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Bethlehem CT

I was wondering if anyone knew which of the top melons were on grafted rootstocks. I would also be interested in learning what was used for a rootstock. Thanks

10/16/2017 8:21:09 AM

Chapel Hill, NC

I don't know the answer to the first question. I suspect all of them. I used Bushel gourd and ended up with melons smaller than my traditionals I grew last year.

10/16/2017 10:21:02 AM

Eastern Shore of VA

The only graft I've ever tried was the fig leaf gourd seed I got from you John.
Never planted a graft because if it went down I'd be done for the season.

10/16/2017 12:54:19 PM

Eastern Shore of VA

Grew like crazy in that 3 gallon pot.

10/16/2017 12:55:11 PM

Garner, NC

2 largest tradition melons this year, that I am aware of are, my 283.5 and Rodney's 272
Andrew Vial did a amazing job with my grafts and used Rampart gourd for the rootstock

10/16/2017 8:44:20 PM

sevierville, Tn

Rampart(bottle gourd), bushel gourd and pear gourd were the ones used that were sucessful this year by growers.

10/16/2017 10:10:42 PM

Bethlehem CT

Thanks guys, Any idea who sells the Rampart gourd seed?

10/16/2017 11:13:50 PM

The North Coast

I too would love to know what rootstock grew what melon. Not much is more tragic than losing a plant to a crown issue after all that work. Information about what works and what may not is critical for success for our growing community.

Compatibility is the key with grafted watermelon plants. The first two years experienced a lot of failures because the very vigorous rootstock Shintosa was used. Every single professional recommended shintosa for our needs but it was not a good match. The failures we had using Shintosa were never seen or experienced with any other watermelon variety in the world, ever. So, shintosa (or any other C.moschata x C. maxima) is not recommended with current techniques. What I do know from our experiences is that Rampart from Takii is rather reliable. Takii has another lagenaria rootstock that did very, very well for me this year named Valent. These seeds can be ordered through Kitazawa Seed Co. for around $80 per 1000 seed. Maybe a bunch of growers can pool their money and split the seeds up on an order. These both are non hybrid gourds so they can be grown out for seed.

I did have one plant on a C. ficifolia and it was my best plant before it went down. The day after it put off the biggest female melon flower that I have ever seen, the plant 100% crashed. That melon was at least 2x larger, that was going to be a great melon. Upon examination I was able to snap the main vine easily off of the rootstock. It was like the rootstock pushed off the watermelon vine. Even with that failure the jury is still out on C. ficifolia. I will use it again. It did grow Tennessee Dreamers 228 in a short season with high insect pressure. I believe big moon has plenty if you bubble him.

10/17/2017 8:51:52 AM

The North Coast

I promote growers using commercial watermelon rootstock seeds but I've heard through the back channels that long gourd seeds have been used successfully. Chris also mentioned that other lagenaria varieties have been used successfully also. I have no information on their success or failures. I did find it a bit more difficult to pair up the watermelon scions with the larger lagenaria varieties like bushel and pear. Those two come out of the ground like utility poles.

What we have found is that its not all about how big of a monster rootstock that can be used to drive a watermelon graft but more about the compatibility of the pairing.

Not mentioned or tried yet are the wild watermelon rootstocks. These are rare due to the global success of the Shintosa and lagenaria varieties. Who knows, for what we do they may work well.

10/17/2017 8:52:02 AM

sevierville, Tn

I agree with what Nathan said about "Compatibility is the key"
I have NEVER had a rootstock fail. Its always watermelon scions that fail, ie the stumps blowup !
So far the most compatable seems to be gourd .

10/17/2017 9:28:39 AM

Chapel Hill, NC

Anybody ever try Citron melon? It seems to me like just a wild watermelon and the compatibility logically might be better than gourd.

10/17/2017 9:59:46 AM

Bethlehem CT

If any one wants to try C. ficiflolia let me know. I have seed. Also if any of you are interested in going in on an order of Rampart let me know.

10/17/2017 5:59:54 PM

NE Arkansas

I don't think rootstock size matters as the melon will grow to match it

10/17/2017 8:42:04 PM

Home of happy lil plants

big moon email me about seeds

10/23/2017 2:36:49 AM