Growing Melons

daniel123

Hi there,

I am growing melons (F1 Emir) in a greenhouse that is heated. At the moment they are in a heated propogator with there first major set of leaves in 3.5 inch pots. They are falling over without support. They are about 15-20cm high. Should I transplant to a 5inch pot then to a 12inch pot or straight to 12 inch pot. Do i need to make a climbing frame? Or wait?
I am in a very mild part of the UK

Thanks,

Daniel

daniel123

Are melons vine plants? Is that why they are falling over?

Many Thanks in advance

Daniel.

P.s this the first time i grown melons or had access to a greenhouse!

Jason milly

Hello treat melons like cucumbers but more warmth, I find if they wilt (bend over) give them a good watering they like very damp pots, I tend to water from tray under pot and let compost soak it up as if you water above they can suffer from stem rot, hope that helps. 

daniel123

I am unsure on how to water from below as they are in a heated propagator at the moment. Should I support them aswell?

Thanks,

Daniel

Jason milly

I would water them around edge of pot or tray just keep the water away from the stem, you will have to give support at some stage but you will notice that when plant stem lies low and its tendrils start gripping, also when melons are produced put some netting under them like a sling to take the weight, you may find damage you have better melon success if you self pollution with a small paint brush I found I did. 

Nanny Beach

Yes, they are climbers like cucumbers, like a lot of warm, tried some last year, 2 seeds germinated, then died, neighbour had lots in greenhouse, have sowed half a dozen seeds this year, not one has germinated.

NewBoy2

I saved some seeds from a melon from the local F & V and I have a shoot after 4 weeks in the prop shed. I realise that that was the easy bit.....Nothing ventured etc

daniel123

Thanks for this. I did what was suggested as above and  they became much more upright.

But now they are falling over again with twine/stringy bits which i think are looking to latch onto something. What kind of support should i provide and should i transplant into final pot and if so of what size?

Thanks for your help so far!

fidgetbones

Pot them on into a larger pot. They will need some string or a frame for the tendrils to cling on to.  I would use a 12 inch pot or the size bucket that florists use (put holes in bottom) and stand on a tray to enable watering.  Plant the seedling on a mound in the centre of the bucket, with compost up to the first seed leaves You don't want water to sit in the centre of the bucket or the stem may rot off. After the young fruit form the fruit will need some extra support. If you know some well endowed ladies, an old bra is ideal. Otherwise make a small net to hold them up. My sister has never forgiven me, but we had some well supported melons that year.

Jason milly

Give them plenty of heat and plenty of water otherwise they sulk,  I don't think you should pot them up to first leave but big pot and net support and stand in tray as mentioned before. 

BLT

NewBoy2 said:

I saved some seeds from a melon from the local F & V and I have a shoot after 4 weeks in the prop shed. I realise that that was the easy bit.....Nothing ventured etc

Hi I did that last year with Butternut squashes, got luxuiant vines and flowers but no fruit at all. I found out the growers irradiate the fruits to extend  the storage times of the fruit soo no crop for this sort of saved seeds...  I will be buying a plant this time around lol Good luck.