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virginia

I got 2 watermelons on one plant. Thats the only plant i planted. 1 watermelon is 51" cir. It is 22 days old.It is growing 5 to 6 pounds a day. Ok the the next one is 49" cir and it is picking up the same weight as the other one. The one that is 51" cir is off the main, but is on a secondairy vine but it only 6 feet from the stump. Ok the 49" cir one is off the back main and that one is 10 feet from the stump. I hate to pull one of those 2. You all think i could get by growing 2 on that plant??? Any help Thanks ,,,,,greg

7/16/2011 11:41:53 AM

Muddy Waters

I would let them both grow if plant is big like 300 sg feet or more,1 will keep chugging 1 will quit early,this is all hypathetical of course!OK now bust my chops guys!!LOL

7/16/2011 12:05:41 PM

Compare the condition of the stem and bottom of each melon. Go with the one with the best stem and bottom.

7/16/2011 12:38:55 PM

formerly RGG

This subject has been beat nearly to death several times on this forum. It's a proven fact you can grow 2 or more huge melons on the same plant.But,there is much belief and speculation that to grow the largest melon possible you should grow only the one best melon per plant. So if you think you can get anywhere close to greatness with one of these melons is it worth taking the risk of losing a pound or a few pounds that could potentially cost you as much as a world record? Let's say the melon was going to grow to 292 pounds and that by keeping the second melon, the best one then was able to grow to only 290 pounds. Is it worth giving up the world record to grow a second melon? This is an extreme example but a very possible one. It sounds like you have a some very nice ones growing and it is understandable very difficult to cull one of them. I have no advice other than to say it is possible your very best results may come from culling down to a single melon on each plant. I will probably grow more than a single melon on some of my plants as I have a lot of plants and some of them are too late to grow a competitive melon anyway. But on the vines where I think I have a chance at winning something I will cull down to a single melon.And I'm not trying to pick a fight Mark.

7/16/2011 12:48:36 PM

formerly RGG

I definitely agree with Mr. Bright.

7/16/2011 12:51:20 PM

sevierville, Tn

Greg, I agree with both Lloyd & Dennis, If you want the biggest possible to the pound, got to go with 1 melon. If 1, the do as Lloyd says. If you want 2 huge melons and a better chance of finishing one, then keep both. How big is your plant ?

7/16/2011 1:36:45 PM

virginia

Chis your 291 is around 300 feet. I keep them cover up only with card board lay on top of them. Im around the house most of the time, because i take care of dad. Dad got alzheimers. Dad hasvent known me for 5 years.So far the card board has done well until the wind blows hard,,,,,,,greg

7/16/2011 4:01:23 PM

In your case, the culled melon will not be a waste. It will still be a good seed melon. The hot seeds for 2012 will very likely be from 291 Kents that were allowed to self pollinate plus your plant is very vigorus if it has two one hundred pound plus melons at 22 days. Keep the bottom of the keeper dry and make sure it is not growing on top of a vine. I hope you grow a record melon for your dad.

7/16/2011 5:43:54 PM

virginia

LloydB...I have got sand under the two melons now. Should i put something else under them???? Thank for everybodys help.

7/16/2011 6:23:33 PM

Muddy Waters

If it grows on top of a vine does this cause the vine to rot??

7/16/2011 6:25:14 PM

Watervalley Ms

Hi John boy you may want to shade and protect your melon with something more than the card board on top better to be safe than sorry. I hope you do great, sounds great so far Jerry

7/16/2011 7:00:44 PM

Greg-
Sand works well for most growers. Sand drains well and helps in keeping the bottoms dry.

Mark-
In our area, big melons rot on the bottoms at points where they are growing on top of vines.

7/16/2011 8:54:24 PM

Muddy Waters

If I have a vine growing under a plastic matt & melons not in contact with vine,Is this a problem??

7/16/2011 9:43:20 PM

formerly RGG

John, I am very sorry to read about your dad's condition. My mom is in early stages of dementia and I know how difficult things must be for you. He will surely be in a better place soon. Good luck with everything.

7/16/2011 9:43:58 PM

formerly RGG

John,if you can find some boards to let your melon sit on, that will almost always prevents rot from occuring.

7/16/2011 9:47:51 PM

Mark, I don't have any experience in using plastic mats with watermelons. I have experience in growing watermelons on top of vines. You are ok while the melons are small but they will get belly rot at the point of contact as they get really large.

7/16/2011 10:40:55 PM

Bowdon, GA

Thick bed of sand works well, and the old 2X4 trick works good too. Ony remember having 1 rot since using them.

7/17/2011 12:11:50 AM

Muddy Waters

Thanks Lloyd.I have a new product im trying,used it last year,keeps melon dry for sure.I have a vine running under matt its a finger vine I stripped the leaves off,I may terminate vine when plant is large enough,But was hoping for a better shape to show up its a big egg melon!Thanks for feedback!

7/17/2011 6:02:49 AM

virginia

Thanks for the replys. Good luck to u all. TD Thanks for your kind words. Yes its VERY hard job. Dad will be 89 in august.,,,,,greg

7/18/2011 11:34:02 AM

virginia

Thanks for the replys. Good luck to u all. TD Thanks for your kind words. Yes its VERY hard job. Dad will be 89 in august.,,,,,greg

7/18/2011 11:34:02 AM