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El Paso TX.

Last year I had pretty poor results on germinating my giant cantelopes (only had about 4 out of 12 seeds germinate vs 90%+ germination on watermelon and AG seed) So was wondering if they require any different procedures than you use on watermelons or AGs.

So does anyone have some information on the methods they have had success with that they'd be willing to share.

12/16/2010 10:51:37 PM

Corryton, TN

I use the damp paper towel method at 90-95 deg with near 100% germination.

Now is the time to experiment if you have spare seeds. If you need some to play just let me know.

12/17/2010 7:41:17 AM

Trinity River Bottom

same here dave. they rot very easily if they are to wet. I use the damp paper towel method. dampen paper towel ring as much water out as you can. lay seed on folded paper towel. fold paper towel back over seed. put in a ziploc bag leave bag open do not seal . then i set mine on top of the hot water heater. usually germed within 48 hrs.

12/17/2010 8:52:11 AM

El Paso TX.

Thanks for the info Dave and Kirk - probably was a case of a bit too damp and a bit too low of a temp (was using 80-85 deg)then. Do you normally soak the seeds before using the damp towel or does it get enough moisture from just the damp towel ?

@Dave - Yep was planning on running several tests over the next couple moonths on the seeds I got from the one fruit that made it (24 Lbs.) off of the 36.28 seed I got from you last year (had 3 other plants that were lost to a bad windstorm early in the season) - Thanks again for sharing !

Another quick question -- I found that the plant really had a hard time getting fruit set (wound up with 2 sets out of several dozen flowers) -- Do you think that was more from the extreme weather here (1 month Straight of 100+ deg temps during pollination time) or are the plants partially infertile to self pollination ( Since I only had the one plant survive all pollination attempts had to be selfs) - wasn't sure which might have been the cause and would like to have more success next year - so if it was the temps. I'll get the water bottles frozen and the ice chest\fan ready to keep them cooler.

12/17/2010 10:32:49 AM

Trinity River Bottom

JD i don't soak my seeds. We are not as hot as you are but we have a few days of 100 degree temps. i only planted 1 as well so they were selfed i probably cut 10-12 small melons from the 1 plant so they don't have a problem with self pollination. more than likely the high temps are your problem. after july there was only 1 other melon set on mine .

12/17/2010 12:03:47 PM

El Paso TX.

Thanks Kirk - I had a feeling that was it, esp after seeing Dave's post in the other thread about 90+degree temps effecting pollination, but just wasn't sure if the self pollinating was adding to the problem as well. (Since all of the seed I had last year were from controlled crosses and none were selfed wasn't sure).

Fortunately there are plenty of seeds in one melon to run a lot of testing on and with the long season here there is time to spread out the plantings to hopefully have some ready to pollinate at the right times.

12/17/2010 12:40:13 PM

Corryton, TN

I don't soak either.

After seeing only one set on 8 plants last year while day temps were 90+ deg, I have no doubt that heat is a factor. All the plants set normal fruit after the temps cooled to the 80's for daily highs. There were a few scattered deformed fruit that appeared during the high temps. My 8.0 (64.8 Robb x Sibb) was one of those deformed ones but it was the only cross that stuck and I wanted those seeds.

12/17/2010 1:59:28 PM

El Paso TX.

I can see why you'd want to keep those seeds - will be interesting to see what they do this next year - that's one small melon that definitely seems to have lots of potential to grow big.

Glad to hear it wasn't just me that had problems with getting sets this last year (not that I'd wish that on anyone !)- I hated to see so many female flowers and only get one melon growing (the second set I had was also pretty deformed so was culled )

And sounds like the soaking I did on the seeds combined with the lower germ chamber temp was probably the cause of the low germ results I had - Thanks guys for the info and will post results of the tests over the next few months.

12/17/2010 2:29:48 PM

Corryton, TN

I'm willing to share them while they last if they get planted.

12/17/2010 2:50:38 PM

Owensboro, Ky.

IMHO, the filing & soaking thing is done w/ AG, LG, other gourd type seeds b/cause of their thick seed coats!!! Lope seeds...IMHO...do not need this cause of their thin coats/shells!!! If yer gonna soak em, yer starting mix needs to be minimum moistness, or yer gonna rot em!!! JMHO!!! Peace, Wayne
Grow brotherdave, GROW!!!!
PS...I would also like all of you to contact yer GPC rep, and encourage the idea of Lopes, being included into the GPC, dealio!!!! Don't forget to mention the idea of off site weighing, as Lopes mature quickly, like maters!!!!

12/18/2010 3:04:01 AM

El Paso TX.

OK - First test started - 6 seeds placed in damp paper towel ( wet towel folded into 16ths and rung so that all drops were removed and then unfolded)- seeds arranged and towel refolded placed in ziploc baggie and placed atop Hot water heater (digital thermometer reads 94 degrees when left in same spot.) - will post results when completed.

12/18/2010 3:52:21 PM

Owensboro, Ky.

Way KUL...glad to see this forum GROWIN!!! Peace, Wayne

12/19/2010 12:35:32 AM

Rome Ga

if you are not hand pollinating them part of the problem is probably the lack of bees to do the work. So many people call me wanting a hive of bees around their garden and when i put one in they are shocked at how much more fruit is put on. The bees are in trouble and we are not making alot of headway on what the problem is. But the good thing is that there is alot more research going on now then there was five years ago. If you are pollinating by hand then you will have to watch the bees if you get someone to put a hive in. I havent tried to do the lopes by hand but i am sure it will be very close to the same as the watermelons. Do it very careful Good Luck ...David

12/19/2010 9:09:08 AM

El Paso TX.

48 hours into Germination Test 1 and we have signs of life -- 4 of 6 seeds have sprouted a root - will give the others a bit more time but already better results using this method than I had last season -- thanks again to those that gave suggestions.

@beeman -- the bees around here have been fairly abundant - the first year we planted did not see very many but the last couple of years more have been showing up (the big yellow flowers on the AGs and field pumpkins attract them pretty well)- but I do agree over the past decade or so they have really dwindled in numbers - Has it also gotten harder to keep the numbers up in the hives you place over the years ?

12/20/2010 6:57:51 PM