From

Location

Message

Date Posted

Deep South, USA

Things look pretty rough in the patch right now. Most of the melons seemed to have almost stopped growing after only five days. We've been seriously lacking for rain lately. That has finally changed with a good soaking rain late this afternoon.

I should note that I've avoided watering the plants myself, for the most part. I watered regularly last year and got
BER, so I went with a change of tactics.

I was wondering, has anyone here seen a plant pick back up rapidly growing melons that slowed down, particularly when they are very young?

The plants have had newer females, but after a couple of days they didn't even seem to try to start growing. It's
getting somewhat late in the growing season as well.

7/14/2011 12:50:58 AM

Muddy Waters

yeah keep soil moist not wet,I dont water regular I check soil first wet soil spells disease,temps,humidity,rainfall all play a part in how often you water,Make sure you keep stump dry & cut leaves so it has good air flow around base of plant or the creeping crud will set in.Im no X-Purt,But damm I sound like one EH!!!LOL

7/14/2011 6:13:34 AM

Garner, NC

Yoshi, Remember we are growing WATERmelons, they need water to grow. Like mark said, moist but not soggy wet. I'm sure they will pickup when they get some water.

7/14/2011 9:07:26 AM

Deep South, USA

This may be a dumb question, but is there a good way to check that the moisture level is just right? Will those simple moisture testers you sometimes see at Walmart or Walgreens work for watermelon?

7/14/2011 4:46:12 PM

Muddy Waters

yes they work I had 1 & yanked 2 hard on it its toast!!

7/14/2011 6:11:09 PM

Linden, Mi.,

Past HISTORY - once they slow down, they don't pick back up

7/14/2011 8:27:53 PM

Deep South, USA

Is there a way to check moisture that will do until I can get a "proper" tester?

BTW, I think the rain has helped some. I went to the patch this afternoon and found one of the melons I'd been keeping track of appeared to have grown overnight, substantially.

It didn't have an extreme change in length, but it is noticeably bulkier today. It's really difficult to say how much it gained, as I didn't take photos of it then, but it looks like over 30% to me.

It's about a week old, and 5 3/4" long. If it will do overnight what it seems to have done the night before,
with a bit more length, I think it will look pretty good.

7/14/2011 10:57:57 PM

Muddy Waters

dig up soil away from stump if 12 feet go 14 feet from plant,if you have been watering entire area. Dig down 4 -5 inchs,soil should be moist,not dry,clay type should cling when squeezed. if dry water time, or take a pipe 1 1/4 -1/1/2 works well pound in to soil 4-5 inchs ,remove, knock soil plug out with rod test for moisture by feeling texture!

7/15/2011 6:44:44 AM

Sevierville,tn

Look at your vines...are the curl up....is there alot of dead leaves follow your vine back to stump. I think tallcorn is right.

7/16/2011 10:28:31 AM