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Akron,N.Y.

Is there more to growing these giants than just having good seed, good soil and leaving one or two on the vine? also,what kind of pest and disease bother them?

Thanks

9/11/2012 9:55:48 PM

Princeton Kentucky

A few things that "I" can personaly add to your understanding of these lopes is that they do like regular watering. Letting them go "totally" dry does stress them alot. Covering the melon itself with a cover of some sort, Cloth, etc., keeps the outer layer from sun burning and more less likely to split. Good seed, good soil, 0-0-25 potash after fruit set, (a soil test related to Cantaloupe is a must in my book). Cantaloupe are demanding of nutrients like with most any fruit bearing vined plant. Vine borers really don't bother the plant much if any but cucumber beetles and white flies love the fruit and they can kill or stunt a cantaloupe and the plant in a 2 week time frame my experience. I spray neem oil and Seven when the plants get around five permenant leaves for a pest preventive maintenance. I don't have to worry about chemicals and can still eat the lopes that I want to. Cut worms will attack the plants at a young age too. Where I'm at in midwest Illinois I've never had disease issues so I can't relate there for you (Knock on Wood) Knock, Knock,lol. Cantaloupe love loamy sandy soil..so if you can add sand to your soil do it, but check with a soil services agronamist in your area if you can..they will usually help you understand and how to adjust your soil at no out of pocket cost. Over the winter read online about "growing conditions for cantaloupes, theres alot of good info out there from university studies and ag research teams. More importantly "I Think." Ask Holloway and other growers on here questions..they are all good people and very knowlegable (Like you did with your post here). Also I did spray 12 percent mollases down on the cantaloupe patch as well as the Pumpkin patches early at around the end of march or early april to kind of jump start the bugs and bios in the soil. The North Carolina Giants Lopes are pretty much maintenance free thats good for someone like myself.!!! sorry for the novel, Good Luck

9/12/2012 8:00:29 AM

Johnston, Iowa

While I am still a rookie at giant cantaloupes, my experience is that they are a tougher/less sensitive plant that pumpkins with less disease issues. One issue I've had is as soon as they begin to be ripe the aromatic smell they give off draws in deer from miles around. Also seems like there is a fair amount of variability in the onset of yellowing which is another indicator of ripeness.

9/12/2012 9:20:20 AM

Akron,N.Y.

Thanks alot for all the info Joseph and Dan! It might not seem like much to you guys but that is way more than I knew.I'll probably ask a question here and there thoroughout the winter as I think of them like you said.
I wouldn't mind if the deer came around during open season but thats probably way after the fruit is ripe.
I've had problems with squash bugs on my pumpkins and other squash,would they bother lopes? I'm going to put the Neem and Sevin like you said.
How much and how often do you put the Potash on?
Are the very good to eat? Do they taste like normal size ones?
I know what you mean about the smell because I pulled into a roadside stand and could smell them from 10 feet away.
Thanks again guys
Gene

9/12/2012 9:01:29 PM

Piqua, Ohio

geno
when I send you seeds I'll send care instructions that will get you a big one I have the Ohio State record and will beat it again this saturday when seeds dry I'll get bubbles out

9/12/2012 9:17:41 PM

Bowdon, GA

Your getting good tips here. The lopes are more diesease resistant than melons and pumpkins. Same pests affect them though minus borers. Lopes don't drain your nutrients to the extent melons and kins do, and have a shorter growing period. So if you start out with a great soil report, little fertilizer is needed. Days to ripening seems to be related to the ambient tempreture. Cover well. Maintain consistant watering to avoid splits. Use castor oil pellets to deter pests, and keep an eye out for any yellow color it will be ready soon.

9/12/2012 10:05:21 PM

Bowdon, GA

Most of mine that are watered correctly are not very sweet. They are ussually sweeter under drier conditions.

9/12/2012 10:07:30 PM

Smithville, Tn

One day they are green, the next day they are yellow and the next day they are fly soup. Of course that makes seed collection a little easier, just pour through a strainer!!

9/12/2012 11:31:59 PM

El Paso TX.

Yep -- they do turn quickly especially in warmer weather once they get close you really have to keep an eye on them.

@mousey -- Sorry to see that split you had in your Diary and so close to making it to Bear Wallow but it still is a very nice lope and a great achievement for a first year grow !!

9/13/2012 10:14:08 AM

Western N.Y.

Gene, I grew a giant loupe for the first time this year, and improved the State record, which is now 33.3. The plant is still doing well, and currently has a 16 pounder growing on it. If you want to get in touch and see the plant before the frost comes along, shoot me an e-mail, I'm about 40 min east of you. Brian. wbkibler@aol.com

9/13/2012 11:04:29 AM

Akron,N.Y.

Josh- thanks for the seed offer ! I'm looking forward to getting them.Holloway sent me some great ones and it might be fun to cross them.
JD and Mousey- I bought a lope and tried waiting til it got real ripe and it sure did,wasn't worth eating.
BK- thanks for the offer,I'd love to see your garden ,shooting you a text.
Thanks everyone
Gene

9/14/2012 9:26:44 PM