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Western NY

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/07/25/us/25hopeheat.htm

7/28/2010 8:51:46 AM

Rochester, Minnesota

I hope I am one of those growers that Mr. Bright is worried about this year. We definitely have been favored for the right amount of heat and moisture.

7/28/2010 1:28:04 PM

sevierville, Tn

I have heard its good growing up north...like MI ! Good writeup.

7/28/2010 1:59:57 PM

Bowdon, GA

Ah, now I know why we haven't heard from MMM.LOL Interesting article. I figure since it has been in the upper 90's since early June here, the best time to grow them is at night. The melon plants are the only thing that didn't get fried in my garden. Canteloupe and gourd plants are nearly gone. I'm glad you are getting some good weather this year I know last year was ruff up there.

7/28/2010 5:12:32 PM

South Arkansas

The first photo had old pea vines and old lima bean plants and me. The scorched ground photo was a clump of dead tilled up grass at the edge of the just tilled snap bean plot. There are no actual quotes in the article. I am always respectful toward any competitors when dealing with the media. Many of my main competitors are also my customers. Hopefully the main article that comes out the second week of August states that the weather this year is watermelon weather. It is not good weather for people but the watermelons are loving it.

7/29/2010 1:58:26 PM

Bowdon, GA

Thats understandable. The newspaper often writes what ever sounds like a good story no matter what they actually here. Hope you doing well this year Mr. Bright. Do you think they do better in lower 90s or upper 90s?

7/29/2010 3:17:13 PM

Western NY

I've done enough interviews for the pumpkin stuff that I'm quite skeptical of most anything I read. Hope you end up with a good crop down there. If our warm weather continues up here, it might just trick these melons into thinking they're living a lot farther south and really pack on the weight.

7/29/2010 3:34:35 PM

South Arkansas

For me, the prettiest watermelons set after a front when the weather cools for a few days. My best melons have been in years when the temperature stays under 100 here. I tend to think they do better in the low 90's but they still thrive in the upper 90's. They are a hot weather crop.

7/29/2010 5:10:12 PM

Rochester, Minnesota

I think that humidity is a serious factor in keeping moisture in the ground and the leaves from stressing. Interesting comment Mr. Bright on setting of females after a front. I hadn't thought about it.

7/29/2010 5:28:13 PM

Bowdon, GA

I had some trouble setting fruit earlier in the year because we had July temps in June. Got some good sets by placing a bottle of frozen water under the box when I pollinated, must have changed the temp just enough. Seems they do set better melons if it cools off some. I have had more burned leaves this year, but pruning and re-routing new runners covered them up nicely.

7/29/2010 10:59:53 PM