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Trinity River Bottom

back to cantaloupes how much area you think the cantaloupes need? mine were covering less than 100 sq. ft.
how much area do yours cover?

8/3/2010 9:50:51 AM

Corryton, TN

I haven't tried pruning YET. I try to train the plant to look similar to a wheel with spokes. Usually the initial runners (spokes) will be 6-8 ft before sides start to come out. I have not seen a fruit set on one of the main runners and they will keep growing and sending out sides filling in the wheel. 100 sq. ft I'm guessing is about where the plant needs to be when you set fruit, maybe some less. I try to start to set fruit on the 4+ sides out from the stump. I'm planing on measuring the little mellons at bloom time for my fall crop.
When I harvested the 42/10.5 earlier I'd estimate the plant to cover 225 sq. ft.

8/3/2010 12:20:03 PM

Trinity River Bottom

thanks dave. i thought my plant was smaller than it should be . the rabbits kept it pruned pretty heavy.

8/3/2010 1:26:25 PM

sevierville, Tn

I noticed that the rabbits ate the vines of cantalopes, but don't bother pumpkins or melons.

8/3/2010 2:55:19 PM

Trinity River Bottom

they love cantaloupe tips but want bother melon vines

8/3/2010 4:15:29 PM

Trinity River Bottom

i have alot of rabbits where i live and that is the only thing they bother in my garden . they also don't bother the fruit

8/3/2010 4:17:49 PM

Deep South, USA

Something ate the ends off some of my watermelon vines last year. It was probably deer. Deer do not seem to be overly picky in what they eat. Indeed, they would likely have gotten them this year if they weren't planted within the regular territory of our three dogs.

8/3/2010 4:24:40 PM

Bowdon, GA

The big ones seem to come from the smaller plants. My best ones have come from plants in the 100-150 sqft range. Seems like I haven't gotten anything over 30 on very large plants. Pruning may not be a bad idea. Kirk was your 45 pounder grown on one of the 100 sqft vines?

8/3/2010 5:33:15 PM

Trinity River Bottom

hey jake . it was grown a very small plant probably less than 100 sq. ft. rabbits kept it pruned . there could be something to that.

8/4/2010 8:16:18 AM

Rochester, Minnesota

Did you know that both deer and rabbits are edible? They even taste good next to watermelon and cantaloupe.

8/4/2010 10:16:07 AM

Trinity River Bottom

i know thats right

8/4/2010 10:47:11 AM

Corryton, TN

Got my first female bloom on a main! Hope it sticks. 2.9 cm and fat.

8/6/2010 2:49:23 PM

Mississippi

brotherdave are you serious! I have pretty much ended my season. I don't see how you guys get your plants to live so long. coyotes got all my first melons back in June and i put up an electric fence, but this has not been one of my better years. Can not wait to see what everyone grows. Mine are not worthy to mention.

8/6/2010 8:49:33 PM

Mississippi

oh, on a main. I see.

8/6/2010 8:50:25 PM

Corryton, TN

These are new cantaloupe plants for fall weigh-offs. Don't remember ever seeing a female that wasn't on a side.

8/7/2010 6:44:59 AM

Bowdon, GA

First I've seen. And on that seed you'll probabbly get a big one if it will stay out of the 100's. Mine shut down when it triple digits.

8/8/2010 12:27:29 AM

Trinity River Bottom

yes i believe the cantaloupes like it a little cooler . mine seem to suffer when the temps started to get into the mid nineties.

8/9/2010 8:30:23 AM