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Akron,N.Y.

I planning on growing CC melons this coming season and couldn't find anything on how much room they need.Also,which direction do they grow?I mean is there a single stem or is there several that grow all different ways.
Thanks

11/12/2009 10:28:12 PM

Rochester, Minnesota

The watermelon leaves want sun. If you grow them in too close a quarter the vines will lay on each other and cut out the quality of sun received by each leaf. The plant lays out like a hand with the about 5 stems with the biggest (the middle finger) usually called the primary. You can lay those five vines out however you want.

With that said, I usually space my plants 10 to 15 feet apart depending on how much room I have that particular year, and give them a good 20 feet to run.

11/13/2009 11:24:57 AM

Akron,N.Y.

Thanks for the info!

11/13/2009 9:50:55 PM

Western PA

MMM, how far in from the edge should they be planted ?
Also, will the vines need staked down like pumpkin vines ?
Thanks, Lee

11/14/2009 1:55:47 PM

Bowdon, GA

Lee, How far from the edge depends on what dirction you grow the plant. If growing the main towards the edge give plenty of room. Staking vines is fine just don't pinch them, but don't bury them like a pumpkin vine they will rot. Those node roots are more important than people realize. I dug mine up to see what they looked like this year. They really surprised me how big they were.

11/14/2009 6:47:43 PM

Rochester, Minnesota

Definitely use candy cane shaped wires to pin down the vines. Wind is terrible on a melon plant flipping them over just like happens to a pumpkin plant. Pinning down the vines encourages rooting on the nodes. Just grab each of your vines at the end of the season and pull. You should be able to hear the popping as each node's roots break free. I have generally experienced at least 4 node junctions root on each of the 5 main stems.

11/17/2009 2:29:59 PM