Melon, singular

[catjac1975]

Put your melons on top of a inverted plant pot that has holes. Not when they are real small but, when they are beginning to get some size. It will bring them into the sun for more sweetness, and prevent them from being hollowed out by a mouse.

 

[jackb]

We started six plants in Ava's small raised bed melon patch. For weeks they did absolutely nothing and we were about to give up. Then, we got several days of mid 90s temperatures with lots of rain and the patch literally took off. The plants are well out of the raised bed and growing all over the back, totally out of control. That said, we have lost count of the melons on the plants, as they are pretty much everywhere you look. The plants are loaded with flowers with bees and other flying insects pollinating the flowers constantly. The melons are sweet and early cantaloupes, but I have no idea of when we should pick them, as we have never tried melons because we thought it would be a waste of time in New York.

Jack B

 

[thistlebloom]

Wow, I bet Ava is excited! That's an experiment that's really paid off it sounds like. I have a tough time with melons also, so maybe I should try that variety. Looking forward to see how you like them!

 

[jackb]

Wow, I bet Ava is excited! That's an experiment that's really paid off it sounds like. I have a tough time with melons also, so maybe I should try that variety. Looking forward to see how you like them!

Someone, from Maine I think, recommended the sweet and early for our region. My thinking was that if they will grow in Maine they will sure as heck grow in New York.

Jack B

 

[digitS']

. . . I have no idea of when we should pick them, as we have never tried melons because we thought it would be a waste of time in New York.

Jack B

Jack B, there are different indicators of ripeness depending on variety. It sounds like you may have enuf to experiment with and take some risks.

Some melons "slip" from the vine when they are ripe. Some, actually come off a couple of days before ripening. Others will not come off that vine without cutting long after they are over-ripe!

I read the comments on your variety at the Burpee website. The only gardener who said anything about harvest timing said that he/she waited until the melon came off the vine. A little encouragement may have been given . . .

Many of the comments referred to fragrance. There are some melons that you can smell and know that they are ripe. They will no longer have any "green" plant smell but will be giving off "fruity" fragrances!

I don't know about thumping a cantaloupe. Feel may be good since there should be some softness. Changes in color may work but may also require some experience. Of course, if they turn out nice - experience should be just a season or 2 away! Best of Luck !

Steve

 

[jackb]

And I thought that the hard part was behind us.... Thanks Steve.

Jack B

 

[897tgigvib]

Ok! So the experiment is working...

Next year Ava purchases 360 acres of prime farmland and plants it all to MELONS.

Next thing ya know, Ava becomes world famous as the youngest and best melon grower in the world!

I volunteer as taste tester!

 

[jackb]

Hmmm, there just happens to be a farm for sale right down the road from my house. We'll have to check the funds in her piggy bank.

Jack B

 

[so lucky]

Does anybody know if watermelons are heavy feeders? Should I be giving fish fertilizer to my melon plants that are planted in fairly rich/compost soil?

Also, does it stunt or hurt the vines to move them if they are growing in the wrong direction? I have had to break the little tendrils to get them off the fence, and away from the lawn mower. But I haven't bent/broken the vines themselves.

I actually have at least 3 little watermelons growing on the vines. They are a long way from eating size, though!

 

[MontyJ]

I wouldn't consider watermelons a heavy feeder necessarily. They do like their fertilizer in stages, much like tomatoes and pumpkins. When I grow melons (when one of the DD's asks for them) I start with a light N fert like Alaska fish. After the blooms start coming on, I will usually switch to Kelp for more K and P. If your soil is ammended with plenty of compost, you probably shouldn't have to do anything. As far as moving the vines, that's fine. Breaking the tendrils won't hurt anything. The worst possible outcome would happen if you got some high winds that rolled the plants before they got a chance to anchor themselves down again.