From

Location

Message

Date Posted

Eastern Shore of VA

Beginner grower this year.
This forum has been a wealth of knowledge.Thank you all for the willingness to share info.I would especially like to thank Marvin Mitchell and Bill Edwards for all the valuable info they have given me.
Any way, Potted tonight :

1-193 Bright
1-251.4 kent
1-296.5 Barber
1-209 Schinicker (sp ?)
Anyone else?

4/10/2015 11:02:10 PM

Frankfort Ohio

not yet to early here couple weeks yet

4/11/2015 9:57:32 AM

formerly RGG

I have a lot of Kent seeds up and some good genetics from Kyle Clark and a 229 Edwards and some of my 119's. I may have 5 spots to grow in if I am able to deal with the groundhogs. If not I will have my one raised bed in the front yard.

4/11/2015 5:21:13 PM

Forest Hill,md.

Good germination has yielded (2) 316 edwards,(1) 229 Edwards,(2) 296.5 Barbers, (1) 253 Mudd, (1) 253 Neptune, (1)272 Edwards,and last but not least (2)241.5 Glasgows..That is the intended lineup.All the 306 bartolis were no-shows.

4/11/2015 6:16:04 PM

Grant, AL

We have several seedlings with 4-5 true leaves. Our lineup is (1)316 Edwards, (2)296.5 Barber, (1) 256 Mudd, (1)253 Mudd, and (1)229 Edwards. The 316, 253, and one of the Barbers could probably be planted at any time. Gettin crowded under the grow light! Dennis, when do you suggest planting? I am in Northeast Alabama.

4/11/2015 10:03:48 PM

formerly RGG

Charles, we all have to make a decision about when to plant based on several factors.A couple of the most important ones are late setting melons seem to grow fastest and secondly when is the grow-off you want to enter and your local weather will have a lot to do with it. One year I set some plants out too early and I even had a dusting of snow on top of their covers at one point. Later set plants seem to take off faster for me for sure though.

4/12/2015 6:27:01 AM

Grant, AL

Thanks Dennis! Our weather has been in the 70-75 degree range during the day and 50s at night with no drastic changes in sight. I know how crazy weather can be in our neck of the woods this time of year though. I have also had our planting spots covered to aid in warming ground and I have been hardening off plants this week so I think I may plant a couple of our bigger seedlings today. The only thing making me second guess planting is that we are suppose to get about 3-4 inches of rain next week. Would it be better to plant before the rain or hold off till after?

4/12/2015 9:06:14 AM

formerly RGG

Charles, I set a couple of plants out a few days ago and have them covered with a large piece of glass out of an old storm door. The glass is sitting on 4 large inverted black plastic pots and there is a brick sitting on each corner of the glass to help hold it down in a very strong wind. So these plants won't be worried about the rain for awhile. If you are able to gift your plants some protection maybe you should go ahead and get started. Otherwise if I were you I might wait for a few more days. Always be sure you have backups though as no one knows what awful and unusual things might happen to the ones already set out. I still have groundhogs roaming my back yard and, in case I fail to get rid of them in time, I am growing lots of bait plants to set out down there to help protect any plants I grow there. I hate groundhogs !!! LOL

4/12/2015 8:48:24 PM

Grant, AL

Dennis, I went ahead and planted a couple of plants today. Protecting them with a panel from an old cold frame. Forecast has changed for now and we are only suppose to get about 1.5 inches of rain next week. Maybe everything will be fine. Hate to hear about your critter problems. I hope you take care of them even though I have a connection with groundhogs. Birthday is February 2!!! LOL

4/12/2015 9:35:15 PM

Eastern Shore of VA

Wow, y'all are way ahead of me.3 of the four have popped today;
193 bright ahead of all the others.209 schinicker up as well.
The 251 kent is squirming around so I assume he will be up in the morning.
Nothing yet on the 296.5 barber.
Averaging mid 60s here with upper 40s/ mostly low 50s at night.

4/12/2015 10:24:19 PM

Grant, AL

Hang in there ESheel31! Weather and temps should moderate where you are before long. We have gotten warmer temps earlier than normal here. I do agree that between Marvin, Bill, and Dennis you will find the answer to any watermelon growing question you have. They have all helped me tremendously.

4/12/2015 10:52:11 PM

Home of happy lil plants

i may just plant soon enough

4/13/2015 12:44:32 AM

Grant, AL

How are the grafts doing Spence? I thought you would have planted something already.

4/13/2015 5:12:25 AM

Home of happy lil plants

damping off after it made it outside, so nope I'm looking at just getting some going for later weigh offs now

4/13/2015 9:14:19 AM

Home of happy lil plants

early part of the year can never seem to go quiteeee right for me

4/13/2015 9:19:39 AM

South Arkansas

Charles, the best hours of sunlight are in June and July. Get your plants started in the ground now so you will have melons setting on in early June. By getting melons set in early June, your first 60 days of fruit growth will be while the days are the longest. Waiting to transplant will set you to growing fruit when the days are shortening. That will put you at a disadvantage with growers in areas that have longer days than you. Shelter your plants from wind and hail but get them out now. If there is a late frost, throw a pile of pine straw over each plant and they will be fine.

4/13/2015 2:59:35 PM

Grant, AL

Thanks a lot Mr. Bright! I planted 3 plants yesterday and I will probably plant the other 3 next weekend. No signs of any temps below 50 at night with daytime temps in the 70s. Never know about weather around here though!

