North American Fruit Explorers mailing list at ibiblio

["MARIE ASHTON" <bwoodtx@verizon.net>]

Here in west-central Texas we have our troubles with growing melons, also. They grow best in a well drained soil as the melons tend to rot on the bottom if the soil retains too much moisture. Also a fertilizer or soil that is high in phosphorus is helpful in making good melons. Sandy soil is ideal for growing melons as is any well drained loam or gravelly soil. We have extensive areas growing watermelons and cantaloupes commercially nearby but only in sandy soil.

 

I have a loam type soil that does retain some moisture at the surface in times of higher rainfall or when I irrigate them. To grow the melons I turn them a little every few days and it seems to help. A liquid fertilizer (diluted to label directions) high in phosphorus sprayed on the leaves seems to also help produce the best crops.

 

Regards,

Richard Ashton

Oak Creek Orchard

www.oakcreekorchard.com

bwoodtx@verizon.net

West-central Texas 7b/8a

 

----- Original Message -----

From: Michael Richardson

To: North American Fruit Explorers

Sent: Tuesday, May 20, 2008 6:40 AM

Subject: Re: [NAFEX] Unsweet melons

Here in a zone 3 pocket of the Wisconsin River Valley there are three fairly large farm markets that specialize in cucurbits.  They grow every variety of squash and pumpkin and have cantaloupes galore. Few watermelons though--I suspect that they can't compete with Texas on that.  One of them advertises "The best melons in the world".  Hyperbole perhaps--but they are gooood.

 

Our soil is alkaline sand.  Cacti grow in patches that aren't farmed.  It would seem that sand is important to good melon cultivation based upon the limited sample of this list.

 

Steve Herje, SW WI USDA zone 3/4

-----Original Message-----
From: nafex-bounces@lists.ibiblio.org [mailto:nafex-bounces@lists.ibiblio.org]On Behalf Of Mark & Helen Angermayer
Sent: Sunday, May 18, 2008 5:35 PM
To: North American Fruit Explorers
Subject: Re: [NAFEX] Unsweet melons

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

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.

 Gordon Hale
Grand Prairie, Texas

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