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Post by Alan on Nov 4, 2009 18:50:23 GMT -5
I didn't even really get to bother with melons this year other than my white fleshed watermelon grex which I only grew enough of for selection and home eating. They did superbly but the issue that is giving me problems there is that damn "E" gene (exploding rind) that is carried by Cream of Saskatchewan and is apparently dominat!
For those that don't know the "E" gene basically expresses itself in a very thin rind under quite a bit of pressure, which means if one even taps the melon in the right way it splits, but sometimes it does far more than that, I've had them pop right in two and a couple of times split on all sides, and once even litterally "explode".
Breeding this out of my new white fleshed watermelon varieties is going to take some time that's for sure.
Next year I'll revisit the Absinth melon gene pool selecting for green fleshed, sweet, non musky, musk melons.
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Post by Owen on Nov 7, 2009 20:06:49 GMT -5
Holy cow Alan, explosive watermelons!? You've got to run with this idea, turn it into something really cool!
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Post by Alan on Nov 15, 2009 20:40:55 GMT -5
LOL Owen,
I promise, it is not as cool as you think!
I tried to take some of those to market last year, that didn't work out so well for me, and getting rid of that particular gene is proving to be a real pain in the ass.
But if you ever want tho mess with a friend, pick one at peak ripeness and let someone try to cut it, watch as they freak out when it blows in two right before them!
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Post by mnjrutherford on Nov 16, 2009 7:31:53 GMT -5
That is VERY interesting. This is a MUSK melon or a WATER melon? If it's a watermelon, try a cross with "Carolina Cross" (I MIGHT have some seed leftover if you want them). "Carolina Cross" has a very thick rind suitable for making preserves. I didn't use it this year, but I plan to next year.
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Post by Alan on Nov 17, 2009 21:12:30 GMT -5
It's a watermelon Jo, well actually a white fleshed watermelon gene pool to be exact, but the "E" gene was contributed to the group via Cream of Saskatchewan.
I have done some crosses to some of the yellow fleshed varieties in this grouping, only because it's easier to keep white fleshed traits by crossing to yellow types as opposed to red, the problem seems to be that the "E" gene is highly dominant, anytime I make headway I loose it again, but I suspect this has more to do with my horizontal resistance selections and isolating the blooms is hard to do as well because almost all of the white fleshed types look the same, same rind, same size, similar flavor.
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Post by mnjrutherford on Nov 17, 2009 22:47:45 GMT -5
Whoa... ::laughing:: OK, so most of what you just said was so far over my head I didn't even notice a shadow crossing! I'm guessing that you really don't want to throw red coloration back into the deal? Cause the Carolina Cross is definitely red though not a ruby red, more of a delicate sort of pink. I grew it because I was attracted to it's size. We got 40 pounders though records of up to 200 lbs exist. My kids would be thrilled to see exploding melons that they would not be blamed for exploding...
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peapod
gardener
Zone 4, acidic soil, and sandy loam that I have worked on for 4 years. Fixing the bad stuff.
Posts: 175
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Post by peapod on Nov 18, 2009 14:31:41 GMT -5
CanadaM~ do you still need the list of melons that you sent to me last seaon? I think it was lost or something like that. Cant remember. Let me know and now that I have time I can probably do it sooner than later.
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Post by jonnyyuma on Dec 12, 2009 19:16:25 GMT -5
Hello all Canada Mike suggested that I join this site, so I decided to give it a try. I work with melons mostly and really like to work with watermelons. Hopefully I can be of some help to you all. I have a large collection of melons, but they are mostly F1.
Thanks, Jonny
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Post by castanea on Dec 12, 2009 21:56:00 GMT -5
Hello all Canada Mike suggested that I join this site, so I decided to give it a try. I work with melons mostly and really like to work with watermelons. Hopefully I can be of some help to you all. I have a large collection of melons, but they are mostly F1. Thanks, Jonny Hi Jonny, Welcome aboard. What watermelons do you have? Which are your favorites? Which hardiness zone are you in?
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Post by canadamike on Dec 13, 2009 22:51:39 GMT -5
peapod, no, I am ok but need your adress again, and phone number. jonny, welcome aboard. Would you happen to have a couple of F-1 seeds of true cantaloupes or non climacteric melons??
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Post by Alan on Dec 15, 2009 19:17:52 GMT -5
Hey Johnny, glad to have you here my friend!
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Post by jonnyyuma on Dec 21, 2009 11:13:40 GMT -5
Hello CanadaM, I don't have any true cantaloupes that are F1. I can try to source some from France, but I won't make any promises at this time. I do have many non-climacteric melons though. I will put a description up of what I have later. I have to write it yet.
Thanks to all for the warm welcome.
Alan, Is there anywhere to post a description of what we all have in our inventory? You know names, short description, etc.
Thanks Jonny
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Post by bunkie on Dec 21, 2009 13:25:11 GMT -5
...Alan, Is there anywhere to post a description of what we all have in our inventory? You know names, short description, etc. Thanks Jonny welcome jonnyyuma! bunkie here...you can check in the "Seeds, plants, and more" section, and post under 'Seeds for Trade and Sale' if you like!
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Post by canadamike on Dec 21, 2009 14:45:44 GMT -5
Thanks Johnyyuma. Don't bother, I have loads of OP european true cantaloupes. I was only trying to piggyback on some work already started ;D to save a year....
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Post by Alan on Dec 21, 2009 17:11:07 GMT -5
...Alan, Is there anywhere to post a description of what we all have in our inventory? You know names, short description, etc. Thanks Jonny welcome jonnyyuma! bunkie here...you can check in the "Seeds, plants, and more" section, and post under 'Seeds for Trade and Sale' if you like! Howdy Jonny! You can either post where bunkie indicated, or even better, go to plant variety and reviews and post descriptions and everything there, they would be greatly appreciated!
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