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Frankfort Ohio

when is it to late to get a plant in the ground for a fall weighoff in ohio

5/11/2011 11:41:51 PM

formerly RGG

That depends on a lot of factors. I think the best growers probably already have nice plants in the ground. Do you want to win or just participate? I hope you already have some nice size plants in pots to set in the ground. These melons can grow for over 100 days post pollination and you don't want to set a melon on a small vine. I think the best answer is that it isn't too late but that point in time is rapidly approaching. So get them planted today or ASAP. Good luck Jed.

5/12/2011 8:11:08 AM

Grimsley,TN

I had all my plants going well and then left them outside the other day when it was cold. All but the 291 wilted. I have another batch in the incubator so you're not alone Jed. Our big weighoff here is in October, so I'm not worried. I think you'll be in good shape. Best wishes on your growing season.

5/12/2011 9:50:16 AM

SW Ohio

Tennessee Dreamer writes:
I think the best growers probably already have nice plants in the ground. Do you want to win or just participate?

Wow. Just wow.

5/12/2011 10:16:55 AM

Frankfort Oh

Jed you can plant up till the first of JUNE AND STILL GET ONE BEFORE OUR WEIGH OFF-PLENTY OF TIME-me and tony still have nothing in the ground ,but we will force plants in the ground with huts no later then this week end

5/12/2011 10:33:03 AM

formerly RGG

I hope you meant that in a god way Barbeetoo. I certainly wasn't trying to offend anyone. I just think any serious growers need to get started in a very timely manner if they wish to compete with world class growers.

5/12/2011 11:26:28 AM

formerly RGG

My youngest plants are only about a week post germination due to grower stupidity and some terrible weather. I think they will still have time to grow giant melons but I feel I may be pushing the limit to get the biggest melons possible. I think a grower could start any time in the next few weeks and still come up with some respectable melons for October weighoffs.

5/12/2011 11:33:01 AM

Corbin, KY

I hear turkey manure will speed them up.

5/12/2011 11:48:09 AM

formerly RGG

OK Tim, sounds good, but I sent all my turkeys up to help Mark out with the beatles problem he is about to have. I saw them driving his way in orange Volkswagens.

5/12/2011 12:07:38 PM

formerly RGG

Hey John, I can help you out with some plants if you like. Email or call me if you want to talk about it.

5/12/2011 12:26:56 PM

SW Ohio

I did not mean it in a good way Tennessee Dreamer.
Sometimes the best laid plans can go awry when Mother Nature decides not to cooperate. To insinuate that a grower who does not have their plants in the ground and already of a big size is less serious, less of a grower, or less than world class is offensive to many growers who are experiencing record rainfalls, record cold weather, or both.

5/12/2011 6:29:21 PM

formerly RGG

Everyone has difficulties. I have made a lot of mistakes myself this year. I see nothing wrong with anyone pointing them out. I certainly did not insinuate anything about Jed being less of a grower for not being as far along as I thought he ought to be.Jed may be the nicest guy and may become one of the best growers in the world. I do believe those growers who really have their act together already have some pretty nice plants growing. If that offends you I am sorry. And if you were offended by me Jed, I apologize.And Jed said nothing about any plans gone wrong or Mother Nature not cooperating.There are very few of us who are truly world class as growers. I don't see what fun there would be in the sport if we were all equal. And as far as rainfall and record cold go, Jed never mentioned them and I have no idea if they were a problem for him. For myself,I have suffered severe problems with cold,wet and windy weather and then a severe hail storm.One of the other growers told me that lucky people are lucky because they know how to head off problems. I should have started later. I should have kept my plants inside more and protected them better once they were set out. And I should have had the foresight to have covered them up before the hail storm.Does all this make me a lesser grower? I think the answer is yes. But I learn from my mistakes and seldom make them twice. And I still expect to have a great year.As I hope you also do Barbeetoo.

5/12/2011 9:18:37 PM

Muddy Waters

I learned to add sulfur in the fall or keep it the hell away from the small plants!!it cost me 1 week of growth!But dont count me out in till the Fat lady Sings lol!!

5/12/2011 10:13:30 PM

formerly RGG

Mark, I think we could practice this sport of growing Carolina Cross melons for decades and still have a lot to learn. I think that is part of the fun!

5/12/2011 10:25:10 PM

Muddy Waters

Some growers just have more time on there hands to take care of plants,&some have kids in baseball & dance classes & what have you.I am blessed with a Job I can be home when I need to be.I only have 1 child at home& shes not real Social,so no sports other than BOYS!!lol.But some have a gift at making good decisions,seedlines,etc,culling,amendments a little to much can cause issues,If it comes down to luck & time spent in patch,I will have you all smoked! I think theres more to it than that we can put to much in it & make bad decisions.I need to slow down& let the soil & seeds do there Job!I hope you have a Great year TD

5/13/2011 6:26:57 AM

formerly RGG

Mark, I think you may be number 2 this year as far as time spent in the patch. I have the rest of the year off if I need it, to recover from my cancer treatment. I am recently divorced and have no family around me. I also have no kins to look after like you do. The result is I am in the patch for several hours almost every morning and again in the evening.Being alone is why I decided I will be able to care for so many plants. If a lot of plants is better than a few then I at least have that in my favor.Who knows for sure who is spending the most time in the patch,but I am now spending an extreme amount of time in mine. Does my time spent equal better results? We shall see. :-)

5/13/2011 7:37:08 AM

formerly RGG

Oh, and I hope you have a great year too Mark.

5/13/2011 7:37:43 AM

formerly RGG

Hey Jed,I am just wondering, did I really offend you? And again you have my apologies if I did.Sometimes I "shoot from the hip" and say whatever comes to mind without thinking how that might affect the feelings of the person I am talking to.Maybe it's the way I was raised. My dad used to hurt my feelings all the time. No thick skin here though as my own feelings get hurt easily sometimes.

5/13/2011 7:44:10 AM

formerly RGG

Anyway Mark, I figure it's gonna cost you about an extra hour a day as soon as those big orange Volkswagen beatles pull into your driveway. :-)

5/13/2011 7:47:46 AM

sevierville, Tn

I planted half on the 7th, the other half get planted this saturday(weather permitting) So i would think you have time unless its a early weigh off.

5/13/2011 2:51:25 PM

President - GPC

Tennessee Dreamer.....You Grow BIG...SoundZ quite similar....last year I had all summer to play in the patch as I was going thru C word treatment....GOOD LUCK to you on your survival recovery....INDEED.....

GrowZem BIG...and have fun@!

5/17/2011 1:48:54 PM

formerly RGG

ThankZ WiZ.

5/17/2011 2:16:37 PM