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Minnesota

I decided to start another thread instead of going so far back. Holloway, i am still looking for the blue and the black rind. I think it is important we dont let the fruit get away. I would like any blue/black seeds i can find. I am adding a spot with top soil and growing space for these blue/blacks only and get that line going again. I truely believe that in a short few years, i can have them competeting with the carolina. Especially breeding.

the limited info one these is still good info and i think we should try to preserve this melon and not let it get away.

thanks for all the input on the other thread and look forward to more on this one.

3/2/2011 2:53:26 PM

Rochester, Minnesota

I think Dean, that the only way you can get them to compete with the CC is by getting lots of people to grow them. I grew them one year, and still have seeds from that, but I am not convinced it's the best horse to ride, so to speak. The plant structure didn't look significantly different from the CC, so I don't see it any more capable to produce giants than what we are using.

Furthermore, there doesn't seem to be any fundamental flaw in the CC seeds that I can see, such as pumpkins have with splitting that has to be allowed for.

I like the idea of the seed stock being kept alive. I also wonder what would happen if you crossed the two.

3/2/2011 3:15:18 PM

Minnesota

Hi James, I hear what you are saying, it is very much all true. One of the things i was looking at was the dimensions of the carolina and i notice that the larger they are getting, the more room inside. I think you can easily fit another 40lbs of melon inside the hollowed out room inside these. At least from the ones that i have opened up. I think the blue rind is completly solid and that is i guess what im after. kinda like putting the 898 knauss into the pumpkins to increase wall thickness. First, i would like to grow them by themselves and see what they are all about, if not to at least preserve the melon that it is, even if it is not competition worthy.

Think about this, with the shape that these are, if you increase the size by only 25%, you will double the weight and that would put the melon over 320lbs. Who wouldnt want to cross a 300lb black rind with a 300lb cc?? I think it might have some promise in the distant future but if it is going to happen, i need to get started now. Maybe its just been too long a winter............spring fever is setting in heavy.

3/2/2011 4:29:45 PM

sevierville, Tn

If you get the blue/black up to 300 lbs, if may also have a cavity like the CC's.

3/2/2011 4:39:12 PM

Minnesota

very very true Chris. I noticed that in the normal field melons i do. the average melon is about 25 lbs. and when i get one that grows to the 35lb mark, there is a seperation in the middle to some degree

3/2/2011 4:55:33 PM

Watervalley Ms

If you had the Middlebrooks seed, that would be a difernt thing year 1935 195# melon 72in around or beter but seed is lost.I understand about keeping the seed going.

3/2/2011 6:48:42 PM

Watervalley Ms

If you had the Middlebrooks seed, that would be a difernt thing year 1935 195# melon 72in around or beter but seed is lost.I understand about keeping the seed going.

3/2/2011 6:48:47 PM

sevierville, Tn

I'm getting close to that girth, maybe this year i can get it ! I had 2 @ 67 girth & 1 @ 66 girth

3/3/2011 2:31:02 PM

Bowdon, GA

The percent heavy probably comes from the SS measurements. The SS makes up a large percentage of the round shapes measurement. High % SS = heavy, or at least it seems that way to me. I don't know if the fruits are denser or if the shape skews the measurements. I just like em because they a pretty. I think crossing in CC's is the quickest way to makem bigger if you can preserve the color. Send me an email Dean I'll see if I have something close to what your looking for. 1SG has also made some Black Diamond/CC crosses with good results.

3/3/2011 10:31:28 PM

Bowdon, GA

inrock30108@aol.com

3/3/2011 10:31:51 PM

Minnesota

Hi Chris, I cant use your girths, i have to go with what is normal for the rest of us growers........LOL!!! I sent you an email...............THANK YOU!!!!!

3/3/2011 10:45:29 PM

Minnesota

Holloway, i like the type of knowledge you have with the blue/blacks, you seem to have more insight with them than most i have talked with, outside of bigpumpkins. I am sending you an email, i would really like to grow them this summer and just start there. I have to agree, i seen some big ones in some pictures and they look just awsome. Who knows, maybe they wont offer the cc anything by crossing, but at least i will have to opportunity to clean the seed up and go from there.

3/3/2011 10:49:00 PM

Minnesota

melonman, i wish i knew what seed grew the 195 back in 1935, that seems just incredible to me for such an early date. I wonder when the last time was that anyone was ever able to grow the middlebrooks (this is the first i ever heard of this seed)?? I wonder if there was ever a picture of that watermelon anywhere?? I would really like to see what that thing looked like.

3/3/2011 11:10:18 PM

Watervalley Ms

Mistake made the only measurement ive read about is the A.B TURNER melon, 64 in one way 72 in the other way it weighed 160#. The Middlebrooks melon at 195# i think would be biger. You can find the pics in the how to grow giant watermelons by Loyd Bright& maybe on his web site.

3/3/2011 11:49:58 PM

formerly RGG

Chris, did the 291 have a hollow spot inside? If so do you think this is preventable?

3/4/2011 7:55:26 AM

sevierville, Tn

sure did, probally would have been 40 lbs heavier without that hole !

3/4/2011 3:02:53 PM