Diaper Swappers

3lilbubs · 07-12-2012, 04:08 PM

I have cantaloupe,honeydew and watermelon. The first two types have several close to mature fruits on each vine. As a result no more fruit is setting. The watermelons produced two deformed fruits which cracked before they got bigger than a cantaloupe.

So I removed them and while the vines are still growing and healthy they are not producing female flowers, just male.

All these vines are also infested with aphids that are out of control. I have newer melon vines growing, about 45 days old. There are about 100 growing days left in my season give or take a little. I'm considering ripping out the old vines when the current fruits are harvested. One, because they are unhealthy due to the aphid takeover and two because I see no indication at all of potential to fruit and to do so on unhealthy vines would be pointless wouldn't it? WWYD? I'm so frustrated, last year we had amazing melon vines!

Sweet_Fantasy_Fox · 07-12-2012, 04:13 PM

no idea but try this
http://www.ehow.com/how_4030_rid-aphids-naturally.html

3lilbubs · 07-12-2012, 04:16 PM

TY Sally! I have been spraying them with a insecticidal soap (forgot to mention that) but I swear for every billion of those nasty little things I kill, 20 billion more appear. I think this year's dry spring and summer has make the insects even more voracious.

Sweet_Fantasy_Fox · 07-12-2012, 07:30 PM

aww, I haven't grown anything before and wasn't sure what aphids were so looked it up and found that link with info. I'd go collect ladybugs since they eat them right up and I love ladybugs anyway, so pretty..lol

leila03ash · 07-12-2012, 07:47 PM

I'm wondering the same thing. I live in Austin and I think I'm going to pull them and try planting more from seed. we will see how it goes. This was my first time doing cantaloupe and I got 3 melons, only 2 were ripe enough to eat. Hoping I do better next time.

3lilbubs · 07-12-2012, 11:04 PM

found a couple of tiny little pea sized watermelons on the new growth vines. I'm going to give them 2 weeks to set fruit and if they don't or the aphids take more than 50% of the leaves I'm going to pull them out.

07-12-2012, 04:08 PM	#1
3lilbubs Registered Users Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: California Posts: 18,234 Ratings: 312 Feedback: 100%	Should I rip out my melon vines? I have cantaloupe,honeydew and watermelon. The first two types have several close to mature fruits on each vine. As a result no more fruit is setting. The watermelons produced two deformed fruits which cracked before they got bigger than a cantaloupe. So I removed them and while the vines are still growing and healthy they are not producing female flowers, just male. All these vines are also infested with aphids that are out of control. I have newer melon vines growing, about 45 days old. There are about 100 growing days left in my season give or take a little. I'm considering ripping out the old vines when the current fruits are harvested. One, because they are unhealthy due to the aphid takeover and two because I see no indication at all of potential to fruit and to do so on unhealthy vines would be pointless wouldn't it? WWYD? I'm so frustrated, last year we had amazing melon vines! __________________ Liz - mama to four boys * Connor 11/16/02 * Riley 11/14/03 * Danny 8/23/06 * Wyatt 5/24/10*

07-12-2012, 04:13 PM	#2
Sweet_Fantasy_Fox *Administrator* ~Proud mommy of 4~ Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: ~West Coast~ USA Posts: 59,456 Ratings: 610 Feedback: 100% My Mood:	Re: Should I rip out my melon vines? no idea but try this http://www.ehow.com/how_4030_rid-aphids-naturally.html __________________ Sally, wife to D, mama to D, D, N, & A Join Swagbucks~I've earned $410!! ~My sweet Danae is a Cancer Survivor, 6 years!!~ ISO Coke Reward Points~PM me

07-12-2012, 04:16 PM	#3
3lilbubs Registered Users Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: California Posts: 18,234 Ratings: 312 Feedback: 100%	Re: Should I rip out my melon vines? TY Sally! I have been spraying them with a insecticidal soap (forgot to mention that) but I swear for every billion of those nasty little things I kill, 20 billion more appear. I think this year's dry spring and summer has make the insects even more voracious. __________________ Liz - mama to four boys * Connor 11/16/02 * Riley 11/14/03 * Danny 8/23/06 * Wyatt 5/24/10*

07-12-2012, 07:30 PM	#4
Sweet_Fantasy_Fox *Administrator* ~Proud mommy of 4~ Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: ~West Coast~ USA Posts: 59,456 Ratings: 610 Feedback: 100% My Mood:	Re: Should I rip out my melon vines? aww, I haven't grown anything before and wasn't sure what aphids were so looked it up and found that link with info. I'd go collect ladybugs since they eat them right up and I love ladybugs anyway, so pretty..lol __________________ Sally, wife to D, mama to D, D, N, & A Join Swagbucks~I've earned $410!! ~My sweet Danae is a Cancer Survivor, 6 years!!~ ISO Coke Reward Points~PM me

07-12-2012, 11:04 PM	#6
3lilbubs Registered Users Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: California Posts: 18,234 Ratings: 312 Feedback: 100%	Re: Should I rip out my melon vines? found a couple of tiny little pea sized watermelons on the new growth vines. I'm going to give them 2 weeks to set fruit and if they don't or the aphids take more than 50% of the leaves I'm going to pull them out. __________________ Liz - mama to four boys * Connor 11/16/02 * Riley 11/14/03 * Danny 8/23/06 * Wyatt 5/24/10*