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Garner, NC

http://www.bigpumpkins.com/Diary/DiaryViewOne.asp?eid=143217

My only cantaloupe is really starting to put on some weight, but with a cost. Noticed yesterday the stem split, and wondered what I can do. Not sure if I can clean with clorox solution, dry it out and apply captan, or is it just to late. Plus not even sure where to get captan, just heard all the punkin people talking about it.

Thanks Todd

8/17/2010 9:47:19 AM

Western NY

Just keep it dry. As long as it doesn't get wet or mushy, you may not need to add anything to it.

8/17/2010 10:09:52 AM

Pataskala,OH

Can you eat the cantaloupe? Do they taste good?

8/17/2010 11:03:33 AM

Trinity River Bottom

todd mine did the same thing i didn't do anything to it. cantaloupe never missed a beat . you can almost see a day to day weight gain on them . i wouldn't change anything your doing . just guessing how many days old?

8/17/2010 11:05:33 AM

Trinity River Bottom

nic we ate my 45.2 and it was great tasting

8/17/2010 11:06:24 AM

Corryton, TN

Can't see where it would hurt to put on captan but I've never noticed a split before in a young fruit. Irregular watering can cause problems just like with pumpkins.

8/17/2010 11:16:43 AM

Garner, NC

Dave, I bet your right with the watering. It doesn't get anywhere the attention the melons get and lacks TLC. If I start to water more regulary will the split stay the same or is it just going to get worse?

Thanks guy's, I'll keep her dry and apply captan and give a little TLC.

8/17/2010 11:40:32 AM

Garner, NC

Kirk, I have no clue how old it is. I planted a 3 leaf plant July 1st, and do little to nothing to it. Water here and there and stump drench 0-0-1 on it about once a week.

8/17/2010 11:49:46 AM

Trinity River Bottom

todd i would not increase water. in fact i would cut back some . just maybe on a better schedule

8/17/2010 11:52:00 AM

sevierville, Tn

Doesn't look too bad. Uneven growth will cause splits....caused by uneven watering. Keep it dry. How long does it have to grow ?

8/17/2010 1:22:28 PM

Garner, NC

SMP, I have no clue of the age or really how long these things will grow. Just growing it for fun.

8/17/2010 1:36:20 PM

Trinity River Bottom

my 45lb was 46 days and totally ripe

8/17/2010 1:52:59 PM

Corryton, TN

Most of the fatal splits I've seen occur at the blossom end. Typically the stem end is fairly thick. I have seen hundreds of stems (commercial melons) that will ooze around the entire stem after a heavy rain the last week before ripening especially if watering has not been done prior. Looking at your diary and dates I think you still have some time to go. So far I'm seeing these melons take from 88-100 days from seed planting. It's your decision, do you want to push it, or are you content with a big one. Water and fert accordingly.

8/17/2010 1:54:48 PM

sevierville, Tn

Well I think nature will take care of the watering, we are supose to get Alot !

8/17/2010 2:18:12 PM

Bowdon, GA

Its not a bad split. It is very common with older fruit. With the younger one just keep an eye on it. It may heel it's self. If it starts to get any rot clean it and put a little captan on it. Becareful with the watering. Like Dave said they will split wide open at the blossom just like a pumpkin. Year before last I split all of mine. Did you ever check the growth rate?

8/17/2010 11:50:26 PM

Garner, NC

Holloway, during the past 3 days, I have neen measuring to gauge weight gains. It's gaining about a inch per day, on girth and CC. I think yesterday it was 38"cc and 28" girth. Also looked up that the seeds were planted on june 27th. Still not sure how to measure for weight, or which chart to use.

8/18/2010 9:38:13 AM

Trinity River Bottom

todd jake told me to use the pumpkin chart . he said it was real close . the watermelon chart will give you a higher weight than the fruit will actually weigh. i'm assuming because of the seed cavity on the cantaloupe . compared to the full melons

8/18/2010 9:50:03 AM

Corryton, TN

Use the pumpkin chart. All mine have been lighter than chart but its somewhat close.

8/18/2010 11:07:22 AM

Bowdon, GA

Most of mine have been fairly close, but just like melons some are light some are heavy.

8/19/2010 12:26:11 AM