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Williamsburg,KY

This year Im trying my hand at growing giant watermelons..I even bot expensive seeds. My problem is I see no female blossoms...The main vine came out and the side vines are running no female flowers, just male...Is there anything I can do?? I have not used the wrong fertilizer, its the same I used last year on my regular melons...Croley Bend

7/3/2007 2:43:04 PM

Rochester, Minnesota

I am not sure that fertilizer can change whether a plant produces male or female flowers.

How long are your vines currently?

I generally find that I only get Male flowers when the plant is small, such as up to 6 feet long. It's as though the plant is training the bees for the future.

As for expensive seeds...There are lots of us that would have sent you some free ones.

7/3/2007 3:20:09 PM

Gays Mills,WI

Maybe to much N in your soil, my brother has the same problem you do so far. Lots of vine with no fruit.

7/3/2007 7:20:13 PM

Williamsburg,KY

The vines are about 7 feet long and yesterday I took a good look and did find one little watermelon but the blossom has not open yet. I have three hills, one plant in each hill. Is it a good idea to trim the main vine so the secondarys can make females? Do you keep the vine like you would a pumpkin vine? As for the seeds, wish I would have thought to ask earlier...live and learn. So do I even have a chance for making melons...one year I had melons by July, big ones.. We have had some weird weather, garden too wet to plant early and then no rain and hot weather..But I do water my melons regularly. Hope someone can unravel my problem...thanks. Croley Bend

7/4/2007 7:45:33 AM

Rochester, Minnesota

Seven feet long is not that big of a plant. I could imagine that it was just now starting to put out female flowers. Just pollinate them as they arrive.

Honestly, I do not trim vines, but an argument could be made to do it. For instance, it would cut down the number of melons to cull in the future. I just like the idea of keeping large numbers of leaves.

7/5/2007 10:23:25 AM

Williamsburg,KY

Melon Man, you are so right, the vine has started to put out females flowers. The heat has been unbearable here so perhaps that had something to do with it. I did find a melon or two but no pollination, they just dropped off. Then last night, we took a walk in the patch and found melons. One is as big as your computer mouse. I'll be watching that one. Dont know how I missed it..I used to grow the big pumpkins, but just way too much work and ya cant eat them..Thanks for your help. Croley Bend

7/9/2007 7:59:44 AM