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Trinity River Bottom

Is it the critical time or not?

7/11/2011 3:13:43 PM

formerly RGG

I think the younger a melon the more critical the growth period. To the extent that even the time before pollination may be the most critical of all. If you do not start with a good shape you will not end with a good shape is a fair statement I think. Lloyd Bright thinks that lots of heat during early growth leads to longer melons. And all you need to be competitive is long and fat.And certainly the later days of a melons growth is important but once it's growth begins slowing down there is little you can do to stimulate it back into more rapid growth. During early growth stages you can pour on the ferts and often kick growth rates up a notch or two.

7/11/2011 5:32:02 PM

Muddy Waters

Surely a Dud or a Stud first few weeks should tell!!

7/11/2011 6:20:26 PM

Bethlehem CT

That is interesting about the long melons and heat. I have noticed that most of the really long melons come from the south. They are rare for me.

7/12/2011 5:30:40 PM

Garner, NC

I agree that early growth is critical, but I believe the the last 30 days is where you win it.

7/12/2011 11:08:03 PM

Muddy Waters

I just pollinated a 3 cent.on the 255, course it is in the mid 90s in my greenhouse & I do live on the south end of town!LOL

7/13/2011 6:32:36 AM

Bowdon, GA

Intersting, most of my best ones have been 37-40" long. But never got the girth I needed to get a real monster. But I think it maybe from sticking to the old southern tradition of picking the long "looking" one.

7/13/2011 2:30:38 PM

sevierville, Tn

Its all important, but if you don't finish(d50+) you won't reach the melons full potential. The 291 was 190 at day 50 ! By the chart & the way i was measuring, it added 85 lbs. after D 50

7/13/2011 3:42:35 PM

Trinity River Bottom

So if someone is after the WR they need to be over 200 lbs. at 50 days

7/13/2011 4:11:04 PM

sevierville, Tn

You don't have to be over, but need to be close & growing good at that age.

7/14/2011 3:04:26 PM

Bowdon, GA

Todd is correct, Chris really shines the last 30 days. 85 pounds after day 50 is insane. Most of us are just trying to keep them alive at that point. But early is critical too. 10days at 6 pounds a day and 10 days at 4 pounds a day is 20 pounds difference in little over a week. Can't get that back.

7/15/2011 10:47:35 AM

Owensboro, Ky.

TD, Early growth is mostly genetic? Lloyd says heat @ early stages makes longer melons? What is the secrect to makin em Phat? LOL Just kiddin!! Peace, Wayne

7/16/2011 5:33:40 PM

formerly RGG

I think the secret to making melons fat is a well fed and well developed root system with plenty of moisture available and vines that are kept to a size that won't stress the roots. I have had skinny melons in the past and if my theory is correct I will have fat melons this year.So far my melons are looking fat.

7/16/2011 9:51:58 PM

formerly RGG

To get to world record size I believe all stages of growth are important. Chris got the world record last year with a vine that remained vigorous until after the melon was picked. The year before he had some great results but could have done better except for the fact that his vines were down to so few leaves he could count them. I am sure growth was fairly slow at that point and would have been somewhat better had the vines been in better health.Wayne, I believe early growth is more a result of growing conditions than anything else. You can have vigorous vines with just about any combination of genetics I think.

7/16/2011 9:58:13 PM

Bowdon, GA

Hey Wayne, The last 30 days is how you make them fat.

7/17/2011 12:15:36 AM

formerly RGG

Jake, I respectfully disagree. The last 30 days is when growth is slowing and a skinny melon won't become fat looking in the last 30 days. And they are still getting a bit longer in the last 30 days also. I think Carolina Cross melons will grow and fatten up some; but pretty much retain the shape they have already achieved during the last 30 days of growth.

7/17/2011 6:54:46 AM

Bowdon, GA

You maybe right Dennis I could be wrong as I have before, but seems like the percentage of length to girth growth favors length in the first half and girth in the second. I do agree that a skinny melon won't get fat and that they do get longer. I'm taking an recording measurments a little closer this year, so maybe we'll know for sure.

7/17/2011 4:01:19 PM

formerly RGG

Well stated Jake.

7/18/2011 11:21:36 AM