Allotment Gardening Advice Help Chat

Growing => Growing in Greenhouses & Polytunnels => Topic started by: TonyB. on July 01, 2019, 21:22

Title: Melon (Emir)
Post by: TonyB. on July 01, 2019, 21:22
1st year I have had a greenhouse so thought I would try to grow melons. Put the 1st seedlings out in the greenhouse a bit early it seems as they succumbed to the cold. Fortunately I was growing a second batch with the intention of planting outside. (the catalogue said they would grow in a good summer outdoors!). Anyway those were planted in the greenhouse as a replacement for the 1st lot.
During this process I forgot the instruction to pinch out the growing stem at 7 leaf stage. They are now just over 3ft tall with a considerable amount of flowers, some signs of budding fruit.
Question - should I cut them back or will they still produce useable fruit?
They are growing in the ground not a grow bag. I dug a deepish hole which I 3/4 filled with cow manure then topped up with soil so no lack of nutrients.
Title: Re: Melon (Emir)
Post by: Plot 1 Problems on July 01, 2019, 23:31
I've grown the same variety for the last two years and you definitely need to cut them back or otherwise you end up with tons of foliage and tiny fruits. I've found that they tolerate a hard cut if you're late to pinch out. I also restrict each plant to no mare than 3 fruit to make sure you get some nice sized melons. Also watch for ants, I lost a really good melon last year to the *!
Title: Re: Melon (Emir)
Post by: jaydig on July 02, 2019, 08:51
I'm trying this one for the first time this year, so perhaps you can answer a question for me.   The majority of the flowers appear to be female, with very few male flowers appearing.  Does this melon require hand pollination, and if so what is the best way to go about it.  I ask because almost all of what appear to be potential fruits are turning yellow at the tiny stage, and dropping off.
Or is is something else I'm doing wrong?
Title: Re: Melon (Emir)
Post by: Plot 1 Problems on July 02, 2019, 16:00
Not had that issue myself, though a plot neighbour does have to hand pollinate his watermelons as he doesn't get many pollinators in his greenhouse.
Title: Re: Melon (Emir)
Post by: TonyB. on July 02, 2019, 16:54
1. Thank you plot 1 for answering the question as I was lost :-)
2. Hey I am new to this game - I can just about sex a dog or a cat, not a flower.

I will cut back a bit then when the fruits are more developed pinch out  the excess.

Than you for the advice.
Title: Re: Melon (Emir)
Post by: Plot 1 Problems on July 02, 2019, 18:30
No worries Tony. Just don't expect mega sized fruit, they're nothing like the super-sized things you get in the supermarket ;)
Title: Re: Melon (Emir)
Post by: sunshineband on July 03, 2019, 07:29
But you know when they are ripe because you can smell their perfume as you open the door in the morning... and they are luscious  :D :D :D