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Vines bear male and female flowers. Male flowers open first, joined by female blossoms about a week later. Female flowers have a small swelling at the base of the flower. When vines start to bear male and female flowers, remove row covers so bees can visit the flowers. ... The key to a sweet melon is lots of sugar. Some gardeners like to switch fertilizer during the course of the growing season. During the time between transplanting and when the first flowers open, use a fertilizer with more nitrogen than phosphorus and potassium. Once flowering begins, use a fertilizer with less nitrogen and more phosphorus and potassium, such as African Violet Food or liquid seaweed. The vine needs all its leaves to produce the sugars that sweeten fruit. Anything that reduces the total number of leaves available for sugar production reduces melon sweetness.
The more fruits that ripen at the same time, the less sweet they'll be, since the vine will have to divide the leaves' sugar production between fruits. In warmer climes with a long growing season, experienced growers often prune off all but one newly forming melon every 2 weeks. Ripening 1 melon at a time yields maximum sweetness. As you gain experience, you'll develop your own technique.
Now, this may sound very bizarre but to induce pollination of your blossoms, get a couple of cans of cat food, empty the cans (not the oil from them) and place them among your vines. Watch the bees swarm...hopefully to pollinate the blossoms, therefore instant fruit/canteloupes. Good luck and thank you for your inquiry.
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If you ever have a problem with Ferry-Morse product, please let us know within one year of purchase. In the case of packet seeds, please return the empty packets and your sales receipt; in all other cases, the merchandise in question will need to be returned to us postage paid. Upon receipt we will replace your product or refund your purchase price.
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Gardener's Corner
How to force bulbs indoors, winning combinations, the Top 10 most nutritious vegetables and much more! Stop by our gardener's corner for tips, hints and how-to guidance
Ferry-Morse and P. Allen Smith
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From our Customers
I have 24 early girl plants I grew from your seeds. I am overwhelmed with their success. I planted on May 31 and picked my first 3 lbs. on July 31. At this point I have picked approx. 270 lbs.! and still going. We have had horrible growing conditions this year and I have harvested only about 50 lbs. off my other 70 tomato plants of other varieties. Next year..all early girl. Thank you, thank you, thank you."
- D. White
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