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Ut

Oh man this watermelon growing stuff is fun. I got some mutant seeds from James White (thank you James!) with the goal of growing a 50 pound watermelon which I thought would be pretty cool. Now it’s day 21 on one vine and I’m at 55 pounds (OTT 119) and adding steady 4 pounds a day. It’s the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen. I’ve never been to a festival or anything so this is the first big melon I’ve seen and apparently it’s still tiny to you all. I read Loyd’s book which was very helpful, lots of posts here, and Jame’s tips. Being a beginner I can’t imagine my luck keeping up, but so far I’m in awe and definitely hooked.

Question: From what I’ve read it looks like these melons can mature for about 60 days. What happens to the late set melons? Will they keep growing until frost? Do they slow down in cooler weather? Our first average frost date is Oct. 9th. The melon I mentioned above is on time I think but on the other plant I’m down to a couple pear shaped melons in the mid 80’s OTT, and a couple of smaller melons that look faster growing an way better shaped. Do the melons stop growing or slow significantly at a certain temperature etc… ? I culled a couple of good shaped melons early on after some longer flowers set, but they turned in to pears and were slower growing. Good lesson for next year I suppose.

8/2/2011 1:30:47 PM

formerly RGG

When night time temps drop into the mid 50's and below growth will slow. There will be slower and slower growth as the night temps go even lower. There will be some growth however as long as the plant and melon are healthy. Some of the northern heavy hitters cover their melons up with different things when it gets cold to mitigate the effect of cold weather. They use foam coolers, quilts or whatever else they have that they think might help to keep their melons warmer at night. Early starts are critical for growing huge melons in most areas. Many northern growers use greenhouses to provide full season temperature control.

8/2/2011 5:40:27 PM

Muddy Waters

Thats 80 days to maturity they can grow past 90 days!

8/2/2011 6:58:56 PM

Ut

80-90 day from pollination!? wow, I guess I really need to have them going as early as possible.

Thanks for the cover-it-up tip. I'll want to get everything I can out of it. Although I started with 50 lbs in mind now I can't get 200 out of my head (actually I'll be thrilled with whatever I wind up with this year, but one day...)

8/2/2011 9:22:05 PM

Muddy Waters

From my experience melons only ripen on the vine,They need 80 days to ripen,I have eaten many of them , they were the best(sweetest)Ive ever had.Good Luck! I hope you grow a World record 1 lb smaller than mine.LOL

8/2/2011 9:45:10 PM

Owensboro, Ky.

wmdentist...Grow em BIG!!! Peace, Wayne

8/2/2011 11:36:48 PM

Rochester, Minnesota

I am glad you have a good one going. It's been a horrid year for me with a lack of germination, and only late sets. I have probably just one melon that I have any hope for, and it is on good genetics.

I find when the weather cools (September) that I switch to a higher N fertilizer in order to kick start the plant again. At that point I usually just through on some Miracle grow.

8/3/2011 9:25:38 AM

Ut

I’m sorry to hear that James. I had another 4 vines going on a 100x40 foot plot at my parents and I lost them all to a wilt according to the extension office. I am solarizing that area for next year. Anyone have any success with soil solarization? I tilled in lots of organics, laid the drip, then clear plastic, sealed the edges with soil, and watered deep. It’s really hot to the touch so I think it’s working. Luckily my other 2 plants were at my house and they took off.

I’ll remember to raise the N in Sep. Right now I’m following your high phosphorus advice. I run it through the drip with each watering.

8/3/2011 11:34:26 AM

Bowdon, GA

Don't have much experience with cool temps here. Ussually still about 150 degrees in Sept. here LOL

8/3/2011 10:23:50 PM

Rochester, Minnesota

Which is why I don't live in GA. It's horrid as it is here, but occasionally, just occasionally, we get some nice sleeping weather.

8/4/2011 9:42:34 AM