Growing Melons

[Ryleh]

So I recently purchased some seed which arrived in the post yesterday and amongst the seeds I'd ordered I found a free gift of Eldoraro melon seeds.

I'm willing to try and grow just about anything so I thought I'd have a bash. How difficult are melons to cultivate? Has anyone grown either melon or that specific variety before? How much space do they need?

Any tips people can offer would be appreciated. Assuming I go ahead and try then I'll find a spot in my polytunnel to grow them as I understand it will be easier to get the right temperature in there than outside.

[skeggijon]

I grow melons and had a fair degree of success this year, with 6 melons, bit the can be tricky little blighters.
There's lots of info online about how to grow them, using large piles of manure and keeping them warm and draught free, but at the end of the day I've found that success or failure each year is largely down to luck. I love the challenge though and there's nothing quite like the pleasure (smugness) of eating a homegrown melon

[Ryleh]

What size bed do you usually use for yours?

[veggiechicken]

These threads from earlier this year may help
http://www.growfruitandveg.co.uk/gra...ghlight=melons
http://www.growfruitandveg.co.uk/gra...ghlight=melons

[BUFFS]

treat them the same as tomatoes but grow them up a frame made of two upright canes with cross pieces every 6ins to tie the vine onto and I use OH's old tights ,cut to 8ins, knotted one end and a string attached to the other end, the male flowers will come first but look for buds with a bulge behind on the stem, that's the female flower, when in flower use a kiddies small paintbrush to stroke the male flower and then do the same to the female, once the fruit starts swelling slip the old tights over the fruit and tie onto a crosspiece, which will support the fruit and stop it ripping itself off the plant when the fruit starts to ballon, I feed the same as toms and when you smell the aroma and the base "gives" when you press it with your thumb then its just about ready to eat. all the faffing about is a waste of time and effort, not needed, and we grow them on the west coast of Scotland, usually 5deg + lower temp than down on the Sheffield area so just grow the same as toms and enjoy, as for the manure , put it on roses or rhubarb , as req......