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formerly RGG

In one of the interviews he gave, Beni Meier says something to the effect that plant roots will thrive best if kept relatively dry.He says too much water will produce strong plant growth but risk rotting some of a plants roots. I have always had the opinion that if a growers soil is well drained and the temperature is warm to hot, then it is nearly impossible to over water a melon plant.And I have sometimes watered my plants as much as 3 times per day. But if Beni is correct and if the same principle applies to melon roots as to pumpkin roots then perhaps watering more than once a day isn't good. Maybe even every other day might be best especially when the temps are more moderate. What do you other growers make of this ?

1/21/2015 6:59:40 PM

Watervalley Ms

IN MR Bright's book he said, that he watered the 268 melon every other day, and his soil is very well drained. I sometimes like to use city water the evening before in hopes that the chlorine evaporates before the next day.

1/21/2015 8:25:27 PM

formerly RGG

Beni uses peat moss and perlite in his soil mix. The perlite helps to provide excellent drainage and keeps soil very loose and the peat moss helps keep soil loose and retains moisture.A very loose soil is a soil that allows oxygen to the roots and I think that oxygenated soil is a key to help prevent soil bourne disease and in helping to develop the super healthy root system necessary to grow giant fruit.

1/21/2015 9:38:21 PM

Bethlehem CT

In my opinion, I think it is definitely better for the plant to be kept on the drier side. The question is, at what point is that going to cost you in pounds? It is a fine line. If you are just looking to grow a large melon with minimal problems, keep em dry. If you are looking to win contests and break records. You have to push the water more. That is why competitive growers have to be so vigilant with a good fungicide spray program.

1/21/2015 9:51:46 PM

formerly RGG

Here is the link to the Beni Meier interview I read:

http://www.bigpumpkins.com/Diary/DiaryViewOne.asp?eid=232754

I saved it as a picture to my hard drive and then enlarged it in order to be able to read it. Anyone know of web address to find a more clear copy of this interview ? There are similarities in growing giant pumpkins and watermelons and I have always believed a very healthy root system is perhaps the most important key in growing prize winning fruit. I think Beni Meier makes a good case that a light fluffy soil that gets plenty of oxygen where it is needed is just the ticket to put a grower on the road toward success. A grower might worry about the high PH value of peat moss making his soil too acidic but I know that using a little dolimitic limestone mixed into your soil will keep the PH just about where it needs to be.

1/21/2015 9:51:58 PM

formerly RGG

You are certainly right about that John, as we all know that big gains are seen right after a big rainfall. Natural rainfall also provides ozone which provides oxygen to the soil. The thing about the Beni Meier soil mix is that it provides most excellent drainage and is fluffy so that a greater than normal amount of air is getting to the plants root system.I believe also that planting in a raised bed and planting on a large hill will additionally help with drainage and thus provide additional air to your plants root system.

1/21/2015 10:02:16 PM

Australia eastcoastcitrus@hotmail.com

i like to keep the soil moist it only gets to much if it rains i grew a patch of warpaint and candy red this season we had a very dry spring and summer till now and i only watered them twice and the fruit are as big as i have ever grown with excellent flavour i dont know anything about giant melons but we have a wholesale nursery and we water as little as possible which encourages a bigger stronger root system and over watering invites problems from the pictures i see on this site i would say beni meiers plants would have a lot more feeder roots under them than most growers plants and tenessee dreamer i think your right on about air to the roots loose soil and a raised or crowned bed when growing outside i have to as we can get big lots of rain at times

1/22/2015 3:02:43 PM