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Westmoreland, KS

Okay it is the middle of the season i have a nice melon going...good shape good size.

What should i be doing this time of year.

I water everyday, fertilize and spray for bugs and disease regularly.

I cover them with a white sheet.

What else should i be doing to get a true giant? Do i need to do more than just cover with a sheet? Should i move the vines as the stem grows so it won't split? Do i need to deadhead the vines or let them grow?

All and any info is much appreciated.

thanks all

8/3/2015 5:15:59 PM

Eastern Shore of VA

To me it sounds like your on the right track.
What's your OTT measurements?
Do you have a diary?
You'll find a lot of good advice on here.
I know I sure have.
Rotate your pesticides and fungicides.
You can deadhead the vines,but the one the melon is on usually just stops growing.
You can get more answers from some really good people here.
Folks with a lot more knowledge than I.
Good luck.
And keep the voles away with castor oil.

8/3/2015 7:18:48 PM

formerly RGG

Rotten leaves or other debris falling on your vines will often cause them to rot and especially so in high heat and humidity. So make sure the vine stays unobstructed between the stump and melon.It is good to break or cut off all dead plant material to allow newer growth to thrive. Keep looking for late setting melons and keep them picked off as they can rob the energy to your growing giant. Are you using a spray that kills and keeps away spider mites ? They can be deadly this time of the year. If your vine is huge and growing rapidly you might think about trimming off a section that is away from the melon and not heavily rooted. That will leave more sap from to roots to go to your melon. I don't think anyone will tell you deadheading will hurt and there are some like me who prefer it.You should find yourself edging the melon forward away from the stem every few days as they get longer and push back toward the stems.If your plant is growing more slowly and you want to beef it up some you might try working a good organic fertilizer into the top few inches of soil as much as you are able. Just avoid digging into your plants roots.Last of all I find it good to put a little soluble fertilize, maybe a 20-20-20 with micro nutrients into my spray mix. This will help to feed your plant and will help to correct any nutrient imbalances you may have and perhaps not even be aware of. And of course keep your plant weeded as needed.

8/3/2015 9:35:49 PM

formerly RGG

The plant roots often stretch further than the vines so make sure you are watering a large enough area. And you should encourage secondary rooting as much as possible.

8/3/2015 10:04:21 PM

Eastern Shore of VA

^^^
See?

8/3/2015 11:32:09 PM

Westmoreland, KS

Thanks for the great info tennessee and esheel...my plant is large i have a 20x20 area that it is overtaking. Some of the leaves are close to 2 foot long...biggest leaves i've ever seen on a watermelon plant. I'll make sure to do a better job of watering out further. I've been keeping the plant clean of old leaves and weeds as best that i can.

8/4/2015 9:05:53 AM

Eastern Shore of VA

Cheap landscape fabric does wonders.
You should be able to get some additional rooting at the nodes through the fabric.
Keeps a lot of weeds out.

8/4/2015 9:19:03 PM

simpson,KS

keeping the plant healthy and alive throughout the summer is a chore but beneficial for large fruit keep it up and will be anxcious to see how it does. I live about 100 miles west of you . have 35 days till state fair so keep it growing

8/7/2015 9:30:30 AM

Westmoreland, KS

Good luck to ya Bigmelons...do you have any goods ones going?

8/10/2015 2:28:07 PM