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Marshall, MI

Im thinking about pulling my 168 Johnsons out of the freezer and crossing a168Johnson x 239 Leonard.
255 Mitchell was 168 Johnson x 157 Bright.Im thinking bigger male polinator might make it even better?
Still will be hard to top Marvins 255.
Also thinking 285 E x239 L. Maby 255M x 285E.
Perhaps 282 Dawson x 168 Johnson or 239 Leonard

12/23/2011 2:58:03 PM

Okla

Bill sounds awesome to me, I always wanted to see that cross. Wonder what the reverse cross would be like 239 X 168?

12/23/2011 3:51:36 PM

Marshall, MI

might be worth a try Thomas.

12/23/2011 4:18:34 PM

formerly RGG

I don't think anyone could argue with you Mr Edwards since you are one of the premier growers and breeders in the giant watermelon growing world.I think both of your proposed crosses would be excellent. I just wonder if anyone has previously made these crosses. Anyway the 168 has great genetics and needs to be grown before the seeds get too old.

12/23/2011 6:31:33 PM

Corryton, TN

Do it! Or 168 J x 285 E, or 168 J x 255 M, or better yet 168 J x 165 C

12/23/2011 6:35:42 PM

Grimsley,TN

Bill if you want to trade any of the 168 or 285 shoot me an email @ clublamb@twlakes.net
Thanks,
John

12/23/2011 7:59:23 PM

South East

how bout sibbing it?

12/23/2011 10:09:01 PM

Lloydminster/AB

I've grown a few melons. I grew the 239 the first year it was in the seed distribution and have been growing its offspring since. The thing I noticed about the 239 is that it doesn't stop growing.... Mid June pollination still growing in October. I think the 168 x 239 cross is ideal!

12/24/2011 12:32:24 PM

Watervalley Ms

Don, do you still see the long growth time in the offspring?

12/24/2011 12:49:42 PM

Lloydminster/AB

Yes. They have been sibbed and selfed, though the weights weren't as high as I'd like because of problems, the last one I grew to 125 lbs was still growing into October even with a spider mite problem that all but killed the plant. That was a mid June pollination. The plant had lots of potential, a set that I made a month later was growing much faster almost catching the first one. The original 239 made it to the 100 lb mark and was growing faster than anything I have ever had untill my soaker hose rotted off the vine a couple of feet from the fruit! the next gen grew for the whole 90 ish days if I remember right. The only thing about the 125 is that I seem to have isolated the "short" trait. If only the thing was 6" longer. Wait I've heard that before somewhere. Lol Merry Xmas !

12/24/2011 11:30:07 PM