From

Location

Message

Date Posted

Eastern Shore of VA

So what's better to preserve genetics?
I assume the sibb.
If you self a self from last year,are you preserving a quality seeds genetics ?

4/16/2017 12:06:28 PM

NE Arkansas

If you self it you preserve those exact genetics for the most part... if you sibb it then it will have some characteristics of the pollinator plant... and no 2 siblings are exact for the most part...

4/16/2017 9:07:52 PM

Eastern Shore of VA

Thanks Jeremy.
Was trying to rationalize my finalists for my lineups.

4/16/2017 9:19:05 PM

Owensboro, Ky.

ESheel, jmho, but am sorta thinking that the cross process is to promote bigger melons. Preserving genetics is way kul, but progression is what growing giants is all about, I think. Peace, Wayne

4/17/2017 12:28:11 AM

Eastern Shore of VA

You are right Wayne.
I'm growing 3 melons this year.
One is growing in a 25 gallon tub to be used as a pollinator.
One of the seeds in question is from a selfed 255 Mitchell.
I just wanted to make sure the genetics are still strong there for pollination purposes.

4/17/2017 7:39:26 AM

Bethlehem CT

You don't need to worry about inbreeding depression with cucurbits. It is OK to self or sib. As far as I know corn is the only vegetable that will regress within a few generations.

4/17/2017 11:18:54 AM

South Arkansas

Wait until females blooms appear before deciding to self or to sibb. You want to perpetuate the best characteristics. You prefer melons with four to five seed rows that run from the stem end to the blossom end (like in the 255 Mitchell) so you look for well shaped female flowers that have four to five lobes. It is logical to use pollen from a plant that makes four or five lobe female flowers over using pollen from a plant that makes just three lobe female flowers. It increases your chances of four and five lobed female flowers in the future.

4/17/2017 1:13:04 PM

Eastern Shore of VA

Thanks John.
I wondered about inbreeding amongst the plants.
Thank you Mr.Bright.
So if I self as you suggested,the future offspring will produce more 5 lobe females ?
sort of eliminating the recessive genes ?

4/17/2017 3:39:45 PM

South Arkansas

It would still be by chance. You would increase your chances of a four or five lobe type melon in the future by not using the pollen of a plant making only three lobe female flowers.

4/17/2017 4:38:40 PM

Eastern Shore of VA

I see.
Thanks.

4/17/2017 9:22:53 PM

Bethlehem CT

Lloyd,this is very interesting. We have not really discussed lobes in watermelons very much on this site. Brotherdave had informed me years ago about how important he thinks it is to have a 4 or 5 lobes, but that is about all I have heard of it.

4/18/2017 7:26:32 AM

Fenton, MI

Lloyd is right and thanks for posting. I grew a 296.5 Barber that was a 5 lobe melon and a 316 Edwards that was a 5 lob melon. I got one 5 lobe female on the 316 and cross it with the 296.5. Only had 60 days to grow it due to cold spring here in MI, but got a 199.5 from it that I will be planting this year.

4/18/2017 7:54:41 AM

Liberty nc

I will be planting it to this year Marvin!

4/18/2017 8:13:30 AM

Omaha, Nebraska

By "lobes" in the female flower, are you talking about the sections in the stigma, the central bit that accepts pollen?

4/18/2017 2:13:22 PM

Corryton, TN

Yes, stigma sections.

4/18/2017 3:31:38 PM

Corryton, TN

One advantage to selfing a plant is that you are going to pollinate the largest melon with the largest melon producer. At the same time a dud will only be pollinating duds. I can't mention the number of times I wish I had used a different pollinator.

Wish I had selfed the only plant that I've seen a 6 lober on.

4/18/2017 3:59:25 PM

Eastern Shore of VA

Never seen a six lobe brother Dave.
I'm usually trying to pollinate by flashlight!

4/18/2017 7:44:08 PM

Corryton, TN

Posted a couple of pic in diary

4/18/2017 9:21:35 PM

Hamilton Nj

wat is the difference btween self polinated and sibbed/??

and how do you do sibbed??? a litle confused lol thanks pizza

4/20/2017 2:31:29 AM

sevierville, Tn

self is with the same plant.
sibb is with the same seed line. So if you plant two 350 plants, you would use pollen from one to pollinate the other.

4/20/2017 6:31:20 AM

Hamilton Nj

thank you

4/21/2017 4:12:32 AM