Charantais melons

[pigletwillie]

Flushed with some friends success with melons grown inside and out last year we are growing a couple of varieties but concentrating on Charantais.

Our aim is to grow them up several arches but never having grown them before, how rampant are they (would they be better left on the ground) and secondly are the fruit heavy enough to need the "wonderbra" treatment to support them.

Cast off bras gratefully recieved

[nick the grief]

Depends what sort I guess Piglet. I've grown Ogon in the past and that got about Grapefruit size but some of them are more like Chesty Morgan than Twiggy

[jacob marley]

Cast off bras gratefully recieved [/QUOTE]

I think there some spare ones hanging about in cheshire
jacob

[Tigger]

You'll need some help from Jordan Piglet if they grow as well as mine have! I let them them roam over gravel on the ground - can't cope with the weight!

[wellie]

Like Nick, I've only tried growing Ogen before, and ours were Grapefruit-sized as well. I'd say you could 'manage them' ok on those arches, as long as you follow growing guidelines for pinching out and tying in etc. because presumably, you're going for quality fruits, rather than quantity.

Get friends and family to save those little orange string bags that oranges and tangerines are sold in in the supermarkets. They will serve you better than a busty little wench's jumper bumper hammock. I also use old tights and stockings for supporting heavy fruits such as melons and squashes as very soft, very flexible and doesn't cut into the fruits or stem.