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Grant, AL

The main vine on our 253 Mudd just broke! Vine was about a foot long growing really good. Any suggestions on what I should do? I gave all of our backup plants to coworkers so replacement isn't much of an option. Will a secondary grow and take over as the new main? Will this hurt potential of this plant in any way and potential size of fruit?

5/12/2015 7:52:46 PM

formerly RGG

Yes Charles, a secondary will take over as a new main. It seems to me like the largest melons do grow on the main. Giants have been grown on finger vines and secondaries though. It is difficult to say how much effect the loss of a main might have on eventual melon size this early in the season but I would tend to think the difference wouldn't be a lot. Anyway it is what it is and I am sure you will make the best of your situation. This goes to show you the importance of keeping some good backups around for as long as possible.

5/13/2015 3:14:13 PM

Grant, AL

Absolutely TD! I think in the future I will keep a couple of plants in large pots growing in case I have a poor growing plant that I need to replace or heaven forbid I have an accident. Thanks for the encouragement.

5/13/2015 10:32:27 PM

Muddy Waters

My 260 was on a finger vine my MV snapped early on in 2011.Keep your back ups till memorial weekend.They vine out in the pots thats ok.I lost my whole garden in 1998 to a tornado on June 6th.I planted a 4 foot long melon plant on June 7th 1998.Bill Edwards gave it to me that year I grew a 181.5 lb melon that year .2nd place at Pt Elgin. was like 220 would be now.I also grew a 789 lb pumpkin from a root bound pumpkin plant that was 4 feet long Bill gave me.I was about 300 lbs shy of the world record.All these years later I still am .lol

5/14/2015 5:50:01 AM

Grant, AL

Thanks TD and Mark

5/17/2015 6:10:25 PM