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Abilene, Texas

I just read an paper, http://www.bigpumpkins.com/Attachments/How_To_Grow_Giant_Watermelon.pdf, that said you need to pollinate from another plant. If this is the case, I am in trouble. I only have 1 plants b/c I have 3 giant pumpkin plants taking up most of my space.

Would it be possible to pollinate the female on my plant with a male from a neighbor's watermelon plant of a different cultivar (non Carolina Cross)? I know I won't be able to save the seeds but will it at least get me a melon this year if indeed the plants are self sterile? Thanks so much!

6/9/2010 12:40:02 PM

sevierville, Tn

They will self polinate just fine. At least mine has.
It may be better to cross, but my 1st year i had only one, my 213. The seeds then grew a 243, so i know that selfed works.

6/9/2010 2:01:35 PM

Abilene, Texas

Thanks for that reassurance. I'm pretty sure some of the seeds I saw for sale in the spring were selfed also, but wasn't sure.

6/9/2010 3:39:47 PM

formerly RGG

The one I have growing on my 207 is a self pollination and it is growing just fine. Some growers do assert it to be more difficult to self pollinate a Carolina Cross. Give it a try & you may find that it does OK.

6/9/2010 7:42:16 PM

Rochester, Minnesota

What I said is that the plants tend to be self sterile. I have had a lot of problems pollinating within the same plant, and a much easier time pollinating between plants. It might have just been the genetics I was working with, but I offered it up as a tip anyway.

6/10/2010 3:57:23 PM

formerly RGG

I'm sure you exactly right James and the pollination on my 207 may actually be imperfect as it has a odd shape about it.

6/10/2010 8:28:28 PM