From

Location

Message

Date Posted

Okla

What is the pH of the soils that usually grow the bigger ones? What are some of the other levels of what your soil was? Kent do you have any soil stats for your big one? Anyone else have any stats for the big ones they grew?
I know they like a lower pH than pumpkins, around 6.5 if I remember right.

3/6/2011 5:41:18 PM

sevierville, Tn

i did 7 ph. did not do a real soil test, just the lowes special. Guess i probally should to see where i need to improve.

3/6/2011 7:45:05 PM

Muddy Waters

lol

3/6/2011 7:46:31 PM

formerly RGG

Mark I just checked out your growers diary.I love your sense of humor; especially the Superman picture. What is your current PB CC by the way?

3/6/2011 8:27:16 PM

Muddy Waters

Thanks 191-lbs. 2010 Ive always gave Kin most attention,Not this year!

3/6/2011 9:16:20 PM

sevierville, Tn

I was being serious, i have been thinking about doing a real test.

3/6/2011 10:10:49 PM

Lexington,IN

I've yet to do a real test either. I have a home kit that only has low, med. and high results. I do have a sample pulled from the patch before all the rain moved in, now if I can just get it sent off...What lab is recommended?

3/6/2011 10:36:23 PM

Muddy Waters

Im laughing Chris because you didnt even do a soil test & you grow a World Record.Its like the Kid who throws his line in the water & yanks out a 7 lb Bass,While his expert father watchs! lol

3/6/2011 10:42:22 PM

Watervalley Ms

My melon ground was about 6.3 ph. The overall best year was my second i had 4 melons about 200# NO soil test & no ph test it was a good year.

3/6/2011 11:06:34 PM

Muddy Waters

keeping diaries is the way to go you can chart rainfall,growth,pollination,Buy a garden Journal at a Bookstore,I have my kids write down measurements,Now the grand kids will,These kids will have high expectations on kins & melons when they grow up!Any lab is good,I see alot going to A&L I use MSU in Lansing!Chris please keep growing in the dark that will be our handicap.lol

3/7/2011 6:21:30 AM

Watervalley Ms

I think his handicap is working for him, let him get a soil test they will mess him up. lol

3/7/2011 7:15:01 AM

Sevierville,tn

LOL...that is why he don't!!! fyi....superman is cheap!!!!

3/7/2011 7:27:09 AM

Watervalley Ms

Me to, just not with the watermelons.

3/7/2011 7:54:21 AM

Bethlehem CT

I have been wondering about pH a bit myself, I can remember Reading somewhere that Bill Edward's pH was 5.8. when he grew the 267. That is pretty significantly different than someone with a pH of 7. The pH scale is exponential so someone with a pH of 5.8 has a soil that is 10 times as acidic as one at 6.8.( Like a richter scale for earthquakes)
I think people are doing so much with foliar and drip feeding that it is almost like spoon feeding the watermelon whatever it is needing, kind of side stepping the issue of nutrient soil availability. If melon growers really want to bring it to the next level, I think tissue testing to determine what nutrients are lacking will help. I know many top giant pumpkin growers that are tissue testing throughout the season and adjusting there foliar spraying accordingly. Personally I draw the line way before that point and prefer to go with my gut. But I offer it up as a suggestion to those who may be more zealous than myself.

3/7/2011 8:22:38 AM

6.8

3/7/2011 8:36:52 AM

Arden, NC

Mine was 6.0 at the start of the season in 2010. Had pretty good luck with not a lot of attention.

3/7/2011 10:49:08 AM

sevierville, Tn

maybe they are not as ph sensitive as pumpkins.

3/7/2011 2:51:01 PM

Okla

I know there is a relavance on the pH scale to what nutrients it will release/lockup according to the pH scale. at a lower pH say 6.5 it will release different nutrients to what a 7.2 pH level does. The pH level locks up certian nutrients at different pH levels.

3/9/2011 9:01:50 PM

Owensboro, Ky.

Dewight, the favorite lab on the pkn boards, seems to be A&L, but I sorta think that is because, they have a pkn head onboard!!!! (A&L West, I think)!!! Another step to be taken by Melon Heads...find a lab to test for us...w/Melon Heads in mind!!! BMoon,tissue testing certainly would give you up to date info on what yer plant needs...down side, again is cost!! And where to send it?
PS...this type of talk will bring new world records!!!!!! Peace, Wayne

3/9/2011 10:42:56 PM

Watervalley Ms

I believe that there is not a perfect ph for all gardens.THE ph in your garden may not be the best for mine.IT depends on the soil your in, the ferts you use, many factors. If you have the extra money to do a tissue sample go for it all we can do is try. As the late Bill Carson said keep swinging you bound to hit one out.

3/10/2011 8:29:09 AM

Bowdon, GA

I don't think most of us watermelon growers have payed much attention to soil tests in the past. I always just threw out a bunch of cow manure and planted them. So I figured I should follow the led of pumpkin growers this year. I got my first soil test this fall and found that although the number were high they were out of balance. Also that my ph was 5.4 , Hopefully this year will be pretty good.

3/10/2011 6:08:23 PM