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- From: "Lori Rizzo" <larizzo@charter.net>
- To: "'North American Fruit Explorers'" <nafex@lists.ibiblio.org>
- Subject: Re: [NAFEX] Of melons and dreams...
- Date: Wed, 10 Jun 2009 19:00:59 -0400
Last year, I bought a house
and some acreage in a ‘preferred flood plain’ in eastern TN –
clay soil, though I thought, at least, the location by the creek would be great
for growing melons, because where I was from in Texas, they grew watermelons in
the creek beds. My goal is to grow unusual & heirloom vegetables and
melons. I planted mine in hills, rich with manure/compost, and fertilized
with 15/15/15. I also covered the mounds with straw to mulch them. For
some reason, most of the melons didn’t germinate the first time around –
so had to re-seed again. I’ve noticed this year, the same thing –
seems like I can’t get any of the seeds to germinate well when planted
straight outside until at least May 1-15th. I’ve also
noticed, no matter what I do, they still wait until June (right about this
week) to get their first growth spurt. I don’t think it’s
heat – I think it’s day length. Last year, I bought most of
my seeds from Baker’s Creek – heirloom melons. I am in Zone 7
– - Ginger's Pride: This is a
huge, football-shaped cantaloupe-type melon, much larger than a football (about
3x as big) – was really impressive, and VERY productive (at least 10 per
vine) – but the flesh was soft and mushy – and it didn’t have
a very distinctive cantaloupe smell – not all that appetizing. I’m
surprised, because Baker Creek lists it as a favorite. Won’t plant
again. - Old-Time - - Cassabanana or Melocoton: Weird
red sausage-looking melon – never got to germinate last year outside, but
was able to start it inside this year – can’t wait to see what it
produces. - Hero of Lockinge: Seeds
germinated but died early – don’t know why. I have one this
year. - Tigger: Seeds didn’t
germinate outside last year, but got them to germinate inside this year.
Lost all but one with transplant, but the survivor is doing well. This is
Baker Creek’s top seller – an asian melon that has orange stripes
and is very prolific. - Thai Golden Round: This
vine took over my garden last year – must have produced 30 melons –
but they didn’t taste like melons, bland, strange – my family threatened
to rebel if I made them eat the darned things. So much for the other
asian melon! - Orangeglo: LOVED this –
got only 4 or 5 off the vine, but matured early and had a wonderful texture
& flavor. Definitely growing again this year. Easy keeper, too.
- White Wonder: Another
GREAT one – wonderful sugar taste – all white. Also very easy
to grow, never gave me any problems – about 6-8 to the vine. Will
grow this one again this year. I was quite distressed I had
several melons that were not outstanding last year – my father, who used
to grow melons, said I overwatered them. However, when I didn’t,
they looked like they were going to die – I have a hard time knowing when
to water melons. I didn’t prune anything – never knew you
should with melons. I did think about thinning, but I didn’t.
Also, I lost several cucurbit & melon vines early because of some type of
pest – some squash bugs, but I think voles might have been
involved. I’ll need to plan for this again. This year, I am
growing a few ‘standard’ varieties, so I can be assured someone
eats the melons! – Sugar Baby, Crimson Sweet, Hale’s Best.
But, I’m also adding White Sugar Lump (small, white, sweet), Ambrosia
cantaloupe, and Minneasota Midget. I really need to know more about growing
melons, but as the original lister noted, you don’t get much specific
information from the old-timers, and I haven’t really done a lot of
research (which is unusual for me!). I’d also appreciate
any insight – and references. Lori ------------------------End
of Order----------------------- Health Care Quality
Improvement Pet Training & Behavior
Improvement! From:
nafex-bounces@lists.ibiblio.org [mailto:nafex-bounces@lists.ibiblio.org] On Behalf Of Road's End Farm
Growing melons in Zone
4/5 is a crap shoot but the years If you are in |
-
[NAFEX] Of melons and dreams...,
fuwa fuwa usagi, 06/09/2009
-
Re: [NAFEX] Of melons and dreams...,
Jolyn, 06/09/2009
-
Re: [NAFEX] Of melons and dreams...,
Road's End Farm, 06/09/2009
-
Re: [NAFEX] Of melons and dreams...,
Lori Rizzo, 06/10/2009
- Re: [NAFEX] Of melons and dreams..., Naomi Counides, 06/10/2009
- Re: [NAFEX] Of melons and dreams..., Kieran &/or Donna, 06/11/2009
-
Re: [NAFEX] Of melons and dreams...,
Lori Rizzo, 06/10/2009
-
Re: [NAFEX] Of melons and dreams...,
Road's End Farm, 06/09/2009
-
Re: [NAFEX] Of melons and dreams...,
Caren Kirk, 06/09/2009
- Re: [NAFEX] Of melons and dreams..., Lon J. Rombough, 06/09/2009
-
Re: [NAFEX] Of melons and dreams...,
Kieran &/or Donna, 06/11/2009
-
Re: [NAFEX] Of melons and dreams...,
Road's End Farm, 06/11/2009
-
Re: [NAFEX] Of melons and dreams...,
Kieran &/or Donna, 06/11/2009
- Re: [NAFEX] Of melons and dreams..., Road's End Farm, 06/11/2009
-
Re: [NAFEX] Of melons and dreams...,
Kieran &/or Donna, 06/11/2009
-
Re: [NAFEX] Of melons and dreams...,
Road's End Farm, 06/11/2009
-
Re: [NAFEX] Of melons and dreams...,
Jolyn, 06/09/2009
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