Cucumbers and Melons.

[gardenqueen]

After a horrible year health wise for both myself and OH  I am at last getting back into the swing of things, greenhouse wise anyway.
I have some cucumber plants and melons both of which are romping away! So many side shoots on the cucumbers, so what do I do about them? Would the melons need the same advice you can give me for the cucumbers please. I grew the melons from seed I kept and can't remember if they are honeydew or galia. Am I likely to get fruit or is it waste of time trying?

[gardenqueen]

[antipodes]

I am not quite sure what the question is?? 
If you live in the south, the cukes can probably go outside, my cukes too are in flower. If you don't have much space, you can grow them up stakes as long as they are well tied on.
Melons are tricky, A friend had good results by planting them in a hollowed out area and covering this 'pit' with fleece. If you keep them in the greenhouse, it had better be big! They spread a lot. They need lots of water and food. However from saved seed, you might get odd fruit. You can't really tell.

[gardenqueen]

I was really asking about how long do I keep the side shoots on cucumber plants. If I keep them growing as I have done so far and have some fruit on these, will it detract from a good crop? I have got some melons already but not sure if they will gro to full size. I have just let them tumble over the staging!

[antipodes]

Oh I see. I am not sure if it affects the growth, in general, if things like that grow 'off the side' it doesnt' seem to affect the crop.
Lucky you with your melons! Careful, as some rodents will nibble them if they can!