From

Location

Message

Date Posted

Winnipeg, Manitoba

What do most watermelon growers tend to graft with their plants - Watermelon & watermelon plant? Watermelon & sunflower plant? Watermelon & long gourd plant??

As well, I assume the two plants of your choosing to graft together should roughly be the same age? Plus or minus a week?

Finally, does anyone know the largest watermelon grown that wasn't grafted? Just curious. I imagine the 350.5 Kent was a graft?

Thanks!

12/23/2018 12:59:18 AM

Winnipeg, Manitoba

Sorry for all the questions - just trying to absorb as much info as I can. This summer's going to be my first shot at melons.

12/23/2018 1:01:06 AM

Eastern Shore of VA

I think bushel gourd is a preferred root stock for grafting.
I will admit I am not totally up to speed on it.
Been a couple years since I planted giant melons.
Keep losing the plants to GSB no matter how diligent my spray program.
Thinking about trying a grafted this year as well.

12/23/2018 8:12:48 AM

Liberty nc

Rampart an bushel are the most that are used. Grafting times depends a lot on what rootstock you are using along with what method. The most easiest way to go is hole insertion. There are some really good videos on YouTube that shows you the process. The giant watermelon growers Facebook Paige has a very good paper in the files folder on different types of grafting an rootstock.

12/23/2018 12:42:23 PM

Winnipeg, Manitoba

Thanks!

12/23/2018 3:10:00 PM

East Tennessee

I believe the 316 Edwards is the largest traditionally grown melon.

12/23/2018 3:49:08 PM

Bethlehem CT

Sometimes it can very difficult to get the rootstock and the scion to match up, I use the hole insertion graft if there is a great size difference between the rootstock and the melon (scion). The single cot graft is also a favorite grafting technique as long as there isn't a huge size difference between the rootstock and the scion. (watermelon).

12/24/2018 12:09:03 PM

Bethlehem CT

Sometimes it can very difficult to get the rootstock and the scion to match up, I use the hole insertion graft if there is a great size difference between the rootstock and the melon (scion). The single cot graft is also a favorite grafting technique as long as there isn't a huge size difference between the rootstock and the scion. (watermelon).

12/24/2018 12:09:09 PM

Bethlehem CT

I use these grafting clips on both the hole insertion method and the single (side) cotyledon graft. I originally bought them for just doing the side cotyledon graft but I found out they helped improve my success on the hole insertion as well.
https://www.harrisseeds.com/products/40863-Grafting-Clips-Spring-Loaded?variant=28921318353&gclid=Cj0KCQiApILhBRD1ARIsAOXWTzs65ST6KkSwrKHdBDxwHCKzkUXBejBGA05JnKGOm3mHDv_Y9BzBktAaAv1NEALw_wcB

12/24/2018 12:12:40 PM