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The North Coast

I learned a lot this year. What are some tips and tricks you have found to be a benefit?

For example, I intentionally planted extra plants that I knew I would eventually remove. When I did my first tissue test in early spring and needed 20 newly mature leaves I didn't have to take them from my primary plants. I used the 3 extra plants for the test. By the time of my second test the primary plants were big enough that it didn't matter.

What have you found that works?

1/3/2018 3:37:57 PM

East Tennessee

Great idea Nathan!

1/3/2018 7:20:17 PM

Eastern Shore of VA

Your diary entries are great Nathan.
Seeing the differences in stump size and root size of grafted vs. traditional is really eye opening.
You have almost convinced me to try a grafted plant next year !

1/3/2018 10:11:53 PM

Grant, AL

Awesome diary Nathan! I was going to grow a few grafts this year but I have decided to grow all grafts this year. I do think planting extra plants for testing purposes or even double planting is a smart idea.

1/3/2018 10:36:18 PM

The North Coast

The last few are still yet to come through. I had to resize all the pictures. Took me close to 4 hours. Cheers.

1/3/2018 11:05:26 PM

The North Coast

Another tip is if you use a moisture sensor it says to put it 4-6" down. That way too shallow. It needs to be down further. I'd go 10-12 inches.

1/4/2018 8:59:59 AM

Bethlehem CT

Nate, great job with your diary. I love the set-up. You put a lot of thought and effort into your melons. In one of your entries I noticed the brown "sap" coming from the vines. Was that just on the grafted plants. In my experience I get that from the grafted plants. In fact even when I harvest a melon and cut the stem a brown sap will come from it on the grafted plants. I don't remember seeing the brown sap on non grafted melons.

1/4/2018 9:27:06 AM

NE Arkansas

Here's one of the things I like to do, I cut plastic barrels in half and remove the top and bottom and use for wind breaks, If you look at the plant on the left I also use a small square of shade cloth to prevent sunburn for the first few days of being moved outside.

http://www.bigpumpkins.com/Diary/DiaryViewOne.asp?eid=270975

1/4/2018 9:34:26 AM

The North Coast

I don't have a good explanation for the brown sap. All I know is that it is a natural reaction to damage to the plant. In this case my soil was way too hot under the plastic and these cracks appeared on all plants.

1/8/2018 10:04:19 AM