Ideas for melon slings?

kath · July 23, 2012

I'm trellising cantaloupes and small watermelons on cattle panel and it's time to give them support. What have you used with good success? I have a lot of net bags from citrus fruits, woven sacks from bulk alfalfa seed meal and could scrounge up enough fabric, I think. Just looking for some tried and true techniques so I minimize loss. Thanks all!

kath

JamesL · July 23, 2012

Kath,
Pantyhose slings always worked well for my grandfather. They can hold a lot weight and don't retain any water.

kath · July 23, 2012

James- I might be able to get some of those. Maybe a stupid question, but do you know if he let the fruits develop inside the leg or if he used them like hammocks?

JamesL · July 23, 2012

Kath,
The only stupid question is the one not asked!!!

He did it hammock style. I remember he would occasionally use 2 in an X for xtra support.

Randall · July 23, 2012

Kathy, I trellis my watermelon (Sugar Baby) and grow them into onion bags. They just fill and stretch the netting. Always works well for me. Here's a shot of one growing in the garden right now:

kath · July 23, 2012

Ok, that makes sense, James- I was a little worried about the hammock for fear the melon would somehow fall out.

Randall, thanks for the picture. I've got a lot of these things hanging around and I'm pretty sure I could tie them securely enough- maybe with zip ties.

I knew I could count on you guys- thanks much!

kath

JamesL · July 23, 2012

Randall,
I like that too!

Tania · July 23, 2012

Quote:

Originally Posted by Randall

Kathy, I trellis my watermelon (Sugar Baby) and grow them into onion bags. They just fill and stretch the netting. Always works well for me. Here's a shot of one growing in the garden right now:

Very neat idea, thank you for sharing Randall! I bet this may also work well for squashes.

kath · July 23, 2012

Well, it took a whole lot longer than I thought and DH's help but we had success with both the net bags and pantyhose slings.

I was a scratchy mess and kinda crabby by the time we were finished, though, as I get quite a skin reaction to those spiny leaves.

We found one poor watermelon that is firmly wedged into a square in the cattle panel so that one isn't going anywhere...guess when it's ripe we'll have to cut it in the garden.

Thanks again for sharing your tips!

kath

Mudman · July 23, 2012

Really surprised no one has suggested a bra. Is Worth not around today?

meadowyck · July 23, 2012

Quote:

Really surprised no one has suggested a bra

Although this is only a good idea if you wear a size parachute for support.....

Randall · July 24, 2012

Glad that all worked out for you, Kathy. I like the pantyhose technique also, James. It's pretty sleek. It may even impart a little Sheer Energy to those plants!

JamesL · July 25, 2012

Sheer Energy - Good one!!!

Rockporter · June 18, 2017

Bumping this thread.

Tonight I went out and discovered the new net pouches I made for my cantaloupe were stretching and tearing under the weight of the cantaloupe. I used the shower puffs I