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formerly RGG

I have always heard that Carolina Cross watermelons will grow for up to about 90 days. Well Bill Nuptune said his 252 was still growing 3/4 pound/day at 104 days post pollination.Find what he had to say here:http://www.ovgpg.com/documents/articles/ovgpg2-11.pdf. If this is true it may perhaps a good thing to start a bit earlier if you think you are able to sustain your vines long enough to keep a melon growing for that long.Heck, I think Chris could have easily passed the 300 pound mark last year if he had left his 291 on the vine for 104 days or so and it had remained sound because his vine was still quite healthy when the melon was picked.

3/31/2011 12:12:06 AM

Trinity River Bottom

I believe this is a genetic trait that we will be looking for in the near future . As melons get bigger and bigger. We will be wanting these melons to grow way past the 100 day mark . In a few years say 115 to 120 days.

3/31/2011 9:33:38 AM

Rochester, Minnesota

Actually I would prefer larger and stronger plants that put the weight on faster, verses elongating the growing season. My season really comes to an end suddenly around here.

3/31/2011 10:29:48 AM

formerly RGG

I see your point James. Seems like this trait might just give southerners another advantage. I have lots of respect for you northern growers. I mean you grow some awesome melons up there in spite of some very big challenges.

3/31/2011 9:33:10 PM

Muddy Waters

with greenhouses we can extend our season & start early to,My cover is going on this weekend,I can have it 90 in there with 60s & 70s,1000 sg feet heats a big spot in a patch,should even help surrounding plants.Wish me luck!!!

3/31/2011 9:44:38 PM

Dover,il

i have found that for about two weeks before i plant in the ground i through black tarp across my patch it increases the ground tempature i start my melons in a green house about a week before the tarp. the black tarp goes over the patch on tuesday i will be planted by the middle of april i will not stop growing till the melon is no longer growing at all which last year is about 110 days for the eatin melons i grew last year which were only supposed to get to fifty pounds and i pushed them to 80lbs so that extra wait is not a bad idea i am new at compitetion melons though so i could be wrong

4/3/2011 10:39:36 AM

Bowdon, GA

Kevo that tarps a good idea. Also might help to shed some off the spring rains, keep the soil from getting soggy.

4/3/2011 7:03:44 PM