[TexasHomesteader]

I have a mixed watermelon and cantelope patch. The catelopes seem to be doing well but the watermelons are not fruiting as much as of yet.
I just found 2 of the watermelons that looked good a few days ago and I put them on a board to keep out of the dirt. today I found the 2 watermelons rotted. anyone know if this looks like a disease or bugs ?? no bugs are eating any leaves. I hate to lose any melons, any ideas ??
thanks

 

[MaKettle]

I don't know sorry. That's what my tomatoes look like if they grow against a vine in wet weather. Mishapen with black scars. Or if they grow too quickly. That's the closest I have to any suggestions though

 

[AlabastorOwl]

Looks like blossom end rot. Apply bone meal to supply calcium.
I've also used Epsom salt with success.

 

[LeftCoast Grower]

Yep, blossom end rot for sure.
Major calcium deficiency, treatment would give a 50/50 chance of plant survival.
No treatment would give almost 100% plant death.
As alabasterowl said, Epsom salt and bone meal can help...as well as gypsum.
Root uptake may be too late but certainly worth a try. Be very cautious with irrigation.
Good luck.

 

[TexasHomesteader]

Yep, blossom end rot for sure.
Major calcium deficiency, treatment would give a 50/50 chance of plant survival.
No treatment would give almost 100% plant death.
As alabasterowl said, Epsom salt and bone meal can help...as well as gypsum.
Root uptake may be too late but certainly worth a try. Be very cautious with irrigation.
Good luck.

Thanks to you and alabaster
I will get some bonemeal tommorrow, how much should I use around the base of each plant ?

the plants look fine. just the melons going bad

thanks

 

[digger65]

Yep ... just needs calcium.

 

[LeftCoast Grower]

Thanks to you and alabaster
I will get some bonemeal tommorrow, how much should I use around the base of each plant ?

the plants look fine. just the melons going bad

thanks

I would infuse a pound of bone meal directly around the stems (without making contact), and finger cultivate carefully to send the powder down a couple of inches. Irrigate lightly...just enough to help the bone meal to start breakdown.

*** Soaking the bone meal with compost first helps breakdown/uptake speed.
Use a 2:1 mix (bone meal/compost) allow to soak for an hour and drain fluids before use.
Allowing the mixture to spend the hour in direct sunlight really adds the the blending.

 

[Mortimer]

I agree with the others it is definitely bloom end rot.

It is caused by a calcium deficiency in the fruit, but that does not necessarily mean you need to add calcium to your soil. Improper or irregular watering can also impede the delivery of calcium to the fruit, even if your soil has plenty of calcium in it.

For me at least, watermelons have always given me the most trouble. I've never added calcium to my soil. Water at the same time and roughly the same amount every day, or maybe every other day, depending on how hot it is. Oh wait you're in Texas so every day for sure

I use some cheap mechanical timers on soaker hoses. Walk out, crank the dial to 30 mins and walk back inside.

 

[TexasHomesteader]

I would infuse a pound of bone meal directly around the stems (without making contact), and finger cultivate carefully to send the powder down a couple of inches. Irrigate lightly...just enough to help the bone meal to start breakdown.

*** Soaking the bone meal with compost first helps breakdown/uptake speed.
Use a 2:1 mix (bone meal/compost) allow to soak for an hour and drain fluids before use.
Allowing the mixture to spend the hour in direct sunlight really adds the the blending.

Ok
I got some bone meal today and will try it.

I didnt see anywhere on the package where it says it has any calcium, of course I guess all bones shold have calcium.

anyway I also got a bag of pelletized lime that is 21 % calcium
should I also use any lime or just go with the bone meal.??

I have 3 lbs of bone meal and 22 watermelon plants.
thanks

 

[LeftCoast Grower]

For 22 plants, I would all three pounds of bone meal.
Double dosing by adding lime too could be too much to handle.