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formerly RGG

Well some of you may laugh at me and others think I am just wasteing my time. Then there may be some who find a little value in what I have to say here. I have a good melon and it is toward the end of the season. So, I have tried to figure out what I can do to get an extra few pounds of growth out of it. James was helpful in suggesting I go back to a balanced fertilizer; which I have done. My plant is in a shadier spot in my garden, I have had a lot of trouble with anthracnose and also I have caused this plant a lot of grief with over fertilization. So what I have is a fairly used up plant that has been in decline for some time. Here is what I am doing to try to sustain some growth. I have isolated this plant from the others I still have growing.That is I pulled fingers from other plants out of this ones growing area to give it all the room it wants to take up for itself.I have started removing the dead and dieing leaves.This is to allow light into the vine where dead leaves were blocking it. I have placed white paper under the leaves wherever I can to reflect light back up onto the plant and make it brighter. I have been doing all this in an effort to encourage new growth. And it seems to me to be working. There is a fair amount of new growth & I seem to notice a new finger getting started every day. Also, I pull new unblossomed melon ovules off as soon as I spot them so that they develop as little as possible.I figure the smaller I pull them the more "juice" left for the big melon. So, I am trying to maximize sun and therefore vine growth and remove any new melons before they even have a chance to be fertilized.I will never know what the effect is because there is no control in this experiment.I do think that none of what I am doing can possibly hurt. What I am doing is time consuming and I know some of it isn't possible for those who grow on dirt. Anyway, I hope I have given some food for thought and perhaps helped others toward improved future resu

8/31/2009 9:12:04 PM

Bowdon, GA

Sounds good to me. I have some of the same issues. I have managed some new growth as well. My biggest one tried to shut down on me twice. I just gambled and shocked it a little with some high phospherous. It worked both times it picked back up a little. I have been putting heavy manure tea too. I may be being a little reckless but I don't have much to loose at this point. They are about done anyway. I may switch to the balance fertelizer if it happens again. I do have one getting old about 70 days that remains consistant, so I'm leaving it alone. Sounds like your doing fine. That is going to be a big melon no matter what, just keep it high and dry. Good luck

9/1/2009 12:19:22 AM

sevierville, Tn

Sounds like your doing all you can. I wondered, do they make white plastic that is stable like the black ?

9/1/2009 7:46:53 AM

Corryton, TN

White on black/embossed plastic mulch is available. It comes in 4 and 5 ft widths in roll length of 2400' and 4000'. Other options are blue, green, red, and silver. Some studies show these colored mulches work better for different plants. I'm not quite sold, yet.

9/1/2009 9:58:30 AM

Smithville, Tn

There's something about blue that works, for grapes anyway.
Back in the early spring we set out 50 plants that looked like a twig with a few bare roots. Used these blue grow tubes and now have 20 ft. long vines.

9/1/2009 1:42:11 PM

formerly RGG

That's a good question Chris. I have thought about that too. If you find any please let me know. I think it might be particularly helpful to growers further south who have to deal with ungodly heat.The reflection would help increase light intensity while the ground is kept cooler.

9/1/2009 1:59:25 PM

formerly RGG

Brotherdave, where would I find this for sale please?

9/1/2009 2:00:25 PM

formerly RGG

Mousey, white I what I want. It reflects the full spectrum of light.

9/1/2009 2:01:46 PM

sevierville, Tn

Well, those lengths are a little more then i need. i'll split a roll with you Dennis if we can find some at a reasonable price.

9/1/2009 2:07:06 PM

formerly RGG

That certainly is a very long roll. It might be pricey. I'd be happy to split a rool with you Chris if we can find where to get it and the price isn't out of sight.Also, we just don't want anything that is too thin as it would not be durable.

9/1/2009 3:55:38 PM

Smithville, Tn

You could try nursery supply places. They make a white fabric that is very durable. Green houses and nurseries use it as a cover for plants.

9/1/2009 4:08:13 PM

formerly RGG

Thanks mousey.

9/1/2009 4:22:44 PM

Corryton, TN

Rain-Flo Irrigation in Pa.717-445-3000 has them all. Reddick Fumigant in NC 800-358-8837 has the white on black. I use many thousand feet of black every year, it would be no big deal for me to order a roll in the spring and sell you guys what you want. This could be an interesting experiment.

9/1/2009 5:23:50 PM

Okla

http://www.rainfloirrigation.com/

9/1/2009 6:00:38 PM

Okla

plastic mulch

9/1/2009 6:08:49 PM

formerly RGG

That sounds wonderful brotherdave. Thanks for the offer. I am sure you get a good price if you are ordering it comercially.I think we will be in touch with you.And thanks to you Thomas for the information on the web site.

9/1/2009 7:22:56 PM