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Hampstead, NC 28443

I am a basically a rookie at this and a new member to the GWG. I have gathered from many posts that the key to a large melon is growing longer. It has been suggested that this is a seed thing, but I also see that there are suggestions that this is growing technique as well. What is the technique?

12/13/2011 1:45:36 PM

formerly RGG

First of all you need to keep your melon high and dry. Contact with the soil is just inviting problems. Many huge melons have been lost due to premature rotting. Two by fours work great. Also you will want to put a shade tent over your melon to protect it from the sunburn these huge watermelons will nearly always get if left unprotected. You need healthy and balanced soil that has plenty of well composted organic matter. That will promote healthy microbial activity which will both promote healthy root growth and retard growth of harmful micro-organisms. And you need to stick to a complete spray schedule which will both fend off insect attacks and foliar diseases such as anthracnose and powdery mildew. And one additional thing I have found to stimulate good plant growth is the foliar application of soluble kelp powder which contains a hormonal growth stimulant.Get yourself a early start and help your plants early growth by starting indoors or in a greenhouse if possible.

12/13/2011 3:04:47 PM

formerly RGG

HID lights are awesome. Once your plant is in the ground use a cold frame if possible to help keep it warm and consider the use of heating cables to warm your soil until the average temperature is plenty warm. The use of black plastic will also help warm the soil but should be removed after the temps have warmed up because the soil needs to breathe and be watered properly which the plastic will not allow for. Use a good landscape cloth for weed control and make small holes or slits in it at key places to allow for vine rooting. Do not cover your vines with soil however as this may cause them to rot. And control vine size as a large out of control vine will almost always grow a smaller melon than a vine that is kept down to a reasonable size. Plan on sitting a melon early and going to a late weigh-off. Of course if your vine dies and the melon stops growing then you will have to change to an earlier weigh-off.I realize this is more information than you requested but I hope it helps you a little. The main keys are start early, keep your melon protected from the sun and the ground, have great soil and stick to a good spray program.Also please consider a soil test as you cannot grow a prize winning melon if your soil is out of balance. "The secret is in the soil". Grow 'em big !

12/13/2011 3:04:56 PM

Muddy Waters

I think its mostly in the seed scott,I would say water & feed consistently in Sept.Any radical changes temps,fertz,water,could stop her in her tracks.

12/13/2011 5:57:33 PM

Watervalley Ms

I used 3/4 plywood for shade this year it helped the melon to stay cool. Balanced feeding. I think pruneing. This can help the melon grow longer.

12/13/2011 7:24:42 PM

formerly RGG

My opinion is this. Perhaps the seed has a lot to do with it. That said, if the vines, roots and melon are not properly cared for you will not be able to grow your melon for the length of time required to reach it's full potential.

12/13/2011 10:55:38 PM

Linden, Mi.,

Photosynthesis
If you can match Mother Nature, day light (in length of day),you would not have any problems but for keeping the plant healthy. Mother Nature has her ways with any plant, all we can do is try to add to her ideas. GOOD LUCK ! But remember you can't _____ with Mother Nature. Planting early (if you have the weather) will help, but count your days (from start to weigh off).

And to all a "MERRY CHRISTMAS"

Watch out for that 234 next year.

12/14/2011 9:31:12 AM

Muddy Waters

Yes,mother nature has a way of maturing fruit early.Thats why in the Upper peninsula they grow the same stuff in a shorter season.The days getting shorter the plants & fruit accelerate into maturity.We have often thought of using lights to fool the plant into long term growth.Has anybody tried this??

12/14/2011 1:24:18 PM

Waynesboro, Virginia

Handy...I know Dr. Bob Liggett uses grow lights in the early autumn to try and defray the ripening sequence in his pumpkin patch.There's some sort of a trigger involved in the ripening process when the daylight shortens.I'm not sure you can artificially create enough lumens to fool the trigger.Maybe doctor Bob can answer this better. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SAUrx0pIrd0

12/14/2011 6:49:47 PM

Bowdon, GA

I think its methods first, and a little climate factor.

12/16/2011 12:19:48 AM

Muddy Waters

What methods do you think work best Jake??

12/16/2011 7:14:28 AM

Bowdon, GA

I use to think it was just to hot to grow one more than 60 days here, but I think they were just running out of stem. Ussually mine were done by day 60 this year I changed my late season ferts and kept the plants much more healthy. When I picked it at 65 days it was still growing as well as they did the year before at day 45. I do think a hot and humid climate doesn't help anything but plant care can go a long ways in helping. I have planted the same seeds as You, Bill, Chris and Marvin, but never get near 90 days. I may be wrong but I think it has more to do with you guys treating them right than the seed.

12/16/2011 11:30:08 PM

formerly RGG

Jake, I do not think that helps seed sales any but I agree with you. I believe under favorable conditions any of these plants can be kept healthy for a long time.

12/17/2011 9:37:06 AM

France

I don't know but here my vegts grow a long time right to the end of october most of my vegts are still growing. I use only organic fertilizers, effects are not as quick as chemicals ferts but last a long time. Pumpkins, cantaloupe, watermelon, corn, long gourd, tomatoe, egg plant, sweet pepper ... are still growing late october and even november this year. I don't get a quick growth but slow and steady growth. Plants are healthy up to the end. Maybe the climate too ?

12/17/2011 2:54:15 PM

formerly RGG

You make a good point Mehdi.My 204.5 this year was a 90 day melon though and since my soil was so out of balance I had to use soluble fertilize (Peters 20-20-20 and blossom booster)to keep it going.I do agree that organic fertilizers are probably best for long plant life. I think most growers agree that good weather or a greenhouse will be a key in setting the next world record watermelon. I believe we are going to see a 300 + pound melon grown in 2012.

12/17/2011 7:44:31 PM

Muddy Waters

I'm not sure Jake why yours quit early.Just guessing here,Do you fertilize much?I think a person can slow them down with to much fertz,maybe even stop them in there tracks.

12/17/2011 8:04:27 PM

Bowdon, GA

Well I think I had it right this year I just Made one big mistake and didn't coat the stems with fungicides. They were still growing good when I lost the life line. Guess I'll fix that and see what else tares up next year LOL.

12/18/2011 11:17:06 PM

Muddy Waters

soil drenchs might help

12/24/2011 8:19:15 AM