North American Fruit Explorers mailing list at ibiblio

["Robert C. Mullins" <mullins@gaelicmysts.com>]

I think I might have the same problem here.  This is the first year I am 
growing melons.  I am growing the standard heirloom 'Black Diamond', but 
after talking with many of the locals, they say our dirt is to 
'clay-ish' to grow decent melons.  I am going to keep them alive and see 
what happens but if anyone has any hints to working with melons in 
clay-type soil, please send a life-line. ;)



Mark & Helen Angermayer wrote:
> Gordon wrote:
> "I do have a black gumbo tight clay soil which is not ideal for melons."
>  
> Maybe that's my problem too.  The soil is plenty fertile, but clay 
> based.  It grows good sized melons if I keep them watered, but flavor 
> is problematic.  With Steve up north and Gordon down south having the 
> same  trouble as I, it confirms it's not related to climate.  Maybe 
> good flavored melons can only be grown on sand?
>  
> Mark
> KS
>
>     ----- Original Message -----
>     *From:* Gordon
>     *To:* nafex@lists.ibiblio.org <mailto:nafex@lists.ibiblio.org>
>     *Sent:* Sunday, May 18, 2008 3:34 PM
>     *Subject:* [NAFEX] Unsweet melons
>
>     I am in zone7/8 in north Texas so I am not too far north for
>     melons.  I do have a black gumbo tight clay soil which is not
>     ideal for melons.  I have raised on one variety of melon which had
>     a decent sweet flavor.  That was the Christmas melon.  I have been
>     told to stop watering the vines after the melons are about half
>     size but if I did that the vines would die in the summer heat from
>     lack of water.  They require lots of water to survive.  I have
>     tried various varieties over the last thirty or so years without
>     success.  I had a labor across the street from me who said he
>     never had such a problem but the melons he gave me were just like
>     the ones I grew; tasteless and not sweet.
>
>     <http://presence.webmail.aol.com/IM/?sn=halegp&locale=en-us&pd=0> Gordon
>     Hale
>     Grand Prairie, Texas
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--
Robert C. Mullins M.S. IT
GaelicMysts, Owner
Clarksville, Ar
Zone 8a
http://wildcraft.gaelicmysts.com