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Grant, AL

Hey everybody! I wanted to get everyone's insight on a subject that I've been curious about for a few years now. Do you think that a seed taken from a melon that was grown on a grafted plant has the same size potential if that seed is grafted or grown traditionally? Once a seed has been grown as a graft can the seeds from the melon that the plant produces be grown the following year and have the same size potential if grown as a traditional plant?

1/7/2017 12:32:36 PM

Spring Hope, N.C. - USA

look at 318

1/7/2017 1:45:30 PM

Grant, AL

Yeah Danny but it was grown on a grafted plant. What I am wondering is that if you take two seeds from Chris's 318 and grow one as a graft and the other traditionally, will you have the same size potential from both plants.

1/7/2017 1:52:45 PM

East Tennessee

My thoughts and I will use oh idk lets say just stick with the 302. Seeds that are started and grafted to rootstock will have a greater chance of growing to 300 versus 302 seeds that are grown traditional.

1/7/2017 2:19:09 PM

Grant, AL

Thank you Jeremy that was the answer that I was looking for

1/7/2017 2:24:10 PM

East Tennessee

I also believe there are some seeds from yesterday that using todays techniques could grow really big melons.

1/7/2017 3:03:57 PM

Corryton, TN

I basically agree with Jeremy. I haven't grown grafted plants so for those of you that have grown both, how much extra end gain do you think grafting adds?

1/7/2017 3:51:16 PM

Grant, AL

I have never grown a graft either BrotherDave but I plan on trying one this year just to see how it grows. I have always heard that one of the knocks against grafting is you can't maintain the genetics of the particular seed that you are growing. It seems like the seed can't maintain its genetics if a seed from a grafted melon is then grown traditionally the following year or several years later but if the seed is from a tradionally grown melon and that seed is started and grafted then it's seems the genetics are maintained. I grew a 251 and a 302 last year traditionally and both struggled to reach 150 lbs and both are from grafted melons. All other melons grown beside them were seeds from traditionally grown melons(229 Edwards,255 Mitchell,267 Edwards) and they all went over 200 lbs. None of this is accounting for things like grower experience and techniques though.

1/7/2017 4:16:48 PM

sevierville, Tn

the genetics don't change if its grafted or not. all that is different is the roots. I have never seen anything that says otherwise.

1/7/2017 4:37:53 PM

sevierville, Tn

The graft just gives a different set of risk/reward. With grafts, you have a much higher chance of loosing the plant before the melon is done. But, if you can keep it healthy, you can end up with a bigger melon. We all saw how all the grafts in 2014 were lost. No one had a bigger melon that year due to grafting.

1/7/2017 4:41:57 PM

sevierville, Tn

As we saw in 2016, if things go right, then your melon can be bigger.

1/7/2017 4:44:07 PM

Grant, AL

Sorry Chris that was a bad choice of words on my part. How was the seed count on the 318? Do you think a 318 seed would have the same size potential for a melon regardless of whether it was grown as a graft or traditionally?

1/7/2017 5:40:59 PM

Grant, AL

Oh I just saw what you said about plant health. Thanks Chris!

1/7/2017 5:57:13 PM

Grant, AL

I'm going to ask this but I just don't see it happening. Do you think there is anyway y'all Tennessee boys(Chris Kent,Dave Cantrell,Jeremy and Jason Terry) could come together with Bama Nation for one day and root the Tide on during the National title game Monday night? I know it's probably wishful thinking but come on guys.LOL

1/7/2017 7:51:14 PM

simpson,KS

Why don't you all take one seed from grafted plant and grow one traditional and one grafted and see if it makes a difference.
Like the 302
Handful of growers
1 grafted
1 traditional
Lets put it to the test.
Different regions not just the watermelon belt??

1/7/2017 8:43:02 PM

Corryton, TN

Sorry brother Charles but as much as I love all my growing friends here that won't happen. The closest thing to pulling for Alabama in football would be if they were playing Ohio State. In that case I would pull for both to lose.

1/7/2017 8:56:47 PM

Grant, AL

I completely understand Brother Dave! I guess the fact that Clemson just beat Ohio St probably makes you like them even more. That is definitely one thing that we agree on Dave. I can't stand Ohio St!

1/7/2017 9:20:13 PM

Liberty nc

Hey Charles I grew the 102 Dawson Grafted plant that I grew traditional this year Which got to 225 lbs could have been more if it wasn't for grower error. I think it's probably more grower error then if it was grafted or not. As for growing a traditional verse grafting of the same seed or any seed all your testing is what has already been tested as a grafted melon can be bigger if kept healthy to the end.

