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Chaparral Nm

What did I do wrong.....?........fertilizer was miracle grow....What to try next year?...Charlie

10/2/2011 8:53:54 PM

formerly RGG

One way to help sweeten a melon is to not water much around the time it is getting ripe. Did you let the melon grow to maturity? They won't be sweet if they are picked too soon.Did the vine remain healthy through the life cycle of the plant? A unhealthy plant will not yield a sweet melon. Did the plant get plenty of sunshine. That is important for the development of a sweet fruit. Did you have good drainage ? Plant roots will be unhealthy if they don't get plenty of oxygen. It is really difficult to diagnose this problem without knowing the conditions the plant was exposed to.

10/2/2011 9:10:17 PM

formerly RGG

I believe I would read through seed catalogs and see what is extra sweet and recommended for my area. Starting as early as possible might help some.I think melon plants are at their best during the longest days of the year.Do you practice good weed control? The plants won't do their best if they have to compete with weeds for sun and water and nutrients.Was there perhaps a insect or disease problem that you didn't notice?

10/2/2011 9:27:07 PM

Muddy Waters

When did u plant?Days to majurity is on seed pack,count the days on your calender,mark the day they should be done.Then if they look like there done growing pick one,& see if ripe.if not wait 4 or 5 days & try another.This has always worked well for me.If they go more than a week without water,more then once,they may not be sweet.

10/3/2011 7:11:40 AM