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Ohio

Well after several years of growing the best hybrods out there for quality watermelons, and Charentais melons, and Ananas type melons, and having them *all* wilt right after fruit set, and thinking it may be bacterial wilt spread by cuke beetles, I finally decided it has to be fusarium wilt of some sort. Its always 100%, and seeing that watermelon is supposedly "immune" to bacterial wilt, it makes me certain its soilborne.
So, I know how to do grafts of seedlings, but where does one get rootstocks like Shintosa Camel or RS841 (C. maxima X C. moschata)? I only see wholesale dealers talk about it, doesn't anyone just have a packet or two of seeds for good cucurbit rootstock?
This would solve all melon problems for us, but no idea where to get seeds for rootstocks..
In studies they seem to use these two interspecific hybrids for melons, cukes, and watermelons.

5/7/2015 2:10:09 AM

Bethlehem CT

SSP, As far as I know you will have to work with the large wholesalers to get a commercial Maxima x moschata rootstock. 'Tetsukabota' is an intergeneric squash cross that should work for what you are trying to do. Here is a source;
https://www.nicholsgardennursery.com/store/product-info.php?Squash_Tetsukabuto-pid1592.html
Also when ordering watermelons, many varieties carry very good fusarium resistance. I would look to grow those in the spots where you know fusarium will be a problem.

5/7/2015 7:10:46 AM

formerly RGG

If you buy commercially like I once did, your minimum purchase will likely be 1000 seeds. Mine have all been given away. If you do buy 1000 I would like to purchase a few from you, if you are over stocked.

5/7/2015 7:48:25 AM

The North Coast

Results have been mixed at best with grafting Carolina cross. From going very light to a great number of them having stumps blowing up. Grafting of this variety is not for the faint of heart. Chances are very good that they will not give you the result you were hoping for. With that warning being said they have also produced a few of the largest melons in recent years. It is boom or bust and it hurts me to admit this reality.

TD if you bubble me I can send you a large amount. Then you will have more to distribute to the folks that would like to try it out. I'll Facebook you my address. I am trying to peel myself away from trying to make this concept work. Over the years it has occupied a good deal of time and space in my head.

As said above, finding seed is limited to C. Ficifolia from Johnny's or by sweet talking seed distributors for other varieties. Kanda seeds does have one seed seller on the west coast that handles their U.S. seed needs. You can research them to find the source.

This year I grew a few mother plants out to the point that they vined out. I then would use the vine tips to provide the scions for grafting. This method takes much more time but MAY eliminate the possibility of the stump exploding. The stumps fail in the same way, in the same spot. This method does eliminate the "spot" on the scion that is prone to fail. I have one of these grafts that will see dirt this year and another very good grower is trying this technique out too. It may be very promising. I named this technique vine grafting. Good luck to everyone growing these beautiful fruit this year.

5/7/2015 10:02:32 AM

The North Coast

SSP. If you confirm your email I will make some strongtosa or shintosa camelforce available to you. If you are trying to make money growing melons I have an unopen envelope with over 1000 that I will give you to help you out.

5/7/2015 10:09:42 AM

Vermont

Hi Batcave, if you have enough extra to spare could I get some Strongtosa and Shintosa camelforce also please? thanks

5/7/2015 11:50:20 AM

Ohio

Hi all,
My watermelons aren't for competition or money, actually they are just a few plants grown for flavor and quality, they are Sangria and Shiny Boy for watermelons, then Charentais open pollinated (a rare French melon), and a hybrid of an ananas type melon which is one of the sweetest ever grown, Dove Hybrid.
I have tried all of these for the last 2 years, with 100% failure (yes, 100%), due to plant wilt after fruit set. Has to be fusarium or something else soil borne. Sure there are resistant hybrids, but you give up quality for a slight improvement in resistance. Whereas grafting is virtually soil disease-immune, *plus* performance increase, on top of being able to grow the true superior strain/hybrid.
I would not grow CC on a regular rootstock, seems like a total mismatch. Has anyone tried CC on an AG rootstock?
Seems more appropriate of a workload match.
The varieties of melons I'm trying to grow have been tested on the Shintosa Camel (not sure of that is the same as "Camelforce"?), as well as the RS 841 (both C. maxima X C. moschata), and had extremely positive results.
Heck, just to get the immunity to wilts would be huge!
Johnny's seems to carry the inferior rootstock, I know Shintosa Camel should perform well for me, but what is Strongtosa? (renamed RS841, maybe?)... and is there a difference between Camel and Camelforce?
If anyone does have any seeds for these rootstocks please do let me know (sspproduction@gmail.com ), I'd love to give the grafting a try and see what happens!

5/8/2015 1:19:48 AM

South Arkansas

ssp - If you are trying for disease prevention, you will need to assure that no vines develop roots that go into the infected soil.

5/8/2015 8:40:27 PM

formerly RGG

That is a good point Lloyd. I hadn't thought about that before.I guess that is how Mr Bartoli grows his grafted plants. So I wonder how commercial grafted growers keep their plants from rooting other than below the stump.

5/10/2015 5:41:50 AM

Piqua, Ohio

I use the heaviest landscape fabric I can get. Water will go through, but the roots don't.

5/10/2015 10:38:52 AM

Ohio

Most of our melons are trellised and black plastic mulch is used (actually for some we use a silver reflective mulch, it deters cuke beetles and aphids and reflects more light up onto the plant leaves.

5/10/2015 7:37:15 PM

Ohio

Does anyone know how to contact BatCaveN8? Please forward him my replies about the rootstock, if so! Thanks!

5/11/2015 2:29:23 AM

formerly RGG

I think Nate is going to forward me most of his rootstock seeds. I will be happy to help you out after they arrive. I will try to let you know when they arrive.

5/11/2015 8:24:40 AM

The North Coast

Confirm what your email is and then I can contact you.

5/11/2015 8:27:24 AM

Ohio

My email: sspproduction@gmail.com
He mentioned sending some shintosa/strongtosa to me above, (I only need a dozen or two), and asked for my email.
The sooner I can get them the better, have to start them extremely soon here. If he already sent to you then let me know how I can obtain a few. If not, please let him know so a few can be sent direct. Like I said I only need a small amount.. a dozen or two seeds. Just need to obtain them soon.

5/11/2015 6:09:57 PM

Ohio

Ah Nate, there you are! Email provided above. Thanks! :)

5/11/2015 6:12:18 PM