1/7/2017 9:21:55 PM

Grant, AL

Thanks a lot Andrew! That is the kind of results that I was looking for.

1/7/2017 9:36:22 PM

sevierville, Tn

i pull for tennessee first, then SEC teams , so i guess if i have to i would prefer Al to win ! ( boy, saying that leaves a bad taste in my mouth) LOL

1/7/2017 9:40:54 PM

Grant, AL

Hey I appreciate that Chris! I bet it does leave a bad taste in your mouth LOL. For your sacrifice I'm going to hand deliver you a big Orange Tendersweet melon in Cullman this summer(this is an orange meated melon that is one of the best tasting melons around). I figure its only fair if your willing to pull for my Tide one time that I can gift you with some Big Orange in return!

1/7/2017 10:07:14 PM

East Tennessee

I too am loyal to my conference Charles. As I choke back puke I say congrats on a great year and....ROLL TIDE!!!

1/7/2017 10:56:04 PM

Grant, AL

Wow! Thanks a lot Jeremy! It's not a great year unless we finish the job Monday night. I think this game will be a little different than last years. All of the headlines have been about Lane Kiffin leaving but I think this is a game that our defense will really try to make a statement after Deshaun Watson embarrassed them last year. Alot of people in the media picking Clemson to win which kinda has put a chip on the whole team shoulder. We will see though. Well I guess you and Chris will both be getting a Big Orange melon in Cullman LOL. Please Jeremy, hold your puke till after the game!

1/7/2017 11:14:24 PM

Tennessee

I'm in too! Vol 4 Life die hard but I want SEC to win everything. Go Bama.

1/7/2017 11:37:46 PM

Grant, AL

Thanks Jason! I know that was hard for you guys but I appreciate it! You won't regret it when you dig in to your Big Orange melons.

1/7/2017 11:52:43 PM

sevierville, Tn

Thanks Charles, i'm gonna hold ya to that !

1/8/2017 7:52:13 AM

Bethlehem CT

My take on grafts, is that it is analogous to adding a turbo booster or some other type of modification to an engine. It can really help speed things up if things go right, but it could also overheat and catch on fire.
Certain engines can be modified and do really well, others can't.

1/8/2017 8:25:55 AM

NE Arkansas

I'm with most of the SEC boys... I cheer for Arkansas first... SEC second... So Roll Tide...

1/8/2017 10:15:35 AM

Grant, AL

Thanks Jeremy! I guess you know what that means. I'll be bringing one Carolina Cross to Cullman along the four smaller Big Orange "gift" melons for you guys. Y'all don't have to tell me how hard it is to root for somebody else. Believe me I know! But I do really appreciate it guys!LOL

1/8/2017 11:34:23 AM

NE Arkansas

Charles the 251 Kent was a traditional melon

1/8/2017 11:44:39 AM

Grant, AL

Oh ok! I thought it was a graft. Thanks Jeremy!

1/8/2017 12:12:21 PM

Eastern Shore of VA

Good analogy Big moon.
I have always wanted to try growing a grafted melon,but limited space and risk of "engine failure" have always scared me away.
Big melons,I think your idea is a good one,but I don't know how accurate the results would be.
I could graft a 302 Kent and end up with a 200 lb melon.
You could grow one traditionally and end up with 300.
Soils,techniques make lots of differences.
Charles,I live in ACC country,and my team is not playing.
Having said that, I'm pulling for .......
A meteor.

1/9/2017 2:48:53 PM

Grant, AL

Lol Ben! I'm hoping the only thing resembling a meteor in Tampa tonight is that red hot, rock solid Bama D playing lights out defense!

1/9/2017 6:20:31 PM

Spring Hope, N.C. - USA

you tenn boys it is ok to spit.LOL

1/9/2017 6:49:32 PM

Spring Hope, N.C. - USA

how about them tigers

1/10/2017 7:12:29 AM

Liberty nc

Lol

1/10/2017 8:45:02 AM

Grant, AL

You said it Danny! They are like kryptonite to Alabamas defense. It was a great game though!

1/10/2017 10:23:25 AM

Liberty nc

That it was!

1/10/2017 10:33:13 AM

Grant, AL

One thing I think everyone would agree on is that it was a super physical game. I guarantee you Deshaun Watson is sore this morning. As great as he played he took some major hits last night. As I guess that was a good trial run for what the NFL will be like for him next year.

1/10/2017 10:47:41 AM

East Tennessee

great game!!!

1/10/2017 11:03:40 AM

Spring Hope, N.C. - USA

one of the best championship games ever

1/10/2017 4:39:15 PM