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formerly RGG

I just did the OOT weight estimate on my melon.It was only 49 pounds.I thought it was heavier than that.

I have been thinking a lot about the shape and weight of the melon and what I could have been doing wrong in my pursuits of helping it grow.

Well, I kind of had the thought that making the vine as large as possible would make tht melon as big as possible.Therefore I have continued to feed it a high notrogen fertilizer. I now think that perhaps way too much of the vines output has been going into new vegative growth at the expense of the melon.

Starting today I have switched my plant to a much lower nitrogen diet. I am now useing Scotts 10-30-20 Blossom Booster.Is there still hope for this melon to get big?

7/10/2008 8:49:03 PM

Bowdon, GA

Hey Tennessee I've been using Ferti-loom 9-59-8 foliar feeding, 5-10-5 granuler and side dressings of manure tea. It seems to work well. I ussually start as soon as male blooms appear. I think you be alright just keep the phosphorus high. Oh and be careful not to get manure from pastures that have used herbicides. Good Luck

7/11/2008 8:59:43 AM

Rochester, Minnesota

When in fruiting times, I switch to 5-50-17 myself. I only use high N when growing plant. Like Holloway, I also use Manure tea side dressings. I use rabbit manure for that since it's directly usable and easily breaks down. Also stinks, just for the record.

7/11/2008 9:09:16 AM

formerly RGG

I found some 12-55-6 at the store today and have switched to it. Too late to correct what could have been.Who knows though; I may still get a fair size out of it.

So would you guys mind telling me where you puchase your 9-59-8 [Holloway] or your 5-50-17 [Melon Man] fertilizers?

7/11/2008 10:18:19 PM

Bowdon, GA

I got mine at the local feed store I'm not sure you might find it on-line

7/12/2008 10:07:47 PM

formerly RGG

Thanks Holloway

7/12/2008 10:14:27 PM

Rochester, Minnesota

This is where I buy Plant Marvel 5-50-17 fertilizer. Great stuff for building solid fruit.
Discount Garden Supply (http://www.discountgarden.com/)

7/21/2008 4:33:28 PM

Rochester, MN

Sorry, have to disagree a bit... ;-)
Don't forget about the organics! I think they are more important than the chemicals. I grew a 195 lber last year on mainly no chemicals(official) after being stopped on Aug 18th due to 12" of rain...got maybe 1-2 more pounds. Anyways, my point...keep up with the compost/manure teas and natural items (Fish, Seaweed, BioGrow Endo, BioGrow Aqua, etc.).
These are used by pumpkin growers...but I like the natural part of them...
http://www.hollandsgiants.com/hollands2007Rev2.pdf

7/22/2008 12:28:39 AM