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formerly RGG

Susan, I have a question for you and since other growers may possibly be interested in your answer, I will ask you on this forum. At what point in the growth of your 296.5 did you deadhead the vine ? It would seem to me like the earlier the better but if you deadhead the vine before the pollination took you would run the risk of a deadheaded main with an aborted melon. But perhaps this would be a risk worth taking. Do you deadhead all of your melons ?

5/31/2015 9:52:01 PM

SW Ohio

Yes, I cut the main after the melon. That's part of my day 10 routine when I am setting it up on the rack.

6/1/2015 4:07:23 AM

SW Ohio

To further clarify:
I was having pollination issues last year and the 229 was a big plant. I had just had a very nice melon abort at day 8 on the plant and the 296.5 was the next female in line on the main. Once I made it to day 10 I didn't have much choice but to go with what I had. So I cut the main and was all in.

6/1/2015 4:23:49 AM

formerly RGG

Thanks for the detailed reply Susan. Sometimes all in is the best way to go. And it certainly paid off for you in a big way.I think I will try this deadheading on some of my plants this year and maybe even on all of them.

6/1/2015 6:46:30 AM