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Bethlehem CT

I have one of my CCxJBD plants on a sponge gourd root stock. It is far less vigorous than the other rootstocks. (Such as Lagenaria or interspecific squash) That being said, I think it definitely has some useful properties. For example on a dwarf plant I have had far less work to do. It has produced very few melons to cull. I think all the energy is going to the big melon. It is one of my biggest and it seems to be getting wider and wider (not longer). I haven't taken measurements yet. I will report on dimensions later. I was expecting sponge gourds to be a complete waste of time but I think that they may have uses. If you have limited space or if you would like an easier to maintain plant, sponge gourd is definitely worth giving a try.

8/17/2018 1:48:51 PM

Princeton Kentucky

Will be interesting indeed to see what she does John. Keeper going!

8/17/2018 3:49:21 PM

Eastern Shore of VA

Please keep us posted John.
That could potentially be a nice idea for someone like me.
I don’t have a whole lot of room.
Could be ideal !

8/17/2018 5:48:26 PM

central Nc

Hey big moon, are you using luffa aegyptiaca? I have a boatload of those seeds if anybody needs some.

8/17/2018 5:53:59 PM

Bethlehem CT

Yes, they are from the luffa gourd. I grew some back in 2007 and I still have tons of sponges and seeds from then. Surprisingly they still germinated for me.

8/17/2018 8:35:10 PM

simpson,KS

My biggest melon so far has a Queensland Blue squash rootstock. The seed was about the size of a nice fat melon seed and has worked out fine.There has been very few culls thankgod as the other melons have culls everyday. Hard to keep up! The 316 Dawson plant I have I counted over 100 culls laying around and that's the one's that havn't shivled up. I think there are many other rootstock to be explored right now and will be interesting to see the results!
Maybe there should be a line on the GPC form for type of rootstock used! LOL

8/19/2018 10:12:31 AM

formerly RGG

Bigmelons, it would certainly be good information for aspiring growers to know what rootstock the heavy hitters grew their melons on. It will probably not happen for a long time but it is a good idea if we assume we are tying to help one another,

8/19/2018 9:49:26 PM

The North Coast

Good work big moon. Very interesting.

8/19/2018 10:32:35 PM