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Location

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Date Posted

Bethlehem CT

Does it make a difference if the melon is set on the main or secondary vine?

3/4/2008 9:49:49 AM

Rochester, Minnesota

I bet it does, but I have to say that I have set 200+ melons on secondary vines. I have hard time getting females pollinated on the primary, although my good friend Dave was pretty successful last year.

3/4/2008 12:23:00 PM

Rochester, MN

I agree with MN Melon Man, they are tough to set on the main vine. I also think growers will need to take their AG hats off...watermelons seem to produce 5 "main" vines and the pipes of these vines seem just as thick as the main vine. I was able to set the 1st "main" vine and get a 183.5 lber...but my 195 came from a 2nd "main" vine.
Anyways, I'm not convinced of the importance of the 1st "main" vine anymore for watermelon...like I am for an AG.

3/4/2008 11:41:41 PM

Cameron,ontario Team Lunatic

Our biggest melon was grown on a secondary vine. It was 207.6#. Bill Donkers believes that the main is the only way to go. We'll work hard to try to get one set on the main this year & see what happens, if not a secondary will have to do.

Phil

3/5/2008 10:18:27 AM

Deer Park WA

We grew two watermelon plants a couple of years ago (1st & only time) set one each (hand pollinated) on the main and grew a 101# and a 60# watermelon. The seeds were from Lowell Hattons 201# melon. I bet if I had pruned and buried the plant it would have done better... Will try again this year!

Gerry

3/5/2008 11:01:21 AM

Rochester, Minnesota

If you only grew a 101 and 60, I would be it was other factors. I don't agree with the bury vines yet. I would guess that you started the plants late or you didn't get the sun you needed.

3/5/2008 11:52:22 AM

Ohio

Iam withJames on burying the vines.Ive noticed that watermelons dont throw many tap roots off the vines. They will but not like the pumpkins.
Also i think we will have treat the watermelons different, i dont know if the ferts we give the pumpkins will work. Meaning, that we may have to feed them different.
Juat a thought, May be wrong , but ill find out.
Any thoughts ?

Danny Reeb

3/5/2008 6:27:06 PM

Deer Park WA

If they try to send down a tap root then thats good for a lot of reasons(nutrient uptake, anchoring etc) I buried my vines mostly to keep them from twisting around in the wind. Here is a cool link to cultivating watermelons...

http://www.georgia4h.org/public/edops/nationalfair/pumpkincontest/content/giant_watermelon_tips.pdf

3/5/2008 7:48:52 PM

Rochester, Minnesota

I do not bury my vines, probably Because of the vast numbers of vines. I do use J shaped stakes to pin down the vines to spread them out and to keep the wind from playing havoc with them. It also encourages secondary rooting by holding the vine to the ground. My plants will generally root at least 5 junctions down the vine.

Just because I think this way, doesn't make it right. I have had some success with my growing techniques, but can easily be convinced otherwise. I do have a 2 page tips and techniques that I use for growing giants that I always include when sending out seeds. If anyone wants it, just append here with your email address or drop me a note (james@rconnect.com) and I will send it to you.

3/6/2008 9:57:58 AM

Bowdon, GA

Melon Man I like to see those tips thanks inrock30108@aol.com

3/6/2008 7:07:03 PM

Rochester, Minnesota

Holloway, It's on the way.

3/7/2008 9:07:48 AM

Bowdon, GA

Melon Man thanks for the tips

3/7/2008 9:08:59 PM

Klickitat Washington

melon man was wondering if i could get the tips from you also thanks Duane huckleberry_1us@hotmail.com

3/8/2008 12:25:57 PM

Rochester, Minnesota

Duane, It's on the way.

3/10/2008 9:34:16 AM

formerly RGG

Melon man will you please email me your watermelon growing tips.My email is coolvol@comcast.net
Thanks,Dennis

6/18/2008 7:40:43 PM