Growing Melon Questions

recruiterg · July 9, 2012

I'm growing melon (Minnesota Midget) for the first time. I planted one in my flower garden just to see how it would do. The vines are taking over. They are covered with flowers, but I don't see any fruit set yet.

Questions:

Should I prune the vines, or just let it go?

Is there anything I can do to improve fruit set?

How do I know when the melons are ready to be picked?

kurt · July 9, 2012

Quote:

Originally Posted by recruiterg

I'm growing melon (Minnesota Midget) for the first time. I planted one in my flower garden just to see how it would do. The vines are taking over. They are covered with flowers, but I don't see any fruit set yet.

Questions:

Should I prune the vines, or just let it go?

Is there anything I can do to improve fruit set?

How do I know when the melons are ready to be picked?

http://www.mybalconyjungle.com/hand_pollination.html If you are lacking natural pollination(bees etc) to can speed up the process.

Mudman · July 9, 2012

Greg, were are close to the same area, I think you just need to wait a while. It always starts this way for me but I bet in a couple of weeks we will start seeing fruit. Many male blossoms show up first but soon with this heat we will see results. I have grown melons for several years now and you are lucky you started this year. With the weather we have been having you will definitely get a good harvest. Some years we just don't get a long enough hot period. Black plastic or landscape fabric also helps heat up the soil earlier, so I would recommend that in the future.

fortyonenorth · July 9, 2012

Yes, lots of male blossoms first. If you don't have pollinators, you can try hand-pollinating. Not as easy as squash, but much easier than tomatoes. Minnesota Midget is a nice, reliable melon. You'll like it a lot. If you like watermelon, try Blacktail Mountain - excellent short season variety that should do well for you in Minn.

recruiterg · July 9, 2012

Fortyonenorth - To prune or not to prune, that is one of my other questions???

Mudman · July 9, 2012

I never have pruned and I have had very good production so I won't change until I see a good reason why.

RobinB · July 9, 2012

I grow Minnesota Midget every year. I usually train it to climb on a trellis (I think you get more melons this way but I don't know why) and I don't ever prune it. The melons will come, and when they do, your nose will tell you that they are ready. The outside turns orangey and they are very fragrant! They are only the size of softballs, just right for a scoop of ice cream!

fortyonenorth · July 9, 2012

Quote:

Originally Posted by recruiterg

Fortyonenorth - To prune or not to prune, that is one of my other questions???

I wouldn't prune unless you have real space limitations. I don't think it will encourage more male blossoms and/or more fruit.

July 9, 2012	#1
recruiterg Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Edina, MN (Zone 4) Posts: 945	Growing Melon Questions I'm growing melon (Minnesota Midget) for the first time. I planted one in my flower garden just to see how it would do. The vines are taking over. They are covered with flowers, but I don't see any fruit set yet. Questions: Should I prune the vines, or just let it go? Is there anything I can do to improve fruit set? How do I know when the melons are ready to be picked?

July 9, 2012	#3
Mudman Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: NW Wisconsin Posts: 910	Greg, were are close to the same area, I think you just need to wait a while. It always starts this way for me but I bet in a couple of weeks we will start seeing fruit. Many male blossoms show up first but soon with this heat we will see results. I have grown melons for several years now and you are lucky you started this year. With the weather we have been having you will definitely get a good harvest. Some years we just don't get a long enough hot period. Black plastic or landscape fabric also helps heat up the soil earlier, so I would recommend that in the future. __________________ Mike

July 9, 2012	#6
Mudman Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: NW Wisconsin Posts: 910	I never have pruned and I have had very good production so I won't change until I see a good reason why. __________________ Mike

July 9, 2012	#4
fortyonenorth Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: NW Indiana Posts: 1,150	Yes, lots of male blossoms first. If you don't have pollinators, you can try hand-pollinating. Not as easy as squash, but much easier than tomatoes. Minnesota Midget is a nice, reliable melon. You'll like it a lot. If you like watermelon, try Blacktail Mountain - excellent short season variety that should do well for you in Minn.

July 9, 2012	#7
RobinB Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Near Reno, NV Posts: 1,621	I grow Minnesota Midget every year. I usually train it to climb on a trellis (I think you get more melons this way but I don't know why) and I don't ever prune it. The melons will come, and when they do, your nose will tell you that they are ready. The outside turns orangey and they are very fragrant! They are only the size of softballs, just right for a scoop of ice cream!