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Posted: Jun/30/2007 12:42 AM PST
this is my first yr to have a good lookin cantalope vine. nice blooms and has gotten to be about 5 ft across. i have straw down under it but will that take care of melons when they start growin??? |
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Posted: Jun/30/2007 7:38 AM PST
From what I've heard, that should do it. It's my first year, too. I haven't put the straw down yet. I've got one that's already about 3" in diameter, and I still just have it lying on some mulch. The vines have stretched out onto the grass, and I have 2 or 3 tiny ones started there. I've been debating whether to go to the trouble of getting the straw or just let them stay on the grass. Probaby will get the straw or more mulch, at least. I have one plant in an eighteen inch container on my deck, and it already has one full size cantaloupe on it, just waiting to ripen. I've got it supported by a large Bush's Baked Beans can since it didn't touch the ground. I guess mine are ahead of yours because I got the Sweet-n-Early Hybrid kind. I planted them from seed, and the vines are probably 12 feet in diameter if I were to stretch them out. |
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Posted: Jul/07/2007 2:34 PM PST
I was thinking of the can trick or even some grass clippings so it's got ventilation and padding. When I grew Roma tomatoes and let them sprawl on a few inches of grass clippings I didn't have any rot or dark spots so I'd think that it would work with 'loupes, too. |
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Posted: Jul/08/2007 7:06 PM PST
If you are concerned about them rotting or bugs/slugs etc. you can try a few things. Styrofoam plates(poke a few holes for drainage), styrofoam trays that meat comes on(thoroughly washed/disinfected and holes poked in it), hay/straw, grass clippings that are on the dry side, mulch or if you have it planted near a trellis you can use the end of a clean, used pantyhose (foot end) to slip the melon into, then tie it up to the trellis giving the melon plenty of room in the stocking to grow, or use this same method with the mesh bags that fruit comes in sometimes from the grocery store. |
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Posted: Jul/08/2007 10:50 PM PST
Hadn't heard or thought about the styrofoam idea. Thanks, Angel. |
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Posted: Jul/25/2007 12:59 PM PST
Hi All! Haven't been back here this year. Everything looks different! Thought I was in the wrong place at first!  Got a problem. Japanese beatles got to my garden while I was away, and now my cantaloupe vines have developed severe wilt. From what I've read, nothing I can do to stop it. They have died off in just a few days! However, I have some beautiful fruits on there. They haven't begun to 'slip' yet. Is there any way to save the fruit? I know they usually don't develope good flavor until they're ripe and fall from the vine. Sure appreciate any and all suggestions! Thanks and Happy Gardening!! 
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