Allotment Gardening Advice Help Chat

Growing => Grow Your Own => Topic started by: scentedstock on January 21, 2008, 23:20

Title: Greenhouse - Melons
Post by: scentedstock on January 21, 2008, 23:20

I'm just about to get my first glass greenhouse and was wondering what could I start?

Anyone tried melons ?

Title: Greenhouse - Melons
Post by: flatcap on January 22, 2008, 07:06

i tried melons last year in the greenhouse,one thing iv learned for
this year is pollinate them by hand.

by the time we realised we had to do this we ended up with tennis ball sized melons

Title: Greenhouse - Melons
Post by: crowndale on January 22, 2008, 07:45

I'm going to try them this year, trying cape gooseberries as well and maybe a sweet potatoe if I can remember in time!

Title: Greenhouse - Melons
Post by: moggy on January 22, 2008, 09:23

i tried melons last year wtihout any success, this year i am determined to succeed

Title: Greenhouse - Melons
Post by: Aidy on January 22, 2008, 10:06

I am giving them a go too this year. not expecting much but hey if u dont try u wont succeed.

Title: Re: Greenhouse - Melons
Post by: Rob the rake on January 22, 2008, 10:53

Quote from: "scentedstock"

I'm just about to get my first glass greenhouse and was wondering what could I start?

Anyone tried melons ?

They'll take up a lot of space in the greenhouse if their growth potential is realised. I would think you could get away with growing them outdoors in your neck of the woods, but I don't have a lot of melon growing experience, perhaps some of our Southern members will know better than I.

Title: Greenhouse - Melons
Post by: gobs on January 22, 2008, 11:20

Yes, they need space, but you got to 'prune them' if you want the ripe fruit, so about 2x3m should be enough and you can squeeze 2 plants in there, you can't expect much more than 2-4 fruits to ripen. Polytunnel or a raised hot bed of muck on the sheltered side of the greenhouse would be better space economy.

For the greenhouse: tomato, pepper, chilli, aubergine all can be started in Feb onwards.

Title: Greenhouse - Melons
Post by: paintedlady on January 22, 2008, 11:40

I'm trying melons outdoors this year but I also know that they will be at the mercy of the British weather - a heatwave would be great, but anything like last year will have consequences.  But its a chance I'm willing to take

I'll also be extending my screening project which provided a windbreak cum sheltered spot - a bit like an open top cloche/coldframe.  Basically some wooden posts (I used lengths taken from pallets but any wood would do), some clear plastic sheeting (I used heavy duty plastic bags slit up the sides to make a longer length) and basically staple it to the posts.  It really did help.

Reading my seed packet instructions last night, it goes on about pinching off the growing shoot after the 7th set of leaves to encourage fruit production.