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Pleasant View, TN

What is a good rule of thumb on how long you let a melon stay on the vine after growth stops to make sure it doesnt start again?

8/22/2012 9:53:13 AM

formerly RGG

I would leave the melon on the vine until it is time to cut it to take to a weigh-off. That is unless the vine is completely dead; in which case I would find a large cooler to store it in. If not aiming for a weigh-off; I think a week without any growth would be enough to convince me it wasn't going to grow any more.

8/22/2012 2:46:38 PM

Muddy Waters

3 days in less you think they may bulk up internally like kins do.If you leave it on the plant continue to water the plant or it may suck water from the fruit if needed for plant growth.

8/22/2012 6:07:26 PM

Corryton, TN

Had one to measure the same for 4 days last year, then it either started again or I started measuring better.

8/22/2012 7:00:56 PM

Pleasant View, TN

Thanks Gentlemen! Advice much appreciated! Looks like Ill be pulling my 1st melon tomorrow night! My other is still growing 3-4 inches weekly so im gonna let it keep creeping along!

8/23/2012 8:31:18 AM

formerly RGG

Just remember that each inch of OTT growth equals a little more weight than the last inch as the melons get bigger.

8/23/2012 9:13:00 AM

Pleasant View, TN

I will! Im hoping to set a new personal best with one of my two melons maybe both! Id love to join the 200 lb club in only my 2nd year of doing this on my own.

8/23/2012 10:24:51 AM

formerly RGG

So what is your PB madcar ? Mine is 207 from 2009 and I think I will beat that this year if I am able to keep my best melon sound until the weigh-off I decide to take it to.

8/23/2012 5:06:43 PM

South Arkansas

If you are trying for a personal best, why not leave both in the garden? If you really think one has stopped growing, this is a good opportunity to try to get a few extra pounds by adding an amendment you might not try otherwise. You could add what you think might be depleted using a foliar spray in moderation. If you pull the melon, it will never get any larger but if you leave it on the vine, you have a chance it will pick back up. If it has a green stem and a solid bottom and still pings like a green melon when slapped, I would leave it on the vine and try to get it going again.

8/23/2012 9:57:16 PM

Muddy Waters

Great idea Llyod try calcium on that baby.I'm using calcium this year for the first time on kins & melons.I'm getting good results there's no bumps on my melons this year,which I was told means air developing in the melons.Keep her going and keep the woodchuck traps loaded with cabbage.I found out this year they love cabbageso do the oppossum's trapped 2 this week.

8/24/2012 5:26:03 AM

Pleasant View, TN

TD: My personal best is 189lbs last year when i pulled it for the state fair and i placed 4th, but by the time Allardt rolled around it weighed in at 179. It was my first year of growing them on my own at my own house and i only had one melon. I have helped my dad (Freddie Burcham)for as long as i can remember. Last year i decided it was time to grow my own. This year i had 3 melons. I lost 1 to who knows what but the 2 i have left are giants for me. I would be willing to try anything to get it going again but how long is to long before its doing more harm than good. It hasnt grown any in 10 days now and im worried it may start going backwards!

8/24/2012 9:29:27 AM

formerly RGG

It will not go backwards as long as the vine and stem are not completely dead. My 204 from last year kept putting on a little weight even after almost all the leaves on the plant had died.I think it had only 5 or 6 very puny leaves left. As you know, picking the melon will definitely cause it to lose weight.If it was me, I would keep the melon covered and protected as well as possible and leave it on the vine knowing that it might grow a little and even if the melon is dead to the vine and roots it will not lose any more weight sitting there than it would sitting somewhere else.

8/24/2012 8:30:14 PM

Muddy Waters

TDs right they loose weight fast off the vine my 219 last year weighed 224 when I picked it 10 days later 5lbs gone.My 228 should of left on the vine it would of grown another 10 to 15 lbs.

8/24/2012 8:40:43 PM