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Adams County

from germenation to picking . what is the number of days? app.. thanks Bill

2/23/2008 4:28:35 PM

Rochester, MN

Bill,
Last year, I started the seeds 2nd week of March and Harvested some the last week of Sept to mid Oct...one to a 40th bday party, one to a school VB party, etc...they are a blast!
David Bhaskaran
Rochester, MN

2/24/2008 8:25:49 PM

Adams County

Dave, thanks. thats about 180 to 210 days. trying to get my timing down for a early contest. thanks for the reply. Bill

2/24/2008 9:30:21 PM

Berlin,mi.(zuhlke2@hotmail.com)

Bill, This is an email I got back from Marvin Mitchell.I asked him for a basic timeline so I had an idea of dates to work with. This will be my 1st year growing melons.
HI MARVIN,

COULD YOU GIVE ME A BRIEF TIME LINE ON WATERMELON GROWING.

GERM. DATE May 4th I start my seeds

POTTING DATE May 8th There up (most of the time) then I repot to bigger pots 3 times.

PLANT OUTSIDE DATE About the June 1st to June 6th

POLLINATION DATE From June 29th to July 10th I like to have 90 to 110 days to grow them. But I have grown a 216# melon in 60 days. So I do not know if there are any rules for growing time.

Hope this helps

Marvin

2/25/2008 5:30:54 AM

Adams County

Steve; Thx for the info. Also my first yr.growing watermelon. And by the way congrats on 1302! Bill

2/25/2008 7:02:00 PM

Bowdon, GA

Bill,
I'm down here in Georgia so I don't know how much help this might be. I typically plant out side as early as possible without fear of frost. Often later on it gets really dry and it seems to stun young unestablished plants. As far as growing time it also seems to very. The best time to pick a watermelon is when it stops growing.I had one that was far bigger than my father in law's melon when it stopped growing. His grew for a few more weeks and surpassed mine. They were planted at the same time. I ussually plant early and try to extend the growing period as long as possible. Be careful not to pick a giant melon to early. Often common methods of picking ripe melons is to soon for giant melons. Wait till they stop growing. Keep in mind though I'm no expert this just seems to be my experience.

2/26/2008 9:21:06 PM

Adams County

Holloway, thanks for the reply. all information is great help. thanks Bill

2/27/2008 6:10:21 PM

Boulder County Colorado USA planet Earth

So how long are the transplants when u place them into the dirt?

Do U burry the vines>

2/28/2008 5:38:00 PM

Ohio

i always try to plant them like my pumpkins,meaning as soon has i can. I dont like the plant to get root bound. You may have to warm the soil a little, watermelons dont like the colder soil.
Has far as buring the vine, i dont . I have been told by many that you may run more of a risk with the soil dieases.
They will throw tap roots though, something i havent seen in other melons. Hope this helps

2/28/2008 6:46:23 PM

Bowdon, GA

Captain Cold weather,
I agree with D=Reeb. I try to time it so that I'm planting them right after the first secondary leaves appear. It also seems to help them take off faster if the soil their potted in is similar to the soil your going to plant them in because there already accustom to it. Down here in Georgia we have a lot of red clay. If their are started in pretty black soil and then transplanted to the clay they don't want to spread their rots. Of coarse this would be an extreme example. I don't burry my vine either. I think they would rot alot easier. Good luck on the melons

2/28/2008 8:20:32 PM

Rochester, Minnesota

See now, here's where we are different. I start my plants in March, and by the time I can put them in the garden, they are vibrant 3' long plants, some even with flowers. I use a 12" piece of 9" corrugated drain tile stood on end in a standard growing tray; I can fit two per tray. I cut the drain tile on both sides, drill holes up the cut and zip tie them back together so I can easily disassemble the pot once I slide it into the hole. Their are no transplant problems. This has worked great for me for years.

2/29/2008 10:23:18 AM

Bowdon, GA

Melon Man, How long do you ussually allow between starting and transplanting in that size container? I might try it on a few and see how it works.Thanks

2/29/2008 5:16:17 PM

Western NY

Melon Man - with that early of a start, do you pollinate early or shoot for the same June 29th to July 10th dates, with presumably a larger plant?

2/29/2008 5:34:48 PM

Ohio

James, do you have trouble with the plant getting root bound? I know you put them in a bigger container, but still. The only reason i do mine the way i do, is so i can keep them moving, once planted. I know with plants that we plant in the the field, we have always tryed to plant them before they reach a certian stage.
Yes, i may have to take a little more care with them. Keep them warmer, soil and air. But to me its worth it.

Also, what soil type do you have? This year iam going to add a little sand to one area. I know watermelons like sand soil. Just a thought.

Danny Reeb

2/29/2008 7:34:00 PM

Rochester, Minnesota

Lots of questions.

1) I shoot for Mid June for pollination with a fall back of the 20th of June. I won't run with a melon pollinated in July. They never seem to get above 180.

2) I start the melon in a small container and then move to the drain tile quickly. I only have about 20 of the drain tiles, so I like to chose which plants go in.

3) the plants have never been root bound. The soil is close to a foot deep and 9" across.

4) When God gives you sand, you grow melons. I have a five acre lot in the corner of an old subdivision and it has a retention pond. They dug basically pure sandbox sand out of the pond and built up the area that makes up my garden. I have amended it greatly over the years, but it's still high degree sand with great drainage.

3/3/2008 10:54:32 AM

Owensboro, Ky.

MMM, More ?'s...!!!
1) When do you have to harvest? Maybe we can pollinate later in the south?
2) Seriously, 12" x 9" and roots are not bound up, I am now looking for 9" corrugated drain tile...btw...what is corrugated drain tile!!!! LOL
4)Am now looking for a source of free sand!!!! Peace, Wayne

3/3/2008 2:22:39 PM

Owensboro, Ky.

Sorry, I forgot #3....thanks for the seeds!!!!!! Peace, Wayne

3/3/2008 2:23:45 PM

Rochester, Minnesota

I have to harvest for the first Saturday in October for the weighin's, but frankly the melons are done growing a week or two before. That is, unless the weather holds. This allows maximum red meat area, and highest percentage of viable seeds.

The pieces I use for growing they sell at the local building store for connecting 9" black plastic drain tile together. I like them for strength and for the fact that two fit so nicely in a standard growing flat.

I think the extra height helps keep the roots from binding, and also the open bottom. I have used these for 4 years now successfully.

Wayne, you are most welcome. Grow some great melons this year.

3/3/2008 4:03:41 PM

Bowdon, GA

One thing about adding sand down here we have a heavy clay. If organic matter is not added with it it can make a mess. Melon Man I think I,ve seen you web site before. If it's the one I thinking of those watermelons are huge!!!!

3/3/2008 7:55:22 PM

Mt Vernon Ky

add sand to clay and you have some good concrete not being a wise a$$

3/3/2008 9:38:00 PM

Rochester, Minnesota

Everyone has different circumstances, and my garden doesn't have any clay to speak of.

I don't have a website, so you are probably thinking about Bob Dwyer, who goes by the monicor of Melon Man. I'm not terribly original so I just added Minnesota on the front of that, some what like the 3M company.

I am not original, but I have been know to copy people that are!

3/4/2008 10:41:07 AM