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Deep South, USA

I posted this message (more or less) in an earlier thread, but it seems it might have been missed.

I've got a small melon that is fading to yellow in the stem end left side. It's now 47 days old, and OTT is only 72.25 as of yesterday.

I've found squash bugs in the vicinity, and the feeder vine has dead leaves going back toward the stump. I suspect they may have seriously injured the vine. The melon seems good and solid on the outside though.

The tendril at the stem is also brown, but I remember last year have melons with a brown tendril at the stem that were still green. Should I consider pulling it? I wanted to let it go to at least 60 days, but if it's breaking down internally that might be too late.

This melon was supposed to be for seed saving. If I pull it @ 47 days, what are my chances of getting viable seed? Is there a chance it might even be edible?

8/18/2010 2:19:33 PM

sevierville, Tn

If the vine & stem are still heathly, & its growing , i'd leave it. At 47 days the seeds are good, but are they good seeds ?? Its probally ripe enought to eat, maybe not fully ripe, but enough. A picture would help.

8/18/2010 2:49:12 PM

Garner, NC

Hey Yoshi, I mailed your bubble back yesterday, slam full of seeds for you. You should recieve it in the mail by tommorrow. There are some good seeds in there, plus in a few months people here on the board, I'm sure, will help you out also with seeds.
From what I saw this year, if squash bugs infected your plant, it's done. Sorry to say that, but it happened to me also.
Also do you have your melon shaded, if not the sun can yellow them really quick?

8/18/2010 3:17:35 PM

Deep South, USA

Thank you Ice Man, I'm excited about the seeds, and looking forward to trying them next year :).

IIRC, I started this melon as a seed saver before I knew about the forum. I'm hoping to use it to practice seed saving, as it has a good chance of being pure. It's the only melon its age that hasn't been culled so far.

I despise squash bugs. They took after my plants late last year. In a way, I fear them more than I do other forms of disease/vectors. I've noticed my plants this year are losing their leaves closer to the stump. Since they are over three months old, it is unclear whether advanced age, bugs or pathogens are getting the whole plant complex. It may be a combination of factors.

I've posted pictures of the melon to the gallery, not sure when they will be up. It has not been shaded.

It's a cute little thing, but not of course what one expects from Carolina Cross.

8/18/2010 4:23:01 PM

Rochester, Minnesota

Yoshi, I hope no one ever describes my carolina cross melons using the words "cute little thing". I think I would be depressed. If it's turning yellow, then it's becoming mush inside. If all you want is seeds, then let it go. If you want to eat it, then pick it. I almost never see a yellowing melon at competitions.

8/18/2010 4:37:49 PM

Frankfort Oh

lol,mmm

8/18/2010 4:39:44 PM

sevierville, Tn

Yoshi, looks ok for now. Next year...don't grow in the grass !
If you have bigger plants = better females = better melons !

8/18/2010 8:39:34 PM

Deep South, USA

The thought of squash bugs destroying the vine, and possibly the melon too, made me so nervous I went ahead and pulled it.

When I cut it open this morning, I was surprised to find it somewhat overripe. The plant must have sensed trouble and accelerated the ripening. I thought it wouldn't even be fully ripe for another 2 weeks at least.

Final OTT was 72.75". Length was about 10 1/4", Girth 26 7/8". My scale weighed it at a whopping 12.4 lbs. Taste was a little bitter, but could have been much worse. In fact, it wasn't the worst watermelon I ever ate.

I know overripe isn't the best news for saving seeds, but I'm going to try and save some anyway. I don't plan to grow melons from them next year, however.

I'm wondering about OTT. OTT to actual weight for this melon is roughly a 6:1 ratio. Larger OTT's have a lower ratio to estimated weight.

I've got a couple of melons left on the vine, but growth seems to have slowed down. I really made a mess of things this year, but I intend to do better next time. My biggest mistake I think was growing in a spot I couldn't easily keep free of weeds. Second biggest was planting them all together. Could be a toss-up though.

Things are looking up. Seeds from Ice Man arrived today. Thank you, Ice Man, for also providing a record on the packets. I'm glad to have the heritage information at hand.

I plan to have a proper watermelon plot next year. The trouble is finding suitable soil. I've got plenty of red sand, but it's not in a location where I can keep a watch for garden saboteurs. Looks like it may be a massive operation to build a plot this fall. When should I select and prepare the plot?

8/19/2010 2:46:07 PM

Garner, NC

Hey Yoshi, good luck with the seeds. As far as beginnig for next year I started about a month ago in my head, and as soon as my plants are finished, I will start tearing up land and adding amendments for 2011. Just hang around here and ask and listen and you'll be ready for 2011.

8/19/2010 2:55:00 PM

sevierville, Tn

Yes start prep for next year as early as possible. A new spot takes some work to get the soil right.

8/19/2010 10:39:40 PM

Deep South, USA

I've already learned a lot. I know for sure now to plant them one to a hill. I decided to live with the consequences of my mistake this year, but there won't be any doubt about planting them singly next year. I learned about fungicides, and supporting large melons off the ground. I wouldn't have thought to keep one off the ground on my own.

I was thinking mid-September to start physical prep, but I can't think of an area I have ready access to that has the right soil for watermelons. I realize nutrients and drainage are probably most important. What about geography? What should I look for?

I haven't completely written this year off yet, but I'm trying to be realistic. I strongly suspect my biggest melon now (relatively, it's not even 5 lbs I don't think.) will start showing BER in the next five days. Indeed, I looked today and the blossom end was rather pale, which could be an early sign.

Last year my plants were dead by September 20th. I'm not really sure about this year. I'm still getting new vine growth in places, but I've also got squash bugs. They disappear in a flash, and can kill a plant just as quickly.
It's nearly impossible to get them all. I wouldn't be surprised if they killed my plants long before cold weather gets here.

8/19/2010 11:43:07 PM

Bowdon, GA

Yoshi, Look for james's tip list onthis site. It is under growing tips. It is good start for new growers.

8/21/2010 1:36:47 AM

sevierville, Tn

Yoshi, Yes follow that sheet & you will be growing records too !

8/21/2010 11:39:51 AM