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Nebraska

what causes it?too much Water?I've had a good season until now!it's hot here in nebraska 100-115 heat index90% humidity!

8/10/2010 12:42:22 PM

sevierville, Tn

How big was it when it went bad ? Are they carolina cross type ?

8/10/2010 2:13:56 PM

Bowdon, GA

If there are small probablly blossom end rot. Check out a post a few back "its happening again"

8/10/2010 9:50:18 PM

Nebraska

yes they carolina cross's they get about 12"+ end starts rotting out! i have one that is about 25 inches long 3wks old one side of the blossom end is expanding larger than the other!I think im going to loose it?

8/12/2010 12:34:08 AM

Nebraska

can rotating a melon help equalize this problem?

8/12/2010 12:37:46 AM

Deep South, USA

Sounds like Blossom End Rot. If so, it's caused by a calcium deficiency in the developing fruit. It affects other types of fruit as well. It doesn't necessarily mean the soil lacks calcium. It could mean a problem with plant's ability to transfer calcium to the fruit. Too little or too much water can cause this problem.

BER can be really bad. Last year it almost completely wiped out my patch. I'm seeing it happen again this year, it has me very concerned. I had in mind trying a calcium foliar spray, but I'm not sure it would do any good. Also, calcium sprays can injure a plant if used too much or too often.

As to the 25" melon, is the blossom end either shriveling and/or turning black?

8/12/2010 11:32:07 AM

sevierville, Tn

If they don't get pollinated well, that can cause an end to go bad. at 25" , that should be ok. If not, maybe you need some calcium in your soil. Got a picture ?

8/12/2010 1:21:01 PM

Garner, NC

I don't know if this has anything to do with it, but could the heat be the culprit. I have not had any problem with BER until lately. As a few vines are still growing, and the main melons picked I haven't been culling the new melons. I have noticed that many are turning black on the blossom ends.

8/12/2010 2:13:39 PM

Deep South, USA

I've never heard before that poor pollination could be a problem, but I was wondering about it. My last melon that end rotted had an undeveloped blossom end, so that could certainly be happening here. I've mostly let bumblebees pollinate the crop so far.

The heat here has been downright oppressive on some days. I think it's aging the plant quicker. Either or both could very well be contributing.

8/12/2010 2:20:43 PM

Bowdon, GA

Just from personal experience. If the blossom end is swelled a little and the stem end is smaller, it will often fill out over the coarse of a season and can still make a nice melon, if it is not to deformed. However if the blossom end is shrunken and the stem end is bigger cull it it won't fill out well. I've never got one much over 150 shaped like that. These types are the ones that seem to be the most suceptible to blossom end rot too. Going back to what Chris and Todd said Heat=bad pollination= bad shape. Throw in uneven soil moisture or low calcium = bad time of year to try to set one. But don't worry about the bigger blossom end if it is a little bigger.

8/12/2010 4:51:18 PM