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Long Island,New York

Food for thought: I believe we are about to see an explosion in melon sizes similar to the year by year increasing of the pumpkins (and squash) we saw as the internet developed. Now, with the internet and big pumpkins its become more common and universal- its not just the south anymore. Sure there have always been guys like Mitchell and White and Hunt(s) up north but the internet has brought growers together and expanded melons into the giant pkn community. Its not just Melonman, Carson,Brights, etc anymore. I think its about to explode ! A long season fruit(120 days), easier to grow, (and you get to eat it) will catapult this branch of the giant hobby in the next decade. There has always been problems getting the south into giant pumpkins- partly due to climate- perhaps melons will bring the competitive juices out. Melon enthusiasts should draw from the pumpkin community's past and apply it towards the breeding, promotions, and wieghoffs...its started moving and you'll see a 300lber within 4 years....I'll bet a bag of donuts on that!

9/11/2010 11:17:12 AM

South Bloomfield, Ohio

I'm betting you really like donuts G. And I agree.

9/11/2010 12:50:49 PM

sevierville, Tn

I agree ! I could never have grown what i did without all the help from the great growers here !!!
I think the breeding is huge. It is our future just as it was for the pumpkins/squash.

9/12/2010 8:20:25 AM

Long Island,New York

So look at what has kept the giant pkns getting larger and copy that....controlled pollinations of big producers x big producers......look at keeping track of dimentions and which go larger...fat or long.....look at length of growth-days of growth and use the long growers as breeders.....

9/12/2010 9:57:27 AM

sevierville, Tn

Again, i agree ! We don't have to invent the wheel. The pumpkin growers did that for us. We just have to follow the model to ever larger melons. Glen is correct ! Thats what I'm doing.

9/12/2010 10:17:20 AM

Jamul

I could be wrong but it seems like there are even less giant watermelon growers in the western states. As far as I know, there are not many pest/disease issues out here and lots of heat. It is cooler at night in a lot of areas than what you might get elsewhere. A couple of weeks back my area, 45 minutes from the Pacific ocean, had 108F for a day time heat wave high and a few nights later 44F for a low. Anyway,not that the current growing and resultant weights are not amazing, but it would be fun to see someone getting bigger watermelons.

9/12/2010 4:52:51 PM

Cameron,ontario Team Lunatic

I agree with Glenn. The more growers out there the better the chance to see a new WR. There seems to be more growers these days, so that hopefully means we'll see improved weight gains in the future.

We started a new patch this year in hopes that we can get back on track after suffering from a soil disease that ended in 3 bad growing years for her. The fresh patch is a real blessing & we have one taping @ 190" that was pollinated in late July, so we're excited about growing melons again. I think Jane will now focus more on watermelons in the coming years. She thinks the WR could be grown in Cameron. I'm cheering for her. Good luck.

Jane & Phil

9/16/2010 9:30:26 AM

Long Island,New York

Go Jane Go!

9/16/2010 8:26:35 PM