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Jericho Vermont

I am a northern grower and am always struggling to get my watermelon environment warm enough and am experimenting with a cheap portable greenhouse. The day time temps will get between 100-106 even with side windows open and I am wondering if that is too hot for melon growth?
Thanks
John

6/7/2015 8:05:54 AM

South Arkansas

They seem to do best in the low to mid nineties. The range you listed should be okay. You would have a problem with that range if your night temperatures fail to drop each night. When that happens, the melon plant can't complete some of its daily life cycles and growth stops. I doubt your area has hot summer nights of that degree.

6/7/2015 2:12:17 PM

Jericho Vermont

Thanks for the reply. You are correct our nights are typically in the 50s at night. Not great for growing but good for sleeping.

6/8/2015 5:59:26 AM

South Arkansas

John, our night temperature tonight at 11:00 pm is 78 degrees. We get lots of vine growth in this type of weather.

6/10/2015 12:06:17 AM

formerly RGG

John, I think it is a lot harder to grow a true giant if the night time temperatures are too low for the first two weeks of the life of a melon.With a greenhouse you are on the right track I believe.But Lloyd is certainly right. We just don't want the temperatures to be too extreme either way. Just like anything else, heat is something best received by your plants in optimum amounts and by that I mean temps into the 1oo's in the day is too warm and down into the 50's at night is too cool.

6/10/2015 6:51:01 AM