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Re: Watermelon and the Fungus

Doreen Howard wrote:
> 
> To satisfy Darryl's purient interest............  :)
> I planted three Moon & Stars watermelon seeds last May.  They were spaced 18
> inches apart in a newly constructed raised bed.  The soil consisted of peat
> moss, bagged composed cow manure and lots of shredded oak leaves.  I
> inocculated each seed by placing a big pinch of the VAM Glombus strain of
> mycorrhizae under it.  The seeds sprouted and started to grow in a normal
> manner--that continued for about 5 weeks.  Then our really hot weather set
> it (temps hitting 100 with 80 degree nights and humidity to match).  The
> vines exploded with growth.  Soon they were over 20 feet in every
> direction--climbing into peach trees, up compost bins and chain link fences.
> >From the three seeds, I harvested 18 melons--each averaging about 26 pounds.
> The runt was 13# and the biggest was 33#.  The norm for Moon & Stars is
> about 24 pounds.  There was only one runt, and most hit the average weight.
> I never watered, despite the heat, and the vines never wilted--the sign I
> use for water need.  I did not have a control, so maybe this is normal.
> But, I've never had such great production in a small space before with
> watermelon. There were no problems with disease or bugs.  A few leaves
> displayed damage from chewing insects and some of the older leaves
> contracted powdery mildew, but that was about the extent of it.
> Doreen Howard
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