Can you grow cantelopes on a trellis?

[Kricket]

Yes you can, I did it last year, worked GREAT! I grew them next to my cucumber and I used knee highs to put the melons into when they started to get big and then tied them to the trellis with the knee high to support the extra weight. I got about 2 good melons per plant, and using the trellis I was able to get about 8 melons total on one trellis they shared with cucumbers. All in a 4'x3 1/2' raised bed!

P.s.- When I saw Kricket, I thought you were my best friend finally checking out this site... but alas... you are not my Kricket!

but WELCOME!!!

Thanks for your input. I am going to go ahead with the project. Sorry about the mix-up. I have been called Kricket since I was a toddler by my Uncle/Aunt and Grandpa. Never have heard them call me by my real name. I asked how I got the name and they said I hopped around like a cricket. Funny, I don't remember.

 

[LVVCHAP]

I am going to try to grow them near the fence around my garden. I just picked up some seeds that will produce smaller fruit.

 

[lupinfarm]

There was a lady by my brothers old school in Stirling who grew her pumpkins on her picket fence. I remember distinctly one of the pumpkins grew between 2 pickets. It was great lol

 

[desertgirl]

I think I hears you can container frow them (with a trelis). True?:/

 

[desertgirl]

Any pics,vfem? I'm having a hard time picturing this....:/

 

[vfem]

Hmmm... I may have a far off shot, but I never thought to photo that?! I can see if I can find it... but it was a metal and bamboo trellis I am using again this year.

Important! Don't forget the knee highs! The vine attached to the melon becomes fragile as it ripens and can drop your melon if it gets too heavy. And it may not be ripened enough for you by then.

 

[vfem]

See the 2 bamboo trunks on the left side raised bed, that's what they were growing up. I didn't have any close ups... sorry.

 

[lesa]

I thought I would have to support my pumpkins growing on the garden fence. Kept meaning to get out the old pantyhose. Never did, and the pumpkins reached maybe 10 pounds with no problem. I think smaller melons would be perfect. I am going to try my cantelopes on the fence this year...Good luck!

 

[Kricket]

vfem....I love your garden!!! Great pic.

lesa, My DH had the bright idea of using the orange plastic construction fencing that we have on hand. He staked it up with T-post. It was a waste of time and I knew it. The cukes grew through the holes and were useless to me (however the chickens loved them) and it got so heavy the fence was bogging down. We even have extra chain link fencing and I wont use it either. But I'm glad to hear that your pumpkins did fine. I may experiment with growing them on the trellis.

I wonder if you could use those mesh bags that the onions come in to use for supporting the fruits when they get larger?

 

[desertgirl]

So they were in a raised bed? They grow well ? I wanted to try in my SFG, but was afraid they needed to sprawl too much...