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formerly RGG

This is for M Melon Man - or anyone else with the proper knowledge. I need to know when is the best date to set a Carolina Cross to have it ready for the Tennessee Valley fair. It begins on September fifth.Unless I do extremely well this will be the extent of my showing off with my melon growing this year.So I need a melon that will be at its peak of perfection on this date.Any help will be much apprecaited.

6/22/2008 7:42:51 PM

Rochester, Minnesota

I recommend a June 19th to June 25th date, and you should have a nice looking melon with some viable seeds. It might not have red flesh as far out to the rind as you can, but it should be good. of course we are at the end of that time range, so hopefully you are setting some now. If not, go for as soon as you can. I believe the big melon grower in Michigan last year actually set his late.

We eat many melons in early September that are not going to be winners. Otherwise I have a ton of watermelons all coming due at the same time.

6/23/2008 10:47:37 AM

formerly RGG

MMM,thanks for the quick reply.I can harly imagine the challenges you face trying to grow CC melons that far north.Perhaps the challenge makes it more fun for you.

I do have several melons already set on.The oldest and biggest is probably going on 10 days from it's pollination date.It's about eight inches long and is growing well.It is odd shaped though, along with a couple of others.It is about an inch greater in diameter at the blosson end than at the stem end and the stem end doesn't look as "filled out".I have another one that looks the opposite; it appears larger on the stem end than on the blosson end.My question then is should I absolutely strive for a melon with even growth from front to back or might I do just as well with one having an odd shape to start out?

6/23/2008 5:40:55 PM

Rochester, Minnesota

I think you can get a pair shaped melon early on even if you get full pollination. I normally let all the early pollinated melons grow to at least a couple of pounds before I make a decision. Sometimes even allowing them to grow over 10 pounds each. Be patient.

It's a bad day when I have to choose and just lop one of them off. It can be quite emotional for me.

6/24/2008 11:06:55 AM

Bowdon, GA

Seems like melons a little fatter on the blossom end grow better than the opposite. The ones with small blossom ends don't get very long.

6/24/2008 4:30:01 PM

Mississippi

I have a fat blossom end melon on a vine I have babied. It is probably 8-10# and is my biggest fastest grower. This is my first year and I need some seed, so I am going to keep it. The other 5 fruit on the plant are just sitting there. I think I will cull them.

6/24/2008 9:00:23 PM