Compact Melons?

[Hatgirl]

I'm thinking of growing melons in a very cramped greenhouse, and was wondering if anyone had any advice on what variety(s) to pick. I've heard Minnesota Midget, Honey Bun, and Sleeping Beauty are compact varieties. Anyone know of any varieties that have an even more compact growth habit?

[PhilaGardener]

Green Machine is said to be another compact and prolific melon. I hope someone who has grown these varieties under glass will add their comments.

Don't know if there are any parthenocarpic varieties (as with cucumbers) so you might have to hand pollinate.

You might want to pick something with powdery mildew resistance if possible since you have a high humidity environment. A fan to more the air (if you have electricity available) might be good.

We are waiting to hear how they do for you! Good luck!

[Tormato]

If my memory is correct, Petit Gris de Rennes has short vines.

[kurt]

This year I am actively going to grow some melons for my wife(she is addicted as I am).I have prepped some mounds,went to north Fl.to check on some farms,methods etc.Including this link below.Got 5 varietys at four leaves now,temps at 60-80ish for a while hopefully,and humidity is low.good dry loamy beds,manures,wheat straw infused organic planting holes .Now I am hooked.Maybe this might be some of your answer with a proper variety selection.My couple of boxes are made up.My niece at 10yrs is running the grow.Should be fun.

http://search.aol.com/aol/image?q=sq...yword_rollover

[Hatgirl]

I'll add Petit Gris de Rennes and Green Machine to my list of potentials, thanks!

[luigiwu]

When trained upward/vertically I think Heart of Gold is quite manageable. It produces better for me than Minn. Midget.
I would love to trade seeds with you if you have some for trailing marrow and such... I am all about growing vertically as well...

[Barb_FL]

Kurt - So you don't have problems with caterpillars affecting the fruit? I gave up because of this even spraying BT didn't work and every fruit was affected.

I was very successful growing cucumbers this past summer by draping tulle over the entire plant at night and no spraying BT at all.

What 5 melons are you growing?

Luigiwu - How was your tomato season? No updates on your thread?

[Hatgirl]

Originally Posted by luigiwu

When trained upward/vertically I think Heart of Gold is quite manageable. It produces better for me than Minn. Midget.
I would love to trade seeds with you if you have some for trailing marrow and such... I am all about growing vertically as well...

My space is very limited, so I'm looking for "surprisingly compact" rather than "quite compact"

[luigiwu]

Originally Posted by Hatgirl

My space is very limited, so I'm looking for "surprisingly compact" rather than "quite compact"

Is your space smaller than a rain gutter?
http://tomatoville.com/showthread.php?t=37141

[Hatgirl]

Originally Posted by luigiwu

Is your space smaller than a rain gutter?
http://tomatoville.com/showthread.php?t=37141

It's very impressive! But yes, those are too tall for my growing area, I'd lose the light for half the greenhouse

[kurt]

@Barb
Ace,Honey Orange,Honey Orchid,Farmers Wonder , we threw in a store bought(Whole Foods) as a challenge .Hopefully the medium we selected will not have any eggs/larvae contained within.

[BigVanVader]

Sleeping beauty is one I hear lots of people rave about.

[Hatgirl]

Well, my parcel from RareSeeds/Baker Creek arrived yesterday. I may have gone a bit overboard

I bought 10 varietes of melon and 4 varietes of watermelon. All of them mature at 70 days or less. I'm going to try and see if any of them manage to mature outdoors this summer in the incredibly unsuitable environment of a windswept Irish mountain. Wish me luck!

[spacetogrow]

Best of good luck to you!

[Jimbotomateo]

Originally Posted by Hatgirl

Well, my parcel from RareSeeds/Baker Creek arrived yesterday. I may have gone a bit overboard

I bought 10 varietes of melon and 4 varietes of watermelon. All of them mature at 70 days or less. I'm going to try and see if any of them manage to mature outdoors this summer in the incredibly unsuitable environment of a windswept Irish mountain. Wish me luck!

Good luck Hatgirl! 14 melon varieties are really not that many.