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formerly RGG

Troubleshooting Tips for Carolina Cross Growers

Problem Possible Solutions

1. No melons develop a.Hand polinate with a brush
( lack of bees ) b.Get a beehive

2. Melons too short
( first melon on vine ) a.Prune off early melons
b.Set melons in warmer weather

3. Long melons odd shaped a. Assure good pollination
(common in long melons) b. Set melons in cooler weather
c. Some will correct shape with time
4.Melons are flat a. Use less nitrogen

5. Sun blister a. Cover melons with vines
b. Use Shade table over melon
6. Leaves develop spots a. Begin spraying with Daconil

7. Rotten spots on bottom a. Keep soil clean under melon
b. Rotate melon a few degrees weekly

10/25/2009 8:58:37 PM

sevierville, Tn

These were all very good, Thanks Dennis .

10/26/2009 2:25:36 PM

Rochester, Minnesota

Remember that Bright grows melons for sale, so it is important for them to rotate the melons to remove a potential bad side. I will stick to the idea of putting boards under the melons to prevent rot.

1. Hand pollinate or they are open pollinated, and potentially partially pollinated.

2. I will need to order up warmer weather at pollination time.

3. Hand pollinate.

4. Agreed. If you use lots of nitrogen, then the melon shell seems to outgrow the center. I recommend 5-50-17 or something like that during fruit growth.

5. Definitely cover the fruit.

6. I try not to use too many chemicals, so I don't know if this works.

7. Lift them up on boards. I have never had a melon rot on boards. I fear rotating them because of breaking up the insides, and potential strain on the stem.

10/27/2009 2:13:16 PM