Big melon to be sold at Neighbor Days

BENTON, Mo. -- Giant watermelon growers Bob and Tina Dwyer of Sikeston, Mo., say the first question is always what does it weigh, and second, can you eat it?

The answer to the first varies, but the second is always, "Yes, it's delicious."

Along with selling potato ribbons and deep-fried corn, the Kelly High School Freshman Class of Benton will be raffling off a 160-plus pound watermelon donated by the Dwyers at Benton Neighbor Days Aug. 30 and 31. Proceeds will go toward Project Graduation 2006.

"I just want the kids to have fun doing it. Whatever we make, we'll be happy with," said Linda Glastetter, mother of Courtney Glastetter, freshman class president. "I just hope someone local wins it so I can taste it."

A 188-pound watermelon donated by the Dwyers to Kelly Elementary last year raised $1,875 for computer equipment, according to Glastetter and the Dwyers.

"That's what this is all about -- sharing and giving back to the community," Bob said. "The thing about watermelons is that they cross every barrier in society -- all ethnic backgrounds -- because everyone, at some point, has had a good experience with a watermelon. Dispositions change when you show up with a giant watermelon, and that is where we get our reward."

Reached 242 pounds

If he sounds philosophical about watermelons, it's because he is.

The Dwyers have been trying to raise a watermelon to break the world record for the past eight years. Two years ago, the couple got within 20 pounds and set a new Missouri state record with a melon that weighed 242 pounds. They broke their old record, which they have done more than once.

"It's hard to let go of a 200-pounder," Bob said. "So we just had a big party and saved the seeds."

The current world record for the largest watermelon is held by Dwyer's friend and mentor, Bill Carson of Arrington, Tenn., according to Dwyer. He raised a 262-pound watermelon in 1990 that measured 42 inches long and 64 inches in circumference.

Glastetter found out about the Dwyers' giant watermelon when she attended a Benton Chamber of Commerce meeting where she was to inform board members what kind of food stand the freshman class planned to host at the upcoming picnic.

"When one of the board members asked me if we would want the watermelon, I said sure," Glastetter said. "We want to get started early on Project Graduation."

As of Thursday, the Carolina Cross watermelon to be raffled off measured 32 inches long and 55 inches in circumference. It is from these measurements that the Dwyers can estimate weight. They won't know the melon's final weight until they pull the it off the vine on the morning of Aug. 30.

"During their rapid-development period, these watermelons can gain seven pounds a day for about 10 days," Bob said. "That is when you could sit here and watch it grow."

A lot of work

Giant watermelons require four men to lift them, and they do so with one man on each corner of a burlap sack. Burlap sacks and a plywood table are also used to cover the watermelons so they don't sunburn. Sunburning could inhibit the growth of the melons.

It takes a lot of vine to raise such a big melon. The Dwyers set out three watermelon plants in a 60-by-80-foot plot, which is now covered in vines.

It also takes a lot of work. The Dwyers tend their melons every day, morning and evening. They hand pollinate them with an artist's paintbrush. They keep an eye on insects and fungi. They fence out the coyotes and other pests.

"I've pulled a thousand pounds of culls from this vine," Dwyer said, "and sometimes I wonder why I am out here at 4 o'clock in the morning before work. But when we load one up and see people's reactions, it's all worth it."

To raise giant watermelons, you start with good genetics and some research, provide lots of water, then you keep experimenting, Dwyer recommended.

"With these genetics, anybody could raise 100-pounders all day long, but when you start getting up to 150 pounds and over, that's when you are really putting out the effort," Dwyer said.

Dwyer keeps a daily diary of rainfall, temperature, climate and soil conditions, fertilizer responses and measurements. In this way, he has built up eight years of records to help eliminate some of the guesswork.

The formula used to calculate weight is important, according to Dwyer. He obtained it from Carson when he purchased some equipment and notes from the world-record holder. Carson paid a mathematician to figure it out.

Dwyer has been told that he freely shares a lot more secrets than most giant watermelon growers, but he does have a price tag on that formula and nobody has met his price yet.

"We think it is very generous of the Dwyers to donate us this watermelon," said Stephen Strobel, freshman class vice president. "We really appreciate it."

Raffle tickets cost $1 each or six for $5. Contact any Kelly freshman class member/parent or Linda Glastetter at 545-3040. The Dwyers will deliver the melon within 100 miles.

For more information on giant watermelons, check out the Dwyers' Web site: www.melonman.com.

jgosche@semissourian.com

335-6611, extension 133