Tomatoville® Gardening Forums


Notices

General information and discussion about cultivating melons, cucumbers, squash, pumpkins and gourds.

Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
Old July 7, 2021   #1
paradajky
Tomatovillian™
 
Join Date: May 2021
Location: Coastal Southern CA
Posts: 164
Default cantaloupe in SWC question

Hi:


I'm growing cantaloupe for the first time. Seedlings are nearly ready for transplant, and idea is to grow them in global bucket and earthbox on my patio. From what I have read on the internet, many suggest reducing watering when fruit sets to encourage a sweeter fruit. How do I do that with SWC? Let the mix run dry and top-water? Or forget this method and grow in a regular container?



Thanks for your time!
paradajky is offline   Reply With Quote
Old July 7, 2021   #2
GreenThumbGal_07
Tomatovillian™
 
GreenThumbGal_07's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Northern California
Posts: 300
Default

Hi, does SWC stand for Self Watering Container? If so, you would have to find a way to reduce water during the fruit ripening period, give it just enough to keep the leaves from wilting. I suppose that would mean disconnecting your automatic watering source (not sure how to do this as I've never used an automatic watering planter) and adding water sparingly (manually) during the fruit ripening period. Hope this helps.
GreenThumbGal_07 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old July 7, 2021   #3
paradajky
Tomatovillian™
 
Join Date: May 2021
Location: Coastal Southern CA
Posts: 164
Default

Yes, self watering container. There is no automatic watering source, just me hunched over with a hose over the buckets.

Maybe SWC isn't the best way to do this, then.. because reducing the watering could mean the peat-moss based potting mix will dry out, which then is a PITA to get moistened again. It could end up channeling which makes it very tough to keep watered. Hmmm.

Any suggestions on container mix for cantaloupe then? I have 6 seedlings, and no space except on my patio balcony.
paradajky is offline   Reply With Quote
Old July 7, 2021   #4
GreenThumbGal_07
Tomatovillian™
 
GreenThumbGal_07's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Northern California
Posts: 300
Default

I'm relatively new to growing melons myself. I have mine going in 7-gal. and 15-gal. Gro-bags with Black Gold Organic Potting Mix and they seem to be doing pretty well. They get lots of afternoon and early evening sun and I water them every other day.
GreenThumbGal_07 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old August 27, 2021   #5
paradajky
Tomatovillian™
 
Join Date: May 2021
Location: Coastal Southern CA
Posts: 164
Default

Update! I planted two into the ground in some else's yard (not pictured), and each has two fruits. The plants themselves are small.


A third plant was skipped, forgot to plant, and died.


Pictured are remaining three on my balcony: one in a 5-gallon self-watering grow-bucket setup, and the other two in a 22 gallon growbag. The 22 gallon grow bag plants have a fresh 3-1-1 mix (bark, peat, pumice), amended with some lime and organic dry fertilizer. The vines have grown well, have had so many blooms that even attracted many bees to my balcony, but not a single fruit. Each had a few female flowers blooming early, before any male flowers, then nothing but male flowers. The vines have slowed down in growth and I don't see many more flowers. Some powdery mildew beginning to show up (argh!!).



The bucketed plant was in the 3-2-1 mix (peat, bark, pumice) with lime mixed in and a ring of fertilizer near the top. It took a while to establish, and when it finally did, the first female flower was pollinated quickly and set fruit!! It's perched a bit precariously, but I'm hoping for it to keep healthy before it gets cold here.



Next time, I'll start with one and then plant the others a couple weeks later.. assuming the blooming trend will be same next year.
Attached Images
File Type: jpg balcony trio.jpg (255.2 KB, 56 views)
File Type: jpg cantaloupe baby.jpg (208.4 KB, 57 views)
paradajky is offline   Reply With Quote
Old August 27, 2021   #6
GreenThumbGal_07
Tomatovillian™
 
GreenThumbGal_07's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Northern California
Posts: 300
Default

Nice looking melon!
GreenThumbGal_07 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old September 25, 2021   #7
paradajky
Tomatovillian™
 
Join Date: May 2021
Location: Coastal Southern CA
Posts: 164
Default

It grew to a 7"x5" elliptical shape. I stopped watering the reservoir, and found timing to watering such that the leaves wilt by evening, and perk up by morning. It has begun changing color and this morning it split. DAG NABBIT.


Can I put some plastic wrap or tape around this section to allow it to ripen on vine for a few days longer?!
Attached Images
File Type: jpg split cantaloupe.jpg (172.8 KB, 41 views)
paradajky is offline   Reply With Quote
Old September 27, 2021   #8
paradajky
Tomatovillian™
 
Join Date: May 2021
Location: Coastal Southern CA
Posts: 164
Default

I went ahead and just pulled it that same day, since the vine-end was mostly off already and I was afraid ants or other bugs would get into it. The interior was dry and mealy. Mildly sweet. Probably a little under ripe, so, hoping next year for better results
paradajky is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply


Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump


All times are GMT -4. The time now is 09:09 PM.


★ Tomatoville® is a registered trademark of Commerce Holdings, LLC ★ All Content ©2022 Commerce Holdings, LLC ★