Melon trellis

[kris1960]

Would love some advice on growing melons vertically- not really enough room in polytunnel for the ammount I have planted(20ish).

Have never grown them before so would really appreciate some help from you kind folks!

[Penellype]

I've never grown melons before either, and I'm giving 2 "outdoor" varieties a try this time (Alvaro and Magenta). I'm going to try them outdoors, in my growhouse and in my friend's greenhouse. I'm not quite sure what to expect, but I'm assuming they will behave a bit like cucumbers, so I'm goign to give them something to climb up. In the greenhouse I have some of those shelving units with mesh shelves, and I thought I would allow the greenhouse ones to climb up those, hoping that the melons will then be supported on the actual shelves. Outside I am likely to make some sort of trellis with canes and support any fruit with nets or perhaps some old tights. Not quite sure what I will do in the growhouse, which is only about 3ft high - I think that will be a case of see what happens and act accordingly!

[muddled]

my 'minnesota midgets' came with instructions to pinch them out at 18 inches and train the resulting two side shoots along a horizontal support, such as a suspended cane.

[BUFFS]

I grow each one of mine up one of those (usually wooden) concertina frames that they sell in the pound shops, I put a screw in the greenhouse rafter and tie a loop of twine (6-8ins across) onto the top two pieces of the frame then loop this(7ft height) onto the screw and rest the bottom ends into the back of the 10ins pot and as it grows I tie it in or let it wrap itself around the frame, I use sections of old tights (make sure you ask first) belonging to OH, tied to the frame to support the weight of the fruit. at the end of the season just fold the frame together and pack away for next year, I have been doing this for some years and it costs very little.

[Jungle Jane]

I'm growing Alvaro melon too,pinch them out at 5 leaf stage & train 4 strongest shoots,get rid of the others. I'm growing it up hessian netting thrown over an old swing. They are very similar to cucumbers,mound the soil up around the stem to avoid stem rot. I'm growing cucumbers right next to them,they're good companion plants.
As you've got so many plants,you can train them using string like a tomato plant,the stems are very movable when they're without fruit,I got powdery mildew on mine undercover last year & it spread,but not to the cucumber. I did spray some watery soap or milk or something on it,I can't remember? I'm wondering would it be better to split your plants into 2 groups,so if one lot have a problem,the other plants could escape it? If you grow one in a pot,you can put 4 bamboo sticks in the corners,around the outside.

[kris1960]

Thank you all for your advice - sorry that I haven't replied until now- struggling with the polytunnel in this wind. I have so many that I will try all suggestions and report back.

[NatalieCooke]

Here's a couples of pictures from last year.

[Penellype]

What are the clips you are using to hold the stems onto the canes Natalie? I've been looking for something similar but the ones recommended in a Youtube video I saw are only available in America.

[NatalieCooke]

I'm not sure where my father in law got the clips from but these are the same other then their size.
I love them use them to clip the tomato plants to the canes.
http://http://m.ebay.co.uk/itm/321749748089?nav=SEARCH

[Bigmallly]

The links not working Nat but I think it's these:

20 PACK SPRING LOADED SPRUNG PLASTIC PLANT CLIPS GARDEN TIES EASY TO USE | eBay

[cristalfiona]

The links not working Nat but I think it's these:

20 PACK SPRING LOADED SPRUNG PLASTIC PLANT CLIPS GARDEN TIES EASY TO USE | eBay

They have what looks like that exact same pack in poundland, if there's one near you...

I think I also saw them in b&M, but not sure how much they were there.

[Penellype]

Thanks - will have a look. I'm mainly looking for something to attach tomatoes to strings with, but I'm likely to need something for melons too.

[NatalieCooke]

The ones from poundland aren't the same. They dont clip on the canes very well.