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Eastern Shore of VA

Cut open the 251 Kent today.
Lost plant to voles around the last week of July.
Melon was 36 DAP with an OTT of 142 at the time.
Thanks to the advice I recieved,I was able to gain another 1 1/2 inches of growth before calling it on August 5th.
Was yellowing,and I knew it was done.
Finally split down the side this past Wednesday,(probably from all the ferts I have been pushing)so I removed from the vine today.
Pictures up in diary soon.
Final OTT of 143. 90 lbs
Actual weight on bathroom scale was 86 lbs even.
Had hoped it would go heavy, but it's been leaking for four days so I don't know how much it lost.

Removed lots of seeds and are soaking in a bucket with a little dawn and cold water.
A majority of the seeds sank to the bottom,while some have floated.
Are the floaters undesirable ?
Seeds are dark brown in color
Cross is 251 Kent with a 209 Schinicker as the pollinator.

8/16/2015 10:25:59 PM

Alberta

I don't soak my seeds..I just rinse em off in a strainer bowl

8/16/2015 11:51:31 PM

sevierville, Tn

yes, don't soak, rinse then dry !

8/17/2015 6:45:10 AM

Vermont

How long should they dry before going in the fridge?

8/17/2015 4:56:08 PM

Eastern Shore of VA

Well crap.
Soaked em for about 4-6 hours, then rinsed them in a strainer and spread em out to dry on towels overnight.
I hope I didn't mess em up.
Just tried to get the excess flesh off off them.
Thanks again.

8/17/2015 6:07:19 PM

Bethlehem CT

Your seeds will be fine ESheel. Many or most of the floaters will germinate too. ( in my experience.) With some types of seeds, the floaters are no good, because they are undeveloped. crack a few seeds open and see if they have developed cotyledons and embryos.

8/17/2015 7:22:56 PM

Eastern Shore of VA

Awesome Big moon.
I think I had a pretty good cross on this one.
Almost as big around as a bushel basket before he started turning to mush.
Those monster girth Kent genes.
I'm going to try it next year, and have plenty of seeds if any one is intrested.

8/17/2015 7:45:06 PM

sevierville, Tn

i dry the for at least 2-3 weeks to get all moisture out. keep turning , mixing them

8/18/2015 7:03:58 AM

Vermont

Thanks Chris!!!! After drying do you store yours in the fridge or freezer?

8/18/2015 1:23:47 PM

Alberta

After three weeks or so you will notice a thin layer that will rub off,,rub off all the seeds then dry another week or so before freezing
PS.Seeds laying on a window screen will dry better..air on both sides!

8/18/2015 2:10:37 PM

Alberta

Laughing at myself now.lol..Just read the post again..I posted what to do with pumpkin seeds not watermelons.lol

8/18/2015 2:13:43 PM

Forest Hill,md.

Hi Esheel ! Sorry to hear of the 251 coming to an end.At least you still have another one in play.I would be interested in obtaining seeds in trade or otherwise from you if interested.It appears my 296 barber melon is nearing its end at 160 ott.Will have available 316 edwards(still growing),241.5 spence,253 neptune,253 Mudd and 253 neptune.If interested can give me info at nelex@live.com.Thanks,Mike.

8/18/2015 5:01:00 PM

sevierville, Tn

VTBC, i put the in the freezer after winter seed season. They keep for many many years frozen.

8/18/2015 7:42:57 PM

Cranbrook bc

Do you have to keep seeds frozen? I've had all my seeds sitting at room temperature don't want them to go bad

8/19/2015 8:41:47 PM

sevierville, Tn

they will keep for many years at room temp.

8/20/2015 6:52:28 AM