From

Location

Message

Date Posted

Linden, Mi.,

To grow that "BIG ONE"
This has most likely been asked before - BUT ?

2/9/2012 6:46:08 PM

Marshall, MI

Yes. I will plant 3 -255s instead of one

2/9/2012 7:54:26 PM

Mt Vernon Ky

I wish I had 1 to plant

2/9/2012 7:57:21 PM

Linden, Mi.,

Bill, Plant my 234 it has the 255 in it

2/9/2012 8:13:19 PM

Muddy Waters

The 260.5 or the 267 is the next best thing Vic. I'm thinking something good will come out of these.

2/9/2012 8:13:59 PM

formerly RGG

1 I will get a soil test done

2 I will protect my plants better from the cold and keep them indoors longer before transplanting them into my garden

3 I will be more diligent with my spray program

4 I am going to try growing some grafted plants

5 I will grow less plant than I did last year

6 I will make better use of my grow lights this year

7 I am going to use drip irrigation

8 I will be using cold frames to keep my plants warm at night, early in the season

9 I have been adding sand to my soil to promote better drainage

10 I am going to put a fence around my garden to keep animals out

2/9/2012 8:43:30 PM

formerly RGG

Mark,I am thinking your 260.5 may be the next hot seed.

2/9/2012 8:49:52 PM

Manchester, TN

I'd love to have a 255 myself, I don't see getting one at auction as long as Mr. money bags from north of the border is bidding.

2/9/2012 8:56:58 PM

Muddy Waters

lol! its great to have such great Club Support!You & Vic want a 255 send me a bubble Mark! 103 W.Sherman st Holly mi.48442.

2/9/2012 9:12:44 PM

Manchester, TN

As far as what I'm doing different, planting earlier, from not knowing any better I've always planted around the first of June. This year I'll have them in the ground by may 1st. I'll also plant fewer plants (8) than in the past. I'm also going to hand pollinate this year, I've always let the bees take care of this. I'm looking more at this hobby now like performance horse breeding. There's no guarantees, but with proper breeding I think I can up my odds of growing the pig of a melon I'm looking for.

2/9/2012 9:18:03 PM

Muddy Waters

I hope your as thrilled with the 255 gift as I am with the 1161 that Mr.money bags gave me.Great Club supporters are true Blue to the Sport.I hope you grow a 300 lb melon JEB & Vic!

2/9/2012 9:43:44 PM

Muddy Waters

Thanks Dennis,I hope your right,I might plant it also lol

2/9/2012 9:45:16 PM

Bowdon, GA

I'm waiting until I learn how to grow a melon before I plant the rest of my 255's LOL.

Use Kocide to prevent stem problems instead of treating them.

Cut leaves away from stump to allow air circulation(before) problems occur.

Let my wind break down when the wind is not blowing

Go back to my old method of using 2X4's or try Kirk's method of supporting melons instead of sand.

2/9/2012 9:47:38 PM

Mt Vernon Ky

Thanks bubble on the way with it and 260 291 178 mudd and afew more and 50 mouse traps I got a shot

2/9/2012 10:47:12 PM

Mt Vernon Ky

Thanks Mark bubble on the way with it and 260 291 178 mudd and afew more and 50 mouse traps I got a shot

2/9/2012 10:50:20 PM

Manchester, TN

You dont even know how happy that makes me. I really want to grow it one time, if I ever have a seed or information you want let me know. I will have a bubble in the mail tomorrow, and I'm shooting for 350, everybody else is wanting 300. Thanks again for the offer, and good luck growing your new pb this year

2/9/2012 10:58:25 PM

Boise City, Oklahoma, USA

Give vine more room.
Work harder with shade cloth.
Start plants earlier.

Hey, with my official melon PB being 2.9 oz, anything will be a new PB !

2/10/2012 12:46:09 AM

Fenton, MI

Bigger hot house to keep plants warmer longer in the spring.

2/10/2012 2:29:08 AM

Muddy Waters

1)Try to win 1st instead of third place! lol
2)Trim plant More
3)Not grow so many plants.

2/10/2012 5:00:46 AM

Muddy Waters

Hey Vic,start trapping those mice now & early sping,I do that with the wood chucks,then there gone when the plants are fruiting.Never found a mouse or evidence of one in the Melon cave.I did however find droppings in a jar baited with D-Con next to my 291 Kent Melon,So Im killing them before they get inside my screen house.also they ate the poison in the jar & didnt touch my (291)198 in the weeds melon.

2/10/2012 7:10:01 AM

Cameron

Anything we can to beat Marv. He kicks our butt every year. I guess that's why we never seen a seed from the 255. You were scared that we'd beat you with your own seed. LOL. Just kidding Marv.

Better late season care & weed control. This is where we lost weight last year.

Jane & Phil

2/10/2012 7:38:18 AM

Southeast Texas

mark that is a great thang you did giving vic and jeb a 255.your a good guy.i dont care what everyone else says about you....dammitt..lol

2/10/2012 1:59:09 PM

formerly RGG

Oh yeah, I will also be adding a truckload of worm casting to my garden this year and I am hoping to go with several grated plants.

2/10/2012 7:26:29 PM

formerly RGG

Marvin, I think you are on the right track with a larger hot house. I am building some 4' x 4' cold-frames to help keep my early growth warmer. I think much of Mark's success was due to his greenhouse. I am also hoping the grafted plants I will be getting will show more vigorous growth under cool soil conditions.

2/10/2012 9:00:05 PM

Muddy Waters

Your right Dennis It was mostly the greenhouse!

2/10/2012 9:08:11 PM

formerly RGG

I just think the greenhouse was a big help Mark. I am not trying to belittle all the hard work you put into growing those huge melons. If it just took a greenhouse, then everyone would have them and we would all be growing huge melons. lol

2/10/2012 10:10:36 PM

formerly RGG

I like your plan for growing on a weigh scale Mark. I think it is really neat. We are all in trouble if your melon outgrows the scale shown in your grower's diary. lol

2/10/2012 11:06:11 PM

Muddy Waters

Thanks Dennis I may grow all three sisters on these scales,but I wont be posting daily weights on my diary.I will save this for the season finally!

2/11/2012 6:51:22 AM

Muddy Waters

Aw Shucks Paul wernt nothing! I gave those seeds away to support the Clubs.I learned this from Bryan& Eddy.When we pay high prices for seeds were supporting the clubs.I heard a guy once say"Why would I buy a seed I will never plant?My thought was to give it away,what goes around,comes around.If I need more 255s I will support a club and a buy a couple more at auction.I dont have a lot of money, but thats ok!Support the sport!I still think if more Heavy Hitters would come bid on seeds so would more little hitters.

2/11/2012 7:05:53 AM

Corryton, TN

I've already joined the Rat Patrol.

Will be trying a different ground cover in hopes of getting some rooting through it. Winter testing looks promising.

Keep the plants sprayed & healthy to the end.

2/11/2012 7:53:58 AM

Corryton, TN

I forgot, "GREAT WHITE"

2/11/2012 7:57:11 AM