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formerly RGG

They are having a big problem with this stuff (forchlorfenuron)in China. Farmers have been using it to promote watermelon growth and they have applied too much of it during rainy times and it is causing many of their watermelons to burst open from too rapid growth. Where can I get some please? :-)

5/17/2011 1:37:28 PM

Western NY

http://www.theregister.co.uk/2011/05/17/exploding_melons/

The neighboring farmers who didn't use the stuff also blew up their melons. Sounds like an unlucky combination of temp and a lot of rain, and they all pop, especially for that variety.

5/17/2011 1:57:30 PM

formerly RGG

Thanks Andy, sounds like it's not worth it then.

5/17/2011 2:10:13 PM

Fresno, CA

I admit - I saw an article on this today too and though ..hmm... what could this do for pumpkins. Supposedly it can increase fruit size by 20%. However I also found an academic article showing that this chemical FCF has been found to alter assembly of organic compounds in mammalian cells that play a part if cell division. The article was looking at it as a potential beneficial therapy for certain diseases. But I don't know if it would be good idea to mess around with something that is relatively new (not understood) and already shown to effect our biochemical processes in order to get a bigger pumpkin.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18713753

5/18/2011 12:36:46 AM

formerly RGG

Interesting article ET; thanks for the link.

5/18/2011 8:32:29 AM

Milky Way

Where can I get Forchlorfenuron?
Is there a source in the USA?

I found a source in Germany, but it's very expensive 120,- € for 100 mg.

In China you can get 1 kg for $120

Stephan

5/18/2011 5:43:33 PM