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Rochester, Minnesota

Because I suspected drought conditions this year, I only put in four melon plants to keep my water requirements lower. I have two 173 WHITE, one 119.5 WHITE, and one 35 KENT growing. Both the WHITE melons have Kent's genetics crossed into them and the best of my lines, but like many others in the north last year, had a bad growing year so my last year's weights were not overly impressive.

Using the icing of females method, I have the good problem this year in that I was able to pollinate basically all my starts, and get the pollen to fully take in each melon. So pretty much all my starter melons had perfect shape.

Now the problem. I have two melons still on the 35 KENT, and like the rest, they are perfectly shaped, and equally positioned on their respective vines. At this point they are around 22 days old and both approximately 23 inches straight length, and pretty much identical.

I have been waiting for them to be different in some way that I don't like, and then I would nip off the offending one, but it has not been the case and they keep getting larger.

Do I just measure one more time, and nip one, or leave them both on the vine?

Inquiring minds want to now.

7/20/2012 3:22:55 PM

formerly RGG

James, I know you have always been a big advocate of growing only one fruit per vine. But you seem torn here. If the vine is good sized, then I believe it wouldn't make much difference in the potential size of either to grow both of them. One will outdo the other sooner or later and you may want to eliminate the lesser of them when that happens. If you cut one off now you run the risk of cutting off the one that would have grown larger. And my guess is that if you have a fairly large and healthy vine it may make a very small difference in their eventual size if you keep both of them to the end. But you are in a situation where you may be second guessing yourself no matter what you decide to do. So there is no good answer to your question. But I think you already knew that. :o)

7/20/2012 10:01:07 PM

Muddy Waters

How tall are they?How fast are they growing in 24 hrs?at 22 days the 260.5 had an OTT of 139 if youre there you could keep them growing for a couple more days.The next 2 days she grew 3 in circum 2 end to end 1 inch side to side.If your #s are less then these I would cut one off, if as good or better I would leave them both.I really dont think you loose a whole lot if any with 2 fruit.BUTT! they could peter out a little earlier or be taking in less nutrients the last 2 weeks of the season with 2 instead of one.If you grow a 289 you may kick your self.Those #s are totals for 2 days.

7/21/2012 6:17:56 AM

sevierville, Tn

James, i would pick the best growing one, if equal, pick the biggest best vine, if equal, pick the best access to melon, if equal, flip a coin !!!!! Nice to have those kind of choices.

7/21/2012 2:10:45 PM

Rochester, MN

I would start a 3rd and hope that it grows better than the other 2 and keep all 3 on the plant :-).
Just kidding...I learned from the master(you)...only 1 fruit...but I think you can wait till Aug 1st.

7/21/2012 11:51:18 PM

Cameron

Pick one & hope for the best. Good luck.

Jane & Phil

7/26/2012 9:55:43 AM

Rochester, Minnesota

Just so people know, I kept both of them, since the plant seems to be of a size that will support both. Besides, I just lost the one on the plant next to it to rabbits.

Be vewy vewy quiet, I'm hunting wabbits....

7/30/2012 10:18:33 AM