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Eastern Pennsylvania

I tried watermelons for the first time this year. I didn't put much into it and got three 60 pounders off a 222 Hunt seed. Next year I'm going to really put the stones to them. My question is, do watermelons ever split due to rapid growth?

11/11/2011 1:09:03 PM

Garner, NC

Never had CC split, then again never really pushed them that hard. Slow and steady is what I've always heard. I think if you pushed to hard the plant may shut down before the fruit splits. I have however, had moon and stars split from to much water . We had 7" of rain once last year, and every melon split in half.

11/11/2011 1:48:21 PM

Lexington,IN

Todd, I'd hate to see what you get if you pushed one hard then! LOL

11/11/2011 3:02:42 PM

sevierville, Tn

I have been told too much water at peak growth will split them, but thats very rare & i have not EVER had that happen. So i'd say its possible, but i really would not worry about it.

Todd, yes just stay slow & steady ! LOL

11/11/2011 4:18:42 PM

Bowdon, GA

I think maybe it should have been fast and steady LOL. I wouldn't worry about splitting them.

11/11/2011 4:25:21 PM

Muddy Waters

tall corn blew 1 up once

11/11/2011 8:27:36 PM

Boise City, Oklahoma, USA

That teensy tiny one I grew a few years ago, it went down because it cracked open! (and I got viable seeds out of it)
So I guess they can split if they've a mind to.

11/11/2011 9:10:04 PM

Linden, Mi.,

Yes I did, it cracked all the way around, open up about 1/2"
pushing to much water - I think

11/11/2011 10:04:19 PM

Fenton, MI

I had one in 2005 at 198# split end to end I was pushing hard. But i think thats how we learn what is to much. Also had one in 2009 at 174# blow its stem apart. It was a small stem. I keep a eye out for them now

11/11/2011 11:12:28 PM

Bowdon, GA

What kind of growth rate were you getting when they blew?

11/12/2011 12:39:23 AM

Fenton, MI

I look in my book for 2005 it was 52 days old and doing 3 1/2" OTT in two days. It was on a 219 Edwards plant.

11/12/2011 1:00:16 AM

formerly RGG

I just want to know what I can feed a plant to push it that hard. I would love to cause one to blow. That way I would know I am on the right track.I know it has to be a lot more than just giving the plant plenty of water. Just like Todd said, I believe my plant would begin showing signs of over fertilization before it's melon would crack open from growing too fast.It's not that I believe it doesn't happen. It is just that I think I have never come close to doing it. So will someone please give me a hint of what I need to add to the mix to accelerate melon growth.I have even thought about adding some grow lights at night to provide more photosynthesis opportunity for my plant.

11/12/2011 8:46:31 AM

Bowdon, GA

Dang Marvin, 10lbs in two days after day 50 is rollin. Was that a burst in growth or was it consistently growing at that rate?

11/12/2011 11:13:13 AM