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Corryton, TN

Has anyone had one on a main fruit that was being for competition? If so what kind of weight gains were you getting.

3/6/2011 9:27:39 AM

formerly RGG

Dave, I have heard of watermelons growing so fast they blow up like some of the pumpkins do. I have never seen it myself though. I am looking forward to the day I blow one up. This sounds counter productive, but it will let me know I have figured out how to push them to their limits. And after I have blown up a melon from too rapid growth, then I can work on figuring out how to grow this fast without blowing up a good melon.

3/6/2011 10:03:28 AM

Linden, Mi.,

Watermelons-will blow "UP"
I lost two last year, I pushed them to much to long
One split in half, I mean all the way around, it weighed 168. I didn't set a watermelon tell late, so I tried to catch up. Leason learned. Education is expensive !!!!!!

3/6/2011 1:24:59 PM

sevierville, Tn

What did you do to split it Darrel ? I have heard that too much rain/water will split one. 2 growers have told me that will split them. Is that what happened?

3/6/2011 2:13:05 PM

Linden, Mi.,

Yes rain, and I watered to much at same time
I have lost pumpkins the same way
I wish we could understand Mother nature-like if I knew it was going to rain so much, I would not water that day

3/6/2011 2:26:40 PM

sevierville, Tn

ok, thats the way you split them, lot & lots of water !

3/6/2011 2:45:08 PM

Bowdon, GA

Lucky, I've never had it happen here except on lopes. Although every year brings about "firsts". I don't think my lopes were growing any faster just got watered unevenly. How fast were your melons growing when it happened?

3/6/2011 2:48:33 PM

Owensboro, Ky.

Several years ago, I pruned several (almost all) secondary, and awl tertiary vines on a AG plant, that had a nice pkn growin on it!!! Did the foliar spray w/ Kelp & Seaweed...Soaked around crown & along vines w/compost Tea!!! Watered well, and got approx 2" of rain over night...the next day, I heard it happen!!! Pkn splittin!!! Was approx 20' away, and actually heard the noise!!! Not a pretty sound, or sight!!! Big enough to put arm inside!!! Be careful, w/ pruning, ferts & water!!! Peace, Wayne

3/6/2011 3:01:56 PM

Linden, Mi.,

The watermelon was growing (at the time I lost it) 1.20" a day, the melon was solid

As for pruning the pumpkin vine,I only prun 1/3 to 1/2 of the plant a day and have a second fruit on to take up the extra water, I keep the extra fruit on tell I get 3 to 4 hundred pounds on the one I plan on keeping

3/6/2011 3:29:25 PM

Linden, Mi.,

"FLASH -- FLASH -- FLASH!!!!!!

I apologize to all-- the watermelon I have been talking about was out of my 168 -- it weighed -- 100 lbs. when I lost it.
@ 66, some day when I grow up or when they stop putting eraser on pencels, I will stop making mistakes

3/6/2011 6:28:56 PM

sevierville, Tn

Thats at 66 days old right ?????
1.20 " what. cir, ee girth ??
Thanks

3/6/2011 8:06:52 PM

Linden, Mi.,

smoky mtn pumpkin
sorry I did not keep any records after I lost it, I do remember it weighed 100 lbs., we weighed it, be for we gave it to the chickens

Better records will be kept this year, with the seeds I am going to plant

3/6/2011 9:19:50 PM

Rochester, Minnesota

I have never had a large melon burst, but I had some culls explode as I was picking them. In this competitive world, I guess I can understand the kind of pressure they are under.

3/7/2011 9:18:58 AM

Trinity River Bottom

I just want mine to almost blow up..

3/7/2011 9:40:53 AM

Linden, Mi.,

Good luck with that !
This year I am working some good genetic. So next year I can grow the "BIG ONE"!!!!!!!!!

Kirt, I hope you get that close and it set records !

3/7/2011 10:58:32 AM

Garner, NC

Last year, after a 8 inch down pour in August, all my moon and stars spilt open, but none of the CC's.

3/7/2011 1:56:58 PM