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Ut

There seems to be a general consensus and acceptance among giant melon growers that “it is hard to get one to set on the main”.

My question is why? What has been your experience? No females on the main? Won’t set? Misshapen? Thanks.

8/11/2015 1:11:16 PM

Home of happy lil plants

pear shaped bad shaped getting to late in season and need one set... if plants too small you wouldnt want to keep it.. a set on a finger vine may be the better choice instead of waiting for one on main within preferred range because by the time those 3-4 chances on the main bloom(if lucky) happen the finger vine could have already had a solidd 10 day old melon and the plant been more than decent size when that one started.

8/11/2015 4:19:52 PM

formerly RGG

My personal best (228.5) was from a set on the main and they are the best choice if available. I am growing 2 pear shaped melons this year as they were the best set I could get as my plants were small until it was beginning to get late into the season and these pears are not on the main. I think the best chance of setting a melon on the main is from having a early large plant. If your plant is running late you may often have to settle for a secondary set.Sets on finger vines often produce exce;;ent melons.

8/12/2015 6:33:58 AM

Eastern Shore of VA

Spence and TD are both correct.
My first melon set on the main at 9 ft out.
Pear shaped, it grew very fast, but was culled because of better sets.
All of which have come on finger vines.
The main just happened to be the longest vine at the time and I was itching to start.
I do think plant should be at least 100 sq feet before thinking about setting a melon.
Unless your running out of time.
You can get far better advice on here then just from me !

8/12/2015 9:48:39 PM

sevierville, Tn

i think its more ...there is 1 main and several finger vines. So 3 chances with the main and 9-10 chances with the fingers. I have had good results with either.

8/13/2015 6:51:00 AM

Ut

So would you guys say your preference is first to set on the main, second on a finger vine, and to only set on secondaries as a last resort? Also, are you confident that food transfers from the main to the finger vine melons?
Thank you kindly.

8/13/2015 7:00:52 PM

sevierville, Tn

i had a 297 on a finger, and the old WR 291 was on a finger so i would say , yes.

8/14/2015 9:49:31 PM

formerly RGG

If you have a good melon going the melon plant will figure it out and transfer it's efforts to increasing the size of the vine swelling up the selected melon.

8/15/2015 10:14:26 AM