Watermelons

[bpitt]

Well, we've harvested a few melons, but most ain't doing too good. The ends get this black rot looking stuff on the ends, anyone know why? Did the drought we had earlier do this? The ones that are making are getting busted by the deer, season may have to open early this year.

[bpitt]

Ours are turning out funny looking, too. Aside from the black blossom rot looking stuff, they're shaped funny. Kinda like pear shaped, bigger on one end than the other, I just don't get it.....

[Guru]

Color and shape, sounds like you did have some unbalanced rain/growth going on.

[eyescene]

I read somewhere about planting WM in sand?

[swamp man]

Yep,the end rot is likey due to all the rainfall as of late.Having a melon patch on well-drained soil helps out a grip in that aspect.The funky shape is probably because they weren't thoroughly pollenated.Bees will go to melon blossoms,but aren't overly attracted to them.It's
a good idea to have something that bees really dig planted near your melon patch.Basil is super-easy,and the bees will come flocking to it.
A a side-note,I see more rot problems with the larger varieties."Sugar baby" and "Bush baby" have both worked out for me real well in this area.

[Ted]

Well, we've harvested a few melons, but most ain't doing too good. The ends get this black rot looking stuff on the ends, anyone know why? Did the drought we had earlier do this? The ones that are making are getting busted by the deer, season may have to open early this year.
That's oftentimes from low soil calcium and fluctuating soil moisture levels.

Check This (http://pubs.caes.uga.edu/caespubs/horticulture/blossom-rot.html) out.;)