On Thu, 12 Aug 2010 17:14:35 -0400
(EVP MAN) wrote:

I started my melons from seed under grow lights. They were 6 weeks old
when I planted them in the garden May 15. Picked my first mellon about
two weeks ago. They were a great color on the outside but a bit pale on
the inside. They just about fell off the vine into your hand when I
picked them up. Just not as sweet tasting as I expected them to be.
The vines were running wild and I did prune them back. Perhaps this was
my mistake. I read on the net that the more leaves on a mellon plant the
better as the leaves produce sugar for the fruit. Any ideas on this?

I only have one plant, bought it from a local market/nursery. They
called it "muskmelon". Haven't a clue to the variety. It was maybe 6-8
inches tall. Planted it a few days before Memorial Day weekend. I let
it run wild and tossed a five gallon bucket or two of water on if there
wasn't any rain for a week or so. The first melon I picked was waaay
too early, really really pale inside, not even a hint of sweetness.
Took about another 2 1/2 weeks to start getting yummy ones. Picked
eight now since last Saturday, they have all been really sweet and
juicy. Will probably get at least one more this coming week, maybe
another two, but I have my doubts that those will get mature enough to
be yummy.

My neighbor started his from seed in trays early and planted them out
maybe a week or two later. His are still really green and only about
half the size mine were. Those aren't getting full sun though and he
has a lot more weeds and grass mixed in with the plants. Didn't have
any straw/mulch around mine and kept them well weeded. The plant spread
out probably 8-10 feet in all directions (16-20 foot diameter).

Nothing all that special, but a couple images I took a few days ago.
The picked melons were scrubbed/washed. The file names pretty much
describe them:

http://www.iserv.net/~lfisk/unripe_melon_stem.jpg
http://www.iserv.net/~lfisk/ripe_melon_stem.jpg
http://www.iserv.net/~lfisk/ripe_picked_melons.jpg

I should have taken a picture after one was cut open, but I didn't
remember till my hands were all gooey. It was/is really hot &
humid, just wasn't up to messing around with pictures anymore...

--
Leon Fisk
Grand Rapids MI/Zone 5b
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