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Lexington,IN

Well, it's been a hectic Summer here for me. Coaching my sons 8U baseball team, then All-stars, which will finish up tomorrow, hasn't left alot of time for other things. Oh yeah, took on another hobbie the last month or so, Gold prospecting! So been going out to learn that. That's pretty much been my Summer and my reason for being away for so long. My melons are done here, will get weights on Monday, nothing too big, I'll be lucky to hit 180. It was a terrible start to the season with repeated storms destroying vines and flooding the patch. Then it got HOT, for a long time! I tried hand pollinating and nothing would set, at that point I pretty much gave up and let the bees do the job. I left a couple on each plant, then choose the best shaped one and left it on. The only thing I did from that point on is water. Plants were never sprayed and did well until the weeds took over! In a way I'm glad this year is over so I can start preparing for next year. I will give 100% next year to the melons. I kinda miss the patch and watching really big melons grow...

8/21/2010 12:15:14 PM

Lexington,IN

Oh, forgot to mention that everyone is welcome to seeds, they are all open pollinated but only good genetics were in the patch and no other melons around. I have 5 melons, the plants were (#1)255 Mitchell (#2)255 Mitchell (#3)267 Edwards (#4)239 Leonard (#5)217 Pleasant. There was one melon per plant, open pollinated. I'll post something in the seed exchange forum when I get them ready.
I hope that I can swap seeds with those that have shared with me in the past, even though my seeds are open pollinated. (I believe the 157 Bright was open pollinated?) GOOD LUCK to those still going and I look forward to this years results, how big will it go...

8/21/2010 12:24:47 PM

Boise City, Oklahoma, USA

Dewight, I don't have anything but my micromelon, but if I might send you a bubble this winter, please; I'd love it. Thanks.

8/21/2010 12:47:47 PM

Frankfort Oh

Dewight - 180 wouldn`t be shabby

8/21/2010 4:46:23 PM

Mt.Pleasant,Iowa

180 is great in my book.

8/21/2010 7:25:21 PM

formerly RGG

I think the genetic line is a lot more important than the size of the melon the seed came from. Seems a lot of growers want only to plant seed from the biggest melon they can obtain them from. In reality these seed are often hard to germinate and aren't genetically any better than seed obtained from a much smaller melon that resulted from the same cross. That is my opinion anyway.I had a bad year and messed my plants up really bad. The biggest melon I got was only around 100 pounds. I won't feel bad about planting some of my own seed though because I know I had good genetics and the main reason I didn't grow a giant was human error.The genetics and the potential to grow a monster size melon are still there I think.

8/21/2010 9:40:28 PM

Youngstown, Ohio

I didn't do any melons this year or last, due to a new baby in Jan. and building a new garage 32x40. I have planted buck wheat and just let the patch rest. I am looking for some seeds for next year if anyone has any extras over 190 lbs. or from a good genetic line. I have given away many seeds in the past now I guess its my turn to ask :) I am gonna give it my all next year!

8/22/2010 8:18:57 AM

Lexington,IN

No problem OkieGal, Be happy to send some seeds your way. You too ROCKITV8, if you want some, and anybody else that wants some for that matter.
I agree 100% TD. We have seen lots of big melons come from seeds of melons weighing less than 190 lbs. Like you say, the genetics is what matters. My 232 came from a 140 Elkins, and we all know the WR story too...

8/22/2010 1:13:39 PM

Trinity River Bottom

180 is still big . dwight

8/23/2010 9:33:40 AM

Trinity River Bottom

sorry dewight. can't spell.

8/23/2010 9:34:23 AM

Western NY

Harvey - shoot me an email (andy@greatpumpkincommonwealth.com).

I tried calling you over the weekend, but apparently I had an old number for you.

Andy

8/23/2010 3:08:19 PM