From

Location

Message

Date Posted

Spring Hope, N.C. - USA

What are best gourds to graft watermelons with? Would like to hear everybodies opinion.

3/16/2017 5:01:12 PM

East Tennessee

Lagenaria siceraria is what I have found most use. lots of gourds in this family such as long gourd, bushel gourd...I used a gourd called rampart that came from takki seeds and it worked well. problem is I cant find it anymore. I have heard of people using bushel and long gourds. also heard of a few that have used a fig leaf gourd.

3/16/2017 9:45:13 PM

Chapel Hill, NC

http://www.neseed.com/Watermelon-Cucumber-Melon-Rootstock-RST-04-109-MW-p/34004.htm?Click=30611

3/17/2017 8:29:26 AM

The North Coast

Most any lagenaria does well because the varieties are nearly genetically identical. The interspecific squash blows up stumps.
Kitazawa Seed Company may be able to special order Takii seeds if you call them

3/17/2017 9:01:50 AM

Chapel Hill, NC

So the seeds I posted is a bad idea? I haven't tried them for a growing season just did some experimental grafting with them over the winter.

3/17/2017 10:39:13 AM

The North Coast

Looks like the RST-04-109 is the interspecific squash (C. moschata x C. maxima). That one will blow out your stump almost 100% of the time. Nobody uses it anymore. Same cross as Shintosa.

3/17/2017 2:56:57 PM

Owensboro, Ky.

I have a 135.5 Nieuwenhoff Bushel Gourd seed, will that work? Peace, Wayne

3/17/2017 4:15:33 PM

Home of happy lil plants

I just want to know if I can use these left over 2009 kin seeds iI figure if it holds thru day. 40ish Of the fruit its 400lb melon

3/17/2017 5:43:45 PM

Eastern Shore of VA

I had luck with a fig leaf gourd.

3/18/2017 12:21:47 PM

Owensboro, Ky.

Anyone have a couple/three/6 seeds that I can try grafting with? Will gladly pay postage! Peace, Wayne

3/25/2017 1:04:16 AM

Fuquay Varina, NC

Peace, Wayne...You want some Bushel gourd seeds. I'll send you some from my 136.15 2016 if you want them. harryhurley@hotmail.com

3/25/2017 11:22:36 PM

The North Coast

I'd venture a guess and say that any night flowering gourd (lagenaria) would be good. This includes long gourds. Plant the rootstocks one week before your melons so the two plants are at the right age.

3/27/2017 7:27:52 AM

Owensboro, Ky.

Bat, and right age means close to the same size? "circumfrence of both root stock & graft?" Peace, Wayne H3, am as confused as when I started...Bushel gourds work well for grating a melon onto? If yes, then yes!!

3/28/2017 2:48:43 PM

Fuquay Varina, NC

I don't know if bushel gourds are good or not. I have never grafted anything. Out of my league presently. Just that I have some if anyone wants them.

3/28/2017 8:43:52 PM

The North Coast

If you're doing hole insertion grafting a week earlier makes it better. If you are doing single cotyledon method then you want to try to match stem sizes and an extra week may not be needed.

3/29/2017 7:00:12 AM

East Tennessee

I have found that starting melons and the gourds that germinate fairly easy I start at same time. I have to start bushel gourd early and I havent messed with long gourd much.

3/29/2017 9:14:25 AM

East Tennessee

btw i am talking about using single cot method

3/29/2017 9:14:57 AM

I am trying to graft a melon on to clyde but the crazy camel won't stand still

3/29/2017 10:51:39 AM

Owensboro, Ky.

Do you realize that you told us this camel story, before? LOL Peace, Wayne

3/30/2017 1:33:10 AM

NE Arkansas

I'm grafting to AG's... 400 or blow up the stump!

3/30/2017 12:32:02 PM

Bethlehem CT

The AG grafts are amazing out of the gate, it would be something if someone could get one to last a whole season. Just an idea here, but perhaps root prune the plant early on to stunt the width of the rootstock stump.

4/20/2017 7:04:02 AM

NE Arkansas

I'm kidding... would like to try it tho

4/20/2017 12:17:12 PM

Bethlehem CT

I have made it to early July with an AG root system. The plant was clearly superior in early season growth.

4/21/2017 8:25:35 PM