Howdy folks, I'm in zone 3; not only is the growing season short but there is also insufficient heat to ripen muskmelons and cantaloupes, and watermelons. My biggest problem is cold soil in the early season where melons planted on their own roots sit and sulk. Short of transplanting under plastic tunnels, there is no other way. The problem is I'm in the open short grass prairie with very strong winds. I'm thinking of grafting melons onto cold tolerant rootstocks. Any comments or suggestions? I also read that Cucurbita facifolia is the most cold tolerant of them all. Anyone knows where I can get some seeds? Thank you. Peace Thean
Is the plastic tunnel idea a problem because of finances, or for some other reason - don't mean to be nosy (and I know what 'broke' is like) but I'm curious why you don't want to use them as it would seem an obvious (and relatively inexpensive answer).
Thean if you are in Brooks you have a great resource there in the Crop centre off of Highway 1 near the northeast part of town. Christine Murray was the fruit/ small bush research scientist there and may be able to help you. if not there should be resources in the Library that you can ask for. if not Gordon Franks is the specialist in the office down town
Howdy Rima, Plastic tunnels and mulch works wonders on melons. I've used it when I was in Edmonton. I cannot use them now because I'm out in the open bald, short grass prairie. The wind here blows like in one of Johnny Cash's songs 'blows like a mighty woman's scream'. Anchoring the plastic is a problem. I'll have to wait for the shelterbelt trees to get big enough before I can practice plasticulture. Thanks and peace Thean
Howdy Pierrot, Thanks for your suggestion. I am working in the Hort Centre you mentioned. Unfortunately the two people you mentioned knows nothing about melons other than eating them. Dr. Paul Ragan used to practice plasticulture very successfully. My problem is at home my place is wide open to strong winds. As explained to Rima earlier, I earlier have to wait till the shelterbelt is big enough or put up temporary shelter perhaps using snow fence if I want to practice plasticulture. Since grafting is easy, I thought a cold tolerant rootstock may solve my problems. Last week, a grower in Sweden agreed to send me some Cucurbita facifolia seeds. I'm excited and shall keep anyone interested posted. Peace Thean
i have seen a little bit on grafting watermelons onto gourd or squash rootstocks i have not tried it yet to see if it is possible and not sure if it would speed up the time to ripen or affect cold hardyness. all i have is some luffa sponge seeds and not sure if they are graft compatable with watermelons or not. will have to plant some along with some watermelons and see if i can graft them. here is a link to a youtube video grafting watermelon. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=isbGKb7Snzk
