

3/2/2011 4:33:55 PM

Muddy Waters

I wouldnt self the 291 I will use the 157 as the male 1 more time. 291x157= 312pds

3/2/2011 5:26:51 PM

Watervalley Ms

I would try the seed that grew the Edwards( 285#)i belive that is 157 Bright x 168 Johnson cross with 291 Kent

3/2/2011 6:27:12 PM

Muddy Waters

Thats what im talking bout melonman 157 bright amen

3/2/2011 8:02:11 PM

Trinity River Bottom

Well all i can tell you is that 1 of the 291's will be selfed. and they are already up and running....sure wish i had a 157 but i wouldn't put it on the 291 .. MARK,,, lol

3/2/2011 8:41:50 PM

Trinity River Bottom

We are not going to know because i'm growing a couple genetic melons before i go for big ... probably going to grow the genetic crosses this same year 291x285 .....

3/2/2011 8:45:09 PM

Muddy Waters

the 285 is half 157 Mr.Webb,Why wouldnt you? Im thinking the 157 will be the stud for about 3/4 of my patch.It seems to be the main stud muffin right now!!!lol

3/2/2011 9:19:58 PM

Southeast Texas

cris im crossing the 197 leonard the grandmother to the 291 to the 291. and 239 x 291...gonna sibb both 178 mudds.

3/2/2011 9:27:14 PM

Muddy Waters

Dont Do it Dammit!!

3/2/2011 9:38:14 PM

Southeast Texas

better than self...dammit

3/2/2011 10:44:10 PM

Fenton, MI

Chris: I think i would cross your 291 with the 217 Pleasant. (if i had one) so i am looking at the 239 Zuerner or the 267 Pleasant. But the 285 Edwards would be good. Take each of the 4 seeds back as far as you can go and that should tell you what to do.

3/2/2011 11:41:00 PM

Bowdon, GA

Is selfing truly a genetic copy, especially if the mother is open pollinated? Could be two daddies. Full brothers don't always look alike, but maybe more similar than someone from another family I guess?

3/3/2011 10:43:18 PM

formerly RGG

Could be 100 daddies in an open pollination Jake. Even in a controlled pollination Jake, there will be genetic diversity. There is just not as much.I don't think any two seeds are "exactly" the same although I do think they are closer to being the same in the plant world than in the animal world.

3/4/2011 7:50:25 AM