Topic: Melons and Cucumbers

[SMP1704]

I'm planning on growing cucumbers as well as melons in the polytunnel this year.  In the past I have grown outdoor cucumbers.

I'm planning to use ring culture and have built a trellis type support using bamboo canes - then it occured to me..........will the melons and cucs cross polinate as they will be next to each other and if they do, is it a problem.  I don't plan to save the seeds.

Thanks

[manicscousers]

hope not, we've done this for a few years, never had a problem  ;D
also, we grow our outdoor cucumbers in the poly, don't use the ring culture method though  :)

[saddad]

If you aren't saving seeds there will be no problem... even if you are I'd have to check... I don't think they cross pollinate...  :-\

[SMP1704]

Thanks - that was the right answer ;D ;D ;D - I didn't want to undo all my prep!

Manics - I use ring culture to help with watering

[manicscousers]

we use the 'cut the bottom off a 2 ltr pop bottle, upend it and bury it next to the plant' method  ;D

[SMP1704]

So do I, with black buckits - I never said I was using 'posh' ring culture ;D ;D ;D

[davyw1]

The only problem i see depends on what type of cucumber you are growing, if you are growing F1s ( all female flowers ) then that will be fine, but if you are growing none F! then any pollonation will give you a bitter cucumber.

[SMP1704]

Thanks for that Davy - I (was) am growing Wautoma a non F1 type - back to the seed shop or perhaps the swap shop ;D