melon Emir F1

Kili

Hi Guys, your advice please. I'm still learning about this gardening lark and decided to grow some Melons ( Emir F1) in my greenhouse this year so Purchased some Melon ( Emir F1) seed.

On reading the instructions it states:

'Pollinate by inserting male flower into female flower which has tiny fruit at the base'

My question is does the plant produce both male and female flowers and I pollinate from those or do I need a male and female plant to pollinate?.

I reason that it produces male and female flowers and i pollinate from that plant, is that correct?

Also there's nothing about sowing times. Do melons take a long time to produce true leaves or can I plant in March to start them off in a propagator?

Many Thanks

Last edited: 16 January 2018 17:17:48

Singing Gardener

I don't grow Emir but I think all melon plants produce both male and female flowers.

Personally I don't bother to pollinate the flowers manually but have automatic louvres on my greenhouse so there are usually plenty of insects to do it.

I sow the seeds in early March in a propagator as melons plants take a long time to produce fruits.

Kili

Hi Singing Gardener. Apologies for not responding sooner work and all that getting in the way. Roll on retirement.

If all you have to do is let nature take its course to pollinate I'll do that.

I'll do an early start and sow as you suggest at the start of March to get them moving . I have a couple of nice heated propagators to get them going.

Thanks for your help

Regards