Melon hammocks

[Guest]

Yes I know that just sounds wrong

Anyhoo, next year I have decided to go all out in an attempt to grow melons. So I have just had a gurgle at making your own melon hammocks and most of them show solid fabric rather than netting. I would have thought this would encourage rot and beastie issues, just wanted to see what you reckon and if by chance you have any decent hammock designs.

Please feel free to give any tips on melon growing as they do seem to be a pain in the bum fruit.........but I am determined

Thank you as always

[veggiechicken]

Oh No ................who'll be first with the big bra photo

[bearded bloke]

I THINK they make them solid so that the fruit doesn't show the mesh pattern on it's skin, I also seem to remember being told that hammocks were best made from men's cotton handkerchiefs, this was because the natural fabric breathed & so there was no problem from rot induced by sweating.

But as with so many things gardening those may both be "old wives tales"

[bearded bloke]

Oh No ................who'll be first with the big bra photo

I did think about it , but then decided to do a sensible reply

[Bigmallly]

I did think about it , but then decided to do a sensible reply

Why change the habit of a lifetime BB...................go on, you know you want to..............

[bearded bloke]

But popular request (It does sort of agree with my first post, cotton & not mesh ) ..........

[veggiechicken]

Is that Bob Flourdew? I can see his plait on the right melon?
Apologies, NG, for the tangentisation but, I just had to know.

Normal service will be resumed shortly

[bearded bloke]

Normal service will be resumed shortly

And here it is (gotta be some sort of record, ME doing TWO serious posts in the first page of a thread)

OK, I done some digging & found an old thread on melon growing that gives soil ph & other handy stuff ..... http://www.growfruitandveg.co.uk/gra...ease_4965.html

[Guest]

Is that Bob Flourdew? I can see his plait on the right melon?
Apologies, NG, for the tangentisation but, I just had to know.

Normal service will be resumed shortly

Its fine, I quite enjoy the tangentisation in threads I get helpful advice and a laugh all at the same time. It is even more enjoyable when the weather is cold, wet, blowy and makes me feel a bit miserable. Anyhoo...............as you were

[Kirk]

If I recall correct when I grew mine I used a couple of the net bags that you buy satsuma's in down the supermarket. Just be sure to not make a big hole or cut in it as you want it to remain a bag.

[Bigmallly]

Not for Melons but last year made some bag support type thingys out of debris netting to support climbing squashes.

[jackarmy]

Oh No ................who'll be first with the big bra photo

afraid i had too, first thing and all that

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o2ecYyZtROE

[BUFFS]

I use old tights cut to 8-9ins, knotted one end, slipped around the melon while they are still small and tied to the climbing frame made from canes,then let grow, after 15yrs I haven't had a problem with them, this year the problem is that it is too cold for the melons to grow properly, been raining solid for 2 days, had to put the heating on today again......big swearword....