SuperStar Melon help

JerryL · June 22, 2011

I’m growing Superstar melon this year. First year in a long time for melons.

I don’t have many natural pollinators so I have been hand pollinating my Zucchini and want to hand pollinate the melon also. However, I don’t see any females like I do with the zukes.

I’ve attached a couple pics showing the blossoms that are present. ALL blossoms look like these.

Can anyone help me understand what is going on?

beeman · June 22, 2011

I believe the flowers are all males, it's a bit early for females.
You'll see a distinct bulge behind the flower on female flowers, almost like a mini melon.

KLorentz · June 23, 2011

Would that be Superstar Cantaloupe? If so that is a great choice. I have grown them before and had great results. You have some nice healthy vines but I to think it is a little early to see any baby melons.Zukes mature earlier than most melons.I bet in another week to two weeks you will see some female flowers.

As to pollination it is much harder to hand pollinate melons than squash as the flower is much smaller.This is not to say it can't be done.Also another rout you might try is looking up someone who sells mason bees.Growers do use them so it may help you out.BTW I have yet to see honey bees here . Plenty of bumble bees and mason bees but no honey bees.

Kevin

JerryL · June 23, 2011

Thanks for the feedback. I guess I’m just anxious. I’ll try to be patient.

Yes, they are Superstar Cantaloupe. There looked good in the catalog.

beeman · June 23, 2011

While we are talking melons, I have noticed something useful this year.
I started 6 plants in the greenhouse late March, planted out and lost 3. But here is the interesting part, those 3 are producing flowers much faster than another set of plants which were resown.
The originals are producing both male and female flowers with only 4 main leaves!

JerryL · June 24, 2011

Beeman,
I started mine inside like I do with most of my plants. I transplanted six (6) Superstar plants and only four (4) survived.
I didn’t replant those two (2). I was probably too lazy at the time. But as you can see from the pic I’ll have plenty melons if the size of the vine says anything.

JerryL · July 3, 2011

I guess I'll stop worrying.

KLorentz · July 3, 2011

Good for you Jerry!! You should be enjoying some yummy cantaloupe not to long from now.

Kevin

JerryL · July 27, 2011

So, now I'd like input on when to harvest. My research says I should wait until the stem turns brown. Are there any other criteria I should look for?

FILMNET · July 27, 2011

My Cute Minnesota midget

June 23, 2011	#4
JerryL Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: S.W. Ohio z6a Posts: 736	Thanks for the feedback. I guess I’m just anxious. I’ll try to be patient. Yes, they are Superstar Cantaloupe. There looked good in the catalog. __________________ Jerry

June 24, 2011	#6
JerryL Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: S.W. Ohio z6a Posts: 736	Beeman, I started mine inside like I do with most of my plants. I transplanted six (6) Superstar plants and only four (4) survived. I didn’t replant those two (2). I was probably too lazy at the time. But as you can see from the pic I’ll have plenty melons if the size of the vine says anything. __________________ Jerry

July 27, 2011	#9
JerryL Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: S.W. Ohio z6a Posts: 736	So, now I'd like input on when to harvest. My research says I should wait until the stem turns brown. Are there any other criteria I should look for? __________________ Jerry

June 22, 2011	#2
beeman Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Ontario, Canada Posts: 692	I believe the flowers are all males, it's a bit early for females. You'll see a distinct bulge behind the flower on female flowers, almost like a mini melon.

June 23, 2011	#3
KLorentz Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Stryker, Ohio Posts: 995	Would that be Superstar Cantaloupe? If so that is a great choice. I have grown them before and had great results. You have some nice healthy vines but I to think it is a little early to see any baby melons.Zukes mature earlier than most melons.I bet in another week to two weeks you will see some female flowers. As to pollination it is much harder to hand pollinate melons than squash as the flower is much smaller.This is not to say it can't be done.Also another rout you might try is looking up someone who sells mason bees.Growers do use them so it may help you out.BTW I have yet to see honey bees here . Plenty of bumble bees and mason bees but no honey bees. Kevin

July 3, 2011	#8
KLorentz Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Stryker, Ohio Posts: 995	Good for you Jerry!! You should be enjoying some yummy cantaloupe not to long from now. Kevin

July 27, 2011	#10
FILMNET Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: North Charleston,South Carolina, USA Posts: 1,803	My Cute Minnesota midget