4/13/2015 5:12:15 PM

Eastern Shore of VA

Well I'm down to 2.was gonna cull to 2 anyway ,but I had hoped they would have gotten a little bigger first.
The 296.5 Barber never made it out of the gate.
193 Bright was trucking along nicely. First out of the soil,first to stand up,
Large seed, was way ahead of the others.....
And then my 2 year old son wanted to "help".
I'll start more in a week or so I guess
The 251.4 Kent and 209 Schinicker are off the heat and under the lights.
Removed seed coat easily and slid them under the lights for a few hrs this afternoon.
Will start 14-16 hrs tommorow .

4/13/2015 7:38:53 PM

Bethlehem CT

ESheel31 I think the eastern shore has great soil and climate for growing giant melons. I hope you grow a real whopper this year.

4/14/2015 7:40:26 AM

Billerica,Massachusetts

got 2 296.5 Barbers going

4/14/2015 7:54:27 AM

Grant, AL

Any suggestions for things to use as covers for stumps. I am out of cold frame panels that I was using.

4/14/2015 6:19:21 PM

Eastern Shore of VA

Big moon you are correct.
83% of income in the two counties is agricultural based.
You can sure grow some pretty potatoes here I know that.
I'm hoping to grow a whopper and I hope you do as well.

Charles I don't know if it will work, but I was going to try using an old folding card table.just bury the legs a little.just an idea .

4/14/2015 8:53:05 PM

Deal With It

I'm waiting until the 20th to start my 306 Bartoli, 296.5 Barber, and 227 Bright. I'll be growing a fourth, but I've yet to decide on which one.

4/16/2015 9:54:02 AM

Eastern Shore of VA

Potted four more today.
Same as above.
The two plants are under light (T5) but extremely leggy.
Actually,leggy is an understatement.
Stilts is probably better.
The cots are twisted and folding under.
My light is 2 inches away.Is it too hot?
Hoping for better luck this time.

4/16/2015 5:56:36 PM

formerly RGG

ESheel31, think about some LED or HID lights. These put out enough light so you won't get leggy plants in most cases.

4/16/2015 7:14:54 PM

Eastern Shore of VA

Lol
Thanks TD.
Wish I had found this out sooner before investing in this T5 setup !
Are the folded cots normal?

4/16/2015 8:27:16 PM

formerly RGG

Folded cots are not unusual but they are not desirable.

4/17/2015 7:04:31 AM

Corryton, TN

ES Try to get the next batch under the light before they start to break through the soil. Some light will filter through the cracks and help the seedling start to green up before it gets all the way out. T5's work great for me but I prefer the sun even if it's only 65° outside. I've not had much luck with leggy plants. Consider more extras. We are at the front of the germination window for most weigh-offs.

4/17/2015 7:38:51 AM

simpson,KS

morning all the seeds are up 296 barber,260.5clementz ,272.5e andk Neptune, 253 neptunue ,adozen 227 brights they all germinated, 272 Edwards, 297.6 bartoli, 272.4 bartolli, 233 bartolli, 280 bartolli, and the 267 Edwards did not germ ,about 32 in all will be busy this summer.

4/17/2015 9:18:29 AM

Eastern Shore of VA

Thanks Brother Dave. It is my first year so I'm not expecting record setting results.
I am very meticulous though, and strive for everything to be just right.
I'm grateful for the advice folks like you, and TD give.
Probably gonna start a diary soon.
That way y'all can keep me in check !

4/17/2015 4:40:29 PM

Grant, AL

I am in a similiar boat that you are in ESheel. This is just our second year of growing these big melons. The most important thing that I have learned after the first year is ask as many questions as you can to people like Brother Dave and Dennis(TD). I can tell you first hand that the experienced growers are more willing to help with any question that you have. Also, do as much research as you can on growing the melons before you plant. I made the mistake last year of not having all of my ducks in a row before planting and I think it hurt our results. We are expecting more success this year after all of the knowledge that we have gained over the past year. Good luck this year ESheel!!

4/17/2015 5:30:28 PM

Eastern Shore of VA

Thanks Charles.
Wealth of knowledge on here.
Did you see my post on the folding card table for stump protection?
Don't know if it will work?
Hope you grow em big down there in Bama.

4/17/2015 7:53:31 PM

Grant, AL

Yes I did! Thanks for the suggestion! I am trying to find something clear to allow sunlight through. If I can't find something clear I might just follow your advice. Lord knows I have plenty of tables not being used!!LOL

4/17/2015 8:12:52 PM

Eastern Shore of VA

Lol
How about a patio table.
Most of those have glass tops.

4/17/2015 8:42:00 PM

Grant, AL

Good idea! I just started a diary and I have pictures of the 3 plants that I planted last Sunday. I have the plants planted in the middle of a 2 foot wide mound that is about 6-8" high. This is first year I have had a diary and it is very easy to post pictures.

4/17/2015 9:23:18 PM

Eastern Shore of VA

Well,the new ones have popped.
193 Bright(again the first one up)
251 Kent
296.5 Barber
This time the 209 Schinicker is the slow poke.
Did as you suggested brother dave and moved them on over to the lights.
Had about 12 hours of it today.
Seed coats all intact. Kind of weird to see it,Looks like the seed is just standing up in the pot. Lol.
Lost my first 251Kent to damping off,so I'm glad I started another batch.
They germ well in my cooler set up, both times up in a little over 40 hours.
Gonna try to set up my diary tonight.
Thanks everyone.

4/18/2015 8:56:16 PM

Eastern Shore of VA

Lol
My diary is totally messed up already.
The same thing will probably post about 5 times. (Stupid iPhone)

4/18/2015 9:43:18 PM