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Bowdon, GA

I pollinated the first female this morning. 291 Kent X 268 Bright. Got lucky it open on the weekend. Was wondering what some of you do if they open while your at work. Its hard for me to get them unless they open on the weekend. Would it still take if I opened the flower before I left or does it need to open on its own?

6/12/2011 11:32:15 AM

Muddy Waters

it needs to open on its own,you may be able to bag it & pollinate when you get home from work if not to hot out!Im not sure when the window closes on melons.on kins it closes in the mid to high 70s.maybe you could shade that area of plant till you get home.or have a family member pollinate for you!My wife is totally trained in pollinating!! lol

6/12/2011 1:15:31 PM

Hamilton Nj

the way my 291 is going ill have to polinate in july mid july holy crap!!! what to do i drenched in kelp powder today hope it pics up !!! i would put a cup over it and leave work early,say u have heat or sun stroke lol hope it works out for you pizza

6/12/2011 8:15:54 PM

formerly RGG

Pizza,kelp is a lot more effective when it is applied to the leaves. Are you foliar feeding it also? If not you may want to give it a try.

6/12/2011 9:25:45 PM

Hamilton Nj

i sprayed the whole plant with a garden sprayer ,covered the whole thing and soaked around the stump !!! while the late day sun was on it everything dried up good!!!

6/12/2011 9:54:59 PM

Hamilton Nj

im going to start useing seaweed and kelp this week any other fertilizers that are good for melons ??

6/12/2011 9:55:58 PM

formerly RGG

I just did my first pollination this morning. I crossed my 211 Boyette by my 113 Kent between 5' & 6' out.

6/13/2011 9:48:51 AM

formerly RGG

Pizza,fish emulsion is excellent if you don't get the smell too strong and cause unwanted animals to come into your patch & dig around looking for something good to eat. It is high in usable nitrogen and helps speed up plant growth. And of course there are the excellent non organic plant foods such as Miracle Grow.Careful if you foliar spray the fish fertilizer as it sometimes causes clogs.

6/13/2011 9:56:06 AM

Trinity River Bottom

I have enough trouble with varmints ... I'm sure not adding an attractant to my garden..lol

6/13/2011 10:16:52 AM

formerly RGG

It seems to be working well for me so far MHMM. There are a lot of opinions about using fish emulsions. The first time I used it this spring, a neighbors dog started digging around and messed up a couple of plants. I have continued to use it though and I am very happy with the results I have been seeing and have had no further problems with animals messing up my patch so far.

6/13/2011 10:38:21 AM

formerly RGG

Fish has been looked on as a excellent fertilizer for many years. My moms dad swore by it and I remember some American Indians used fish to help grow their crops. If it had been that big a problem for them they would not have been using it. Well, it would suit me if I were the only melon grower who used fish emulsion as I would feel I had an advantage over everyone else.

6/13/2011 10:42:36 AM

Trinity River Bottom

Just trying to see a little humor for a hard growing year in Texas..lol BTW it aint over yet Smack Daddy!!

6/13/2011 11:09:59 AM

formerly RGG

I am sorry you are having a tough year MHMM. I am glad you are still looking forward to a good outcome though. I feel kind of the same way myself as I have encountered a lot of problems; but still feel I am in a good position to have some very respectable results in a few months. I hope I get to meet you at a weighoff in the fall.

6/13/2011 12:43:33 PM

sevierville, Tn

I tried the fish years ago, dogs dug stuff up, so never again here. I'm sure its good stuff, i just can't use it.

Kirk, I don't know whats worse, the heat in your soil or your legs ! LOL

6/13/2011 4:01:02 PM

Trinity River Bottom

I'm trying to get that pic removed looks like i'm dying !!!! Working in the garden and yard all day ..sunburn, dirt, and flip flops that leave color on my feet ...Looks like i need to be in the hospital!!!!lol

6/13/2011 4:56:33 PM

Garner, NC

Those legs remind me of John Candy in Summer Rental!

6/13/2011 6:04:14 PM

sevierville, Tn

Nope, ya got to leave the pict up ! Ken don't take it down !

6/13/2011 10:35:48 PM

Muddy Waters

You look fine Kirk,Just Keep it real!!

6/13/2011 11:19:31 PM

Muddy Waters

Thats Right Captain Smack! Taint over till its Over!!When the tailgate drops The bull#h*#ers FLOP!!!!lol

6/13/2011 11:23:45 PM

Bowdon, GA

I must have missed it! Mark your startin to sound like a coon huntin window decal LOL Wonder if I could get a piss on squash bugs decal.

6/14/2011 11:34:35 PM

Hamilton Nj

im gonna use it worked great on my pumpkin last year and my tomatos love it,not too many anmials hear just squirls and chipmunks lol i bought a quart of fish emolshin today and have a pound of kelp powder to mix with it pizza

6/14/2011 11:52:16 PM