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Eastern Shore of VA

Looking for any advice for a stump cover for my plants.
We are expecting 1-2 inches of rain tommorow , and chance of T- storms all week.
I tried a fold up card table with no success.
I currently have a pallet on top of 2 cinderblocks for two of them and a couple of 2 x 6 boards on blocks for another. This was a quick fix with the materials I had on hand.
Any recommendations for something permanent ?

6/1/2015 8:59:21 PM

formerly RGG

A big rain shouldn't hurt your plants as long as you have good drainage and a good spray program you are keeping up with. I have a piece of framed glass out of a storm window I am using from time to time to cover my stump. I am sitting it on top of 4 large plastic pots spaced around the stump. I lay a brick on top at each corner to keep it in place if there is a strong wind gust.I use glass so I can see how the stump is doing and I think some sunlight is good for the stump. I will leave this on full time after the plant gets larger. Later I will add a small fan to help keep it very dry.I will try to get a picture up for you soon in my growers diary.

6/1/2015 9:12:45 PM

sevierville, Tn

Its been very rare for me to need a cover for melons. Only if there is a problem have i used one. I agree with Dennis.."as long as you have good drainage and a good spray program" you shouldn't have a problem. Whatever you use, clear is best and make sure its doesn't blow away. It doesn't need to be big, maybe 12-15 inches each way.

6/1/2015 9:58:08 PM

Eastern Shore of VA

Thanks for the input.
I've heard horror stories of stump rot,and this is my first year, so I'm being "really anal" according to my wife.LOL
TD,You've been helpful ever since I joined the forum here.
Chris,I am growing your 251.
Very aggressive plant.
Went out in patch before the others.
Bigger then 2 other plants that were older.
Slowed with the cool nights,giving the inside plants a chance to catch up before they were planted out.
Has caught up and vine growth has exceeded 20 inches in 6 days,averaging just under 4 inches a day.

6/1/2015 11:27:46 PM

sevierville, Tn

The grafted melons are prone to stump rot. Like all except one that i have grown. I have had only 1 regular melon stump rot.
They don't like cool/cold weather.
If you have any questions, post pictures, that makes it alot easier.

6/2/2015 6:17:56 AM

formerly RGG

I am growing my one and possibly only vine that won't be bothered by groundhogs this year in the same space I lost my grafted plant that was growing a nice melon last year. The plant developed stump rot and eventually stem rot.My growing medium is 3 truckloads of fresh horse manure and two truckloads of mushroom compost with sand and gravel added.Disease is much more likely when your organic levels get higher than is generally recommended and my levels must be very high. I have not gotten a melon to a GPC event in the last tow seasons, and so I will be over protective of this melon and use a cover and a fan.

6/2/2015 7:31:51 AM

Home of happy lil plants

Don't let vines cover stump in a rediculous amount or you get rot too......Whoopsie

6/2/2015 11:31:40 AM

formerly RGG

And also try to keep all of your dead leaves trimmed off as they may spread rot as they begin to decay.

6/2/2015 12:28:06 PM

formerly RGG

And be especially careful to keep the vine between the stump and your melon clear of anything that could start rot.

6/2/2015 12:29:43 PM

Eastern Shore of VA

Well, I took a page out of Todd Dawson's play book.
My patch has landscape fabric with drip lines underneath, and is completely covered with pine straw.
I have a grower diary going, but I'm not sure that picture has been posted yet.
I've used wheat straw in years past on my regular melons, but I've stopped that because black widow spiders seem to enjoy that in late summer.
I rotate fungicides with Daconil,and manzecob.
Use Neem oil as insecticide right now, but I do have some malathion if I need it.

6/2/2015 7:06:46 PM