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Location

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Date Posted

Franklinton ,La.

Lots of watermelon vines and very few females. What's up with this? I have experienced this before but I do not know what causes it. They always seem to have females later. Thoughts! !!

5/3/2017 8:01:09 AM

The North Coast

Sometimes the amount of nitrogen available to the plant will lead it to stay vegetative. Tissue and soil analysis may help you tune things in.

5/3/2017 8:17:24 AM

Franklinton ,La.

I have performed 4 soil analysis so far within the last 6 months. I am within 10 ppm of the range recommended by the PGA for giant pumpkins and the soil sampling results is Optimum for nitrogen

5/3/2017 3:32:26 PM

Eastern Shore of VA

Feed it a bloom booster.
How hot is it there ?
Heat can play a factor.

5/3/2017 4:02:46 PM

Franklinton ,La.

Upper 70's to low 80's daytime and mid 40's to low 60's at night.It is unseasonably cool for this time of the year. Lots of blooms, just not many females yet. Two melons on 2 of the larger plants and they are about the size of my fist and growing slowly. A lot of beautiful vines with big thick runners ,just hope the melons come soon.

5/3/2017 8:46:24 PM

Fuquay Varina, NC

BiggDogg, it been 70's - 80's here, about 60 at night maybe but it sounds like a little too much nitrogen. I would slow down on nit. and see if things change. I started out with low nit. but now going a little heavier on nit, plants are putting out female decently. ESheel31 suggest bloom booster, I agree, for what it is worth.

5/3/2017 10:01:43 PM

Franklinton ,La.

Picked up a couple of containers of Super Bloom this afternoon. We have been getting so much rain, if it ever dries out I will apply through the drip. I just don't understand though ,I am right in line on nitrogen as well as all major and minor nutrients per soil sample results and recommended PPM per the Pumpkin Growers Association. Thanks for all recommendations.

5/3/2017 11:11:20 PM

NE Arkansas

Some pumpkins love Nitrogen and some melons do... I always tend to be high on N as I like the urea lol

5/4/2017 1:25:16 AM

The North Coast

Sounds like the only thing left to do is to set out a radio at night playing some Barry White. Maybe some red wine too. Good luck.

5/4/2017 7:41:42 AM

Bethlehem CT

BIg Dogg my guess is that you will be OK once the nights get a little warmer.

5/4/2017 7:53:25 AM

Bethlehem CT

I would actually back off the ferts. until you have some set on the vine then you can start your fertilizing again. Plants often need a little wake up call (stress) to send them into fruiting mode.

5/4/2017 8:01:08 AM

SW Ohio

Are your plants big enough? Mine wont throw females till the plant gets a certain size

5/4/2017 5:16:26 PM

Eastern Shore of VA

I have noticed the last couple of years,that the males always come out first.
Usually females come within a couple of weeks.

5/4/2017 7:45:47 PM

Franklinton ,La.

Barbeetoo (5) of the plants have main vines from 12-15' long.See diary. My experience from the past has been female then 6 males,female etc.at each leaf node.

5/4/2017 9:38:46 PM

SW Ohio

Interesting. I usually have 3 males then a female. Good luck. Hope the females show up soon!

5/4/2017 10:03:11 PM

Fuquay Varina, NC

LBD..remember, it not how you melons "starts" that count, it how they finish. I am sure they have time. Also, the plants knows better than we do when they are able to handle fruiting.

5/4/2017 11:15:27 PM

Franklinton ,La.

Thanks H3 ,maybe I am a little antsy.I had to go out of town for 3 days with my job,maybe they will surprise me when I get back home Saturday night.

5/5/2017 6:55:06 AM

SW Ohio

I just looked at your diary. I see you have had some nasty weather. Maybe thats what the problem is

5/5/2017 6:07:09 PM

Eastern Shore of VA

Easy to get antsy.
I'm that way every year.

5/5/2017 6:56:30 PM