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Trinity River Bottom

I would like to hear from growers who had new pb's this year. Looking at diaries and gpc info there are quit a few.. Some of you had major gains. So i would like to hear what kind of gains you had and what you think attributed to your gains this season.

10/14/2011 12:29:35 PM

Trinity River Bottom

I had a 16 pound gain over last year .. Luck played a large part!! The only thing i did different was incorporate a triple 14, 4-5 month fertilizer similar to osmocote into my whole melon growing area..

10/14/2011 12:34:44 PM

Western PA

2nd year grower for melons.

Last year 92 lbs, plant came down with downey in mid June. Fruit only grew for about 30 days or so.

This year I grew 2 plants. I picked the first one labor day weekend, and took it to a party.It weighed 143 on bathroom scale.
I took my other one to the ovgpg weigh off, it weighed 161 pounds.
I believe that is a 70 pound increase from last year. I would say that my plant staying healthy most of this season contributed to my increase this year.

Both of this years were grown from the 193 White 2010, great plants.
Looking forward to next season.

10/14/2011 1:13:25 PM

Trinity River Bottom

What did you do to keep it healthy anything in particular?

10/14/2011 1:49:22 PM

Corryton, TN

For me the number 1 answer is "better weed control."

I did several things different and will make more changes next year. Hope to increase PB by another 86 pounds, but will be more than satisfied with 49.

10/14/2011 6:27:21 PM

Linden, Mi.,

brotherdave
you don't need any more weight
you did well, kicking our butt with 251 LBS. !!!! :o)
BEST OF LUCK ON THAT 49 lbs.
myself I would very much like to see 59 lbs. more. :o)
All the best BrotherDave !

10/14/2011 7:41:14 PM

Muddy Waters

I had a gain of 69.5 lbs,I hope to do that again next year!That would put me at about 330 lbs.LOL I give credit to the Anti Monkey Butt Powder laced with Plant Success Mycorrhizae!The Kohler 1.6 gal. might have contributed also!LOL

10/14/2011 8:24:28 PM

Garner, NC

I went from 211 to 282, so increase of 71 pounds. As to what caused the big gains were a lot of luck. We had a great August(low 90's) and missed a hurricane and tropical storm by a few miles. Weed control was huge and, I know this sounds corny, but listen to your plants and they will tell you when things are not well. Taking daily gains is a sure way to tell when things are off, looking at the leaves, stump, and melon daily to see if anything is off or not right. It came down to a lot more work this year and a ton of luck that will never happen again. Next year we will have a Texas summer for sure.

10/14/2011 9:10:54 PM

formerly RGG

I think you will hit a world record next year Todd.

10/14/2011 10:24:58 PM

Muddy Waters

Thanks TD!lol

10/15/2011 7:31:23 AM

formerly RGG

Now Mark, I never said I think you will not have a record melon also. I wish everyone the best of luck. I still think I can be there competing with the big boys next year. :-)

10/15/2011 9:35:53 AM

Muddy Waters

lol

10/15/2011 11:37:16 AM

Cleveland, Tenn

This year my personel gained 39#'s from 233 to 272. I think the gains came from better soil prep the previous fall, good insect and disease control and a better watering system. I have learned a lot from other growers who were kind enough to share their knowledge. I also made some dumb mistakes this year like leaving the 272 on the vine to long. it had a fist size hole in it when I picked it. Like Todd said you hav to watch your plants. I think luck does play a part, but I also think that the harder you work at it the luckier you get!

10/15/2011 12:31:25 PM

Western PA

Moss Hill,
I really did not do anything different other than I used land scape fabric over a larger area for my 2 plants.

I believe that downey spores are caried in the air, and Ohio had it in early June. So I assume it came into western PA from from Ohio. Just some bad luck last year I guess. I think I started my spray program a week or two earlier this past season, to try to avoid getting it again.

10/15/2011 2:16:06 PM

Ohio

Last year was my first competition year and had 150.5 and 127. This year my top weight was 166lbs. I also grew several 80 to 120 pounders.

10/15/2011 8:28:34 PM

virginia

This was my first year growing big melons. I planted the 291 seed. I had 2 watermelons on that one plant. 1 weighe 209lbs and the other one weighe 169lbs. I might would had did better if i left just one on. The plant stay heathly all summer long.I use 20-20-20 and kelp ounce a week. I stated out useing 10-50=10. I never did spray for bugs. tell u the truth never did see any.,,,,,,greg

10/15/2011 9:07:49 PM

Muddy Waters

Its nice to hear from more people on here, Keep them coming.

10/15/2011 9:07:55 PM

Trinity River Bottom

Nice would like to hear from a few more.

10/17/2011 9:54:37 AM

Ontario

Got my first ever melon weighed this past weekend in Wellington, where the WR pumpkin was weighed....

1st place.....206.5 lbs.... largest in Canada this year.... 4th grower in Canada to join the 200 lb club!! Pic in my diary.

Bryan

10/17/2011 11:24:53 AM

Trinity River Bottom

Nice Bryan !

10/17/2011 11:46:30 AM

virginia

Congrat Bryan. nice melon,,,,,,,,,,,greg

10/17/2011 12:01:33 PM

Sevierville,tn

congrats hugssssssssss on make N 200 club!!!!!

10/17/2011 2:11:38 PM

sevierville, Tn

very nice start Bryan & Greg ! We will be looking for both of you at the top next year !

10/17/2011 2:57:06 PM

formerly RGG

Nice melon Bryan and Greg, congratulations.

10/17/2011 3:28:05 PM

Jamul

Hello Kirk,
My first year PB was 159 on a 45 DAP melon. I had a 150 pound 60 DAP melon on another plant.Both were grown with "organic methods",compost mostly. Whatever credit is due goes mostly to the the seed. Seems pretty easy to grow to around that weight or somewhat bigger here.Added heat and a cover at night, or a different zip code would be required to really compete nationwide. They were not too far short of the state record though, about 10 and 20 pounds respectively to the best of my knowledge.

10/17/2011 3:36:13 PM

Muddy Waters

nice!

10/17/2011 6:39:09 PM

Ontario

Nice Greg...great Rustico...and all the other personal best's this year....and thanks gang!! Really looking to next season already....I'm a converted melon head for sure!!

10/17/2011 6:52:24 PM

Linden, Mi.,

Had a 234 this year

10/17/2011 8:11:41 PM

Muddy Waters

So what was your gain darrel???

10/17/2011 8:42:01 PM

Linden, Mi.,

sore back

10/17/2011 9:10:16 PM

Jamul

Thanks,Bryan,
Nice job with your big watermelon!
What were your average minimum and max temps like? Did you grow in a greenhouse?
Thanks

10/18/2011 1:25:46 AM

Ontario

We have some pretty cool nights up here so I did start the plant in a hoop house and finish it off in a makeshift greenhouse for the last 6 weeks or so...

10/18/2011 8:28:59 AM

Jamul

That's neat, Bryan,
Growing that in Ontario makes it an even a greater accomplishment. Seems like you only had one plant too? Great job.

10/18/2011 10:23:14 AM