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Muddy Waters

Its still a WR folks even if we miss the GPC weigh-off its still a WR.You can leave them on the Vine if still growing or weigh them on Labor Day!!You wont win the money,but oh well,the seeds will be priceless,Just saying,But getter certified 12 ways from Sunday!Ive got Alex Guinness on Speed dial. lol

4/20/2011 6:42:07 AM

formerly RGG

I think starting early can be a blessing or a curse or perhaps a bit if both. From the rain, wind and cold we had here last weekend I have lost some of my best genetics. I have lost my 35 Kent and my 231 Mitchell and came very close to losing my 291 Kent. They seem to have developed stem rot.I think of it as watermelon pneumonia.It's still early and I have a lot of good plants for replacements left so I am still expecting to beat Handy out of the big money. :-)

4/20/2011 8:22:09 AM

formerly RGG

Hey, what happens if I hold my big one late as possible and it comes up to only 291 pounds? No prize money and no world record. :-( I am going to have to do some serious thinking. Perhaps I need to grow on a certified scale. :-)

4/20/2011 8:26:26 AM

Marshall, MI

Hey Mr Dreamer
Idont know how you plant your melons.Ido know if you plant
them lower than the garden soil around them agood rain
will wash soil around the stem and it will rot off.
Keep stem dry . Even in pots I water around stem never
on it.

4/20/2011 9:00:56 AM

formerly RGG

Of course you are correct Mr Edwards. I had several of my plants to low in the ground and I am sure that contributed to the death of a few good plants. I have now dug out around the stems a little and the weather is better so I anticipate no further problems along this line.I will also try to keep the stems less in contact with moisture when I water. I don't think it was the rain itself as much as it was the soil holding the dampness around the stem. I think the stems are OK to get a little damp and then dry off. But I think sustained dampness around the base equals huge problems (stem rot).

4/20/2011 9:40:06 AM

Muddy Waters

Het TD what are the ground temps where you are planting??It may be to cold without cables.you need 55 or better for melons.I will transplant next week if soil is up to 55 or more!

4/20/2011 11:37:18 AM

Muddy Waters

Dont set the bar to high TD,Baby steps!!lol

4/20/2011 12:52:29 PM

sevierville, Tn

291 will stil win you prize money Dennis. We have enough weighofs that if you need a few days for the record, there shouldn't be a problem. Dead seedlings win no Weighoffs !

4/20/2011 2:48:12 PM

Bowdon, GA

Something I learned the hard way. After heavy spring rains last year, my seedlings started to damp off. At the base the stems got thin and dark. I saved all but one by drying them out. I replaced one plant. They all looked fine for a while. About 2-3 weeks after polination of fruit the stumps began to foam. Long story short I got about 60 days worth of fruit growth before the stumps were completely gone. The only one with no problems was the replacement. I don't know if the early problems were linked to the rot but it appears so. So, if I have another one try to damp off I'm not going to try to save it. I could be wrong but not taking any chances.

4/20/2011 6:35:12 PM

formerly RGG

Well I hope you are wrong Jake. I don't want to germinate my last 291 seed. The plant seems fine at the moment. If yours died because of early moisture problems then about 1/2 of my patch is not going to make it. I'll have to think about this for a bit. Right now they seem perfectly healthy and I am inclined to let them grow.

4/20/2011 7:29:17 PM

formerly RGG

Mark I just realized I don't have a thermometer for taking ground temps. I think it's about too late to worry about it. I am pretty sure my ground temp is a little warmer than Chris has in the foothills of the mountains. As it is getting warmer my plants are beginning to grow better and about 10 days from now we are past all danger of frost here.And the Knoxville extended forecast has highs in the upper 70's and low 80's with lows no lower than mid 50's. I will get a thermometer for my soil and do a better job next year. I am just thinking I will be OK this year.I know I could have gotten off to a better start though.

4/20/2011 7:38:58 PM

formerly RGG

Chris if Jake is correct, my 291 may die sometime in July. As long as it continues growing and looking healthy I am going to hope for the best and stick with it.I did lose my 35 Kent. I have so many good plants that would like a space to grow in and since I have lots of great genetics remaining; I think I will perhaps give a chance to a couple of lesser known seeds. Sometimes when I notice a healthy looking aggressive plant like your 113 has been I like to see if they might perhaps have that something special.On that note, my 211 Thornton followed by my 255 Mitchell are my best growing plants so far this year.

4/20/2011 7:46:21 PM

formerly RGG

Sorry, I meant to say my 211 Boyette. My Thornton is from a 209 pound melon & that plant remains at the side of the patch so far.

4/20/2011 8:05:41 PM

sevierville, Tn

The 255 Mitchell always seems to grow super plants, at least the ones i'v grown were always the best.

Whats the Thornton from ??

4/21/2011 3:07:33 PM

formerly RGG

The 209 Thornton is a 255 Mitchell by 157 Bright. It hasn't made the main patch so far. The melon I was meaning to mention originally & is in the main garden is my 211 Boyette which is a 219 Edwards by 255 Mitchell. Which one of these sounds better to you Chris? I put the Boyette in because of it's aggressiveness. It has huge cots that remind me of the 113 Kent. OK, after checking the good genetics of the 209 I have pulled a nice looking 120 Bhaskaran plant and replaced it with the 209 Thornton.

4/21/2011 8:13:16 PM

sevierville, Tn

They both sound good. I know the 211 is a proven seed. I would go with the best plant.

4/22/2011 3:07:00 PM

Bowdon, GA

Mine were pretty obvious. They were at the brink, so maybe yours are fine Dennis. And I have been known to be wrong too LOL

4/22/2011 5:01:30 PM