From

Location

Message

Date Posted

Central NY

Am I supposed to be pollinating these by hand ?

7/18/2016 10:50:42 PM

Eastern Shore of VA

Yes.
If you want a controlled cross.
How many plants you got?

7/19/2016 5:42:15 AM

Central NY

Two plants... Not planning on saving seeds

7/19/2016 7:17:25 AM

Eastern Shore of VA

What plants?
Good genetics will make monsters.
Same seeds?
From my understanding,you can sibb it to maintain the genetics.
If not,let the bees do the work.

7/19/2016 10:07:05 AM

Central NY

148 jones and 219? Vail?.. Not sure of the spelling..

7/19/2016 12:49:48 PM

Eastern Shore of VA

You could pollinate between the two.
The outcome of the pollination won't be known until next year.
The bees will do it for you otherwise.
If interested in a controlled cross I can explain how I do it.

7/19/2016 7:40:44 PM

Central NY

Thanks esheel---I'll let the bees do it this time..but I got a feeling I' could get into these...

7/19/2016 8:31:18 PM

Eastern Shore of VA

I feel the same about tomatoes.

7/19/2016 9:09:29 PM

Bowdon, GA

I don't have any scientific proof but I think the more seeds you pollinate the more melon you get. I maybe wrong but I think that a hand pollinated melon will be heavier than the same open melon.

7/19/2016 11:20:50 PM

Central NY

Sounds like science to me...there are fruits showing up... How big of a plant do I want before fruit set?...

7/21/2016 6:22:58 PM

Eastern Shore of VA

At least 100 linear ft of vine.
Plant won't support the fruit if smaller.

7/21/2016 9:39:15 PM

Central NY

How many days to they grow for?

7/21/2016 10:13:50 PM

sevierville, Tn

if the plant is healthy, they can grow 90+ days

7/22/2016 6:43:48 AM

Eastern Shore of VA

Maintain a good spray program.
Fungicides and insecticides.
Rotate periodically.
Easy does it with fertilizers.

7/22/2016 9:51:44 PM

Owensboro, Ky.

ESheel, if possible...please explain "100 ft of linear vine"...I think I know what you mean but some folks might not. Thanks, Peace, Wayne

7/23/2016 12:41:56 AM

Eastern Shore of VA

Total length of your main and finger vines.
Tertiary vines as well.
Say your main vine is 10 ft long.
It might have 4-5 little vines shooting off the sides that are 3 ft long.
Using all my fingers and toes that calculates to 22-25 feet of vine there.
Do the same with the finger vines.
That's just the way I do it.

7/23/2016 7:43:09 AM

Owensboro, Ky.

ESheel, thanks for the detailed exp. I am sure it will help some newer growers. Quick question, and I realize I am on the melon board, not the pkn board...but seems like I remember that the pkn growers terminate most if not all of the tertiary vines...why not w/melons? Peace, Wayne

7/24/2016 12:37:37 AM

sevierville, Tn

wayne, cause its almost impossible to " terminate most if not all of the tertiary vines" Most don't come right out like the pumpkin do so you can't just pinch them off as the vines grow. maybe with lots of time and a way to get to all the vines after the fact you could. Would be a great test. I would like to see a plant like that !

7/24/2016 7:39:06 AM

Eastern Shore of VA

Some people do I believe.
I think it's a pruning preference(?)
Next year I'm going to try to let the main and fingers reach the edges of the patch,while pruning the tertiary vines,then deadhead the vines and let the tertiary vines fill in.
You need the leaves for later in the season.
For any new growers my advice would be to ask questions!
I have received great advice from the veteran growers here.
Read this message board.
There is a treasure trove of information here.
Also,Mr. Lloyd Bright has a fantastic book available on his website,
Giantwatermelons.com

7/24/2016 7:46:43 AM

Eastern Shore of VA

And listen to Chris !
He is far more knowledgable than I !

7/24/2016 7:49:14 AM

Owensboro, Ky.

ESheel, Thank You, for your informative response...sometimes folks are not so nice! Peace, Wayne PS...come on down to KY. for a real melon weigh off! As many melons as pkns! Peace, again!

7/25/2016 12:22:56 AM