Hi - hope you don't mind but I've read in messages previously that you're the resident melon expert!
I've never tried growing them before but I've got "Passport" & "Sweetheart" to try this year as an experiment. I don't have acres of space, just my garden veg patch & an unheated 4x6 greenhouse - both of which are usually full to bursting! I thought I'd try 1 of each in the greenhouse & then OH is going to make me a couple temporay frames to try them outside too - I have plastic sheeting to use as a covering. Incidentally I'll also have cucumber, aubergine, chillis & peppers in the greenhouse & it's always a bit of a jungle in there so I'm not sure if the melons would do well in there or not.
Really I was just after any thoughts/tips you might have for me as a novice grower. I'm not expecting to get hundreds of melons but 1 or 2 would be nice!! Any help would be much appreciated - thanks a lot. :)
Hi Teej, there is an excellent article on www.gardenadvice.co.uk/howto/greenhouse/melom/index.html
this will give you all the gen re needs,pollonation etc for your melons
The sweetheart will do well, I am not familiar witht he other one personally but if you bougt it in the Uk it should be suitable. I have many that are not bought in the UK and do pretty well with them.I think the important bit is the pollination.
Have a read and get back to me again with specifics. XX Jeannine
Thanks for that. Both lots of seeds are from the UK - the Passport one looks similar to a cantaloupe-style.
I just thought it woul be interesting to try something a bit different this year.
How do you think they'd get on in just a frame outside?
Thanks again.
Quote from: Jeannine on March 27, 2007, 10:23:04
Hi Teej, there is an excellent article on www.gardenadvice.co.uk/howto/greenhouse/melon/index.html
....
We're trying a couple of melon plants for the first time this year, so that was an interesting article indeed. Jeannine, there's a typo in your link. It should say "melon" not "melom" - corrected in my quote.
I think the frame should be fine for the types you ,mentioned unless you are very north.I play with mine a lot and do get better success than I would have expected, don't put them out until they are strong. I have heat in my home greenhouse, they do go in a cold one later but by then they are in very big pots.
Good Luck, I would appreciate knowing how you both do later.
There is nothing on earth like a melon straight off the vine still warm from the sun!!!
XX Jeannine
We're not far from Manchester so hopefully should be ok. None of my stuff goes out 'til it's pretty big as I worry about them all too much! I usually wait until the OH is ready to walk out as there's no room left in the dining room or front bedroom & then I'l take the plunge & move them t the greenhouse/frames!
I'm really looking forward to trying a few new things this year - got some aubergines too & 3 mini cucumber varieties - so I'll deffo let you know how I go.
Thanks again - everyone's really helpful on here.
;D
Just been to check on the seeds I planted on Sunday & they're coming up already - how exciting!
Sweetheart is very relible,I`m trying Jade Lady this year.
Oh the fun one can have with double entendre and one`s `melons`-an old bra is good for support,or some tights. As for pollenation take the male and put him into the female-and as for training in a frame imagine you or lying down with your arms and legs spread wide -train one shoot to each hand and foot ;D
Blimey - if I word it like that to my OH I might just get him interesetd in gardening after all!!
;D