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Ohio

Im going to give this a go again this year. It Seems to me it would be almost impossable to cross pollinate because the flowers are so small,can you cross pollinate them? Im growing seeds out of Phill Hunts GIANT watermelon from last year along with Wentzells 100 Pound watermelon seeds from a few years back.I found it hard to run a watermelon in a christmas tree pattern and it seemed like it took alot longer for the vines to root then pumpkin vines.

The watermelon I grew last year was about 50-60lbs and had fantastic colors in it, it almost looked like it was air brushed.I also cut the Melon off the vine to early last year because I thought it was ready, When I cut it open it was still all white inside.Also, whats the best way to tell when a watermelon is ready to be picked from the vine and is there anything slightly diffrent I should do growing watermelons then I would growing pumpkins.

Thanks,
Brooks

1/21/2005 4:56:18 AM

Ottawa, Ohio

Hi, You can hand pollinate them.... I have not yet but you can use a small artist paint brush or probably a method similar to pumpkins. As for the training of the watermelons mine are usually a star pattern. This year I grew a 177.5 pounder and the vines looked pretty bad. I had around eight vines starting at the base of the plant. They were all around 10 or 12 feet long. Almost no side vines and they naturally only had one or two melons / plant. Leave the melon on the vine until there is no more measurable groth for giant watermelons. For other varieties check the tendral by the melon if its dry look at the next tendral each way down the vine. If they're dry its probably ready. Also look at the bottom of the melon if its creamy yellow instead of white it should be ready.

www.melonman.com has some info not much but some.

1/21/2005 11:59:18 AM

Md/ Usa

try reading the following sources.
"a monster watermelon" , new york times, aug 28 1882, p 5
"how grow giant vegetables "by bernard lavery
"champion vegetables" southern living octomber 1995 p 94-97
"growing the big ones",organic gardening, july 1977 p 140-143
"here how to grow giant vegetables",organic gardening, dec 1994, p 22-29
Growing giant pumpkins & watermelons/ Lee, Gail S./ 1989

1/21/2005 12:47:10 PM

Massillon, Ohio

JAB has more secrets but he just wont tell (i'm very convinced of this !!)


:)

1/21/2005 1:32:50 PM

Ottawa, Ohio

Didn't you see that movie? I can't remember the name but the girl kept saying "I'll never tell"

Ha Ha, I really don't have any secrets. Yet! Heck, I'm still trying to learn. Just wish I could find some good info.....

1/21/2005 2:45:15 PM

Massillon, Ohio

'eh WHATEVER'

1/21/2005 3:23:30 PM

Ohio

Mat, Ill be looking forward to reading all them books your going to send me. Uhhh you are going to send em right?

Love always,
Brooksie

1/21/2005 4:31:01 PM

Ohio

DAB,

Thanks alot, I didnt know that about the tendrills,

1/21/2005 4:35:09 PM

Ohio

also I used a good bit of 0-0-60 on my melon plant and it seemed to do very well,Although my pumpkin plant that was right next to it was toasted from using it.. you think a watermelon plant is more tolerant to 0-0-60 then a pumpkin plant? It seemed like it to me.

Thanks,
Brooks

1/21/2005 4:40:54 PM

Lexington,IN

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/bigwatermelons/

1/21/2005 10:52:41 PM

Md/ Usa

brooks try interlibary loan for most of of them.

1/22/2005 9:43:11 AM

Ohio

Mat, all joking aside, that was a great artical you sent me through email THANKS!

Brooks

1/22/2005 2:52:00 PM

Md/ Usa

books the acticle i sent reads almost like it was written
resently even though it was that old.

1/22/2005 4:30:58 PM

Ohio

What water melon seeds you growing this year mat? I know your own, but anyone eles's seeds? them hunt seeds look like they will be good ones.

Brooks

1/23/2005 4:52:35 AM

Cameron,ontario Team Lunatic

Brooks, you bet they're good seeds,:)LOL. The cross on the 160 Hunt is 199.6 Mitchell x 193 Mitchell. I'm sure it would have made the 200# mark if we had a better summer. It's tough to grow watermelons in the cold weather (avg temp 70-75). Good luck Brooks, I hope they do well for you.

Phil

1/23/2005 7:16:43 AM

Md/ Usa

actaul i am growing seed i baught at watermelon seed auction.

1/23/2005 10:16:41 AM

Lexington,IN

Mat, What seed auction are you speaking of? I had one a few weeks ago but don't recall seeing you there. Was there another Watermelon seed auction, or were you using another name than on here? P and P seeds will have some good watermelon seeds for sale shortly. Current members of my big watermelons group on Yahoo, had the chance to bid on some nice watermelon seeds, probably some only available through the auction. Oh well there's always next year... Members also trade seeds amoungst thier selves, and I make mine available every year.
See Ya,Dewight
If you happen to have seeds from my 182 Blanton from 2003, grow it, it is and will be a good producer.

1/23/2005 10:35:17 AM

Lexington,IN

try this link for seeds in a month or so...
www.blantsblimps.com

1/23/2005 10:42:32 AM

Lexington,IN

Cant even spell my last name, link should of been...
www.blantonsblimps.com

1/23/2005 10:43:32 AM

Waverly, Ohio

Hi folks, I'm new to the site. A fellow SOGPG grower said I should get on here because folks were talking watermelons. I grew a 197.5lb melon (and a 161, and a 152, and five others over 120 lbs) last year. It was hand pollinated from a 98 lb male and a 109 lb female, however I'd done some reading that paid off :)Seed is still available thru the club I'm in, www.geocities.com/sogpg, if not, let me know. I have also purchased some seeds from giantwatermelons.com, however the resulting melon plants differed greatly in color and plant structure, and the melons had much larger open cavities in the center. The weights came out okay and differed less than 5% by calculation but they just looked different.

2/14/2005 1:15:03 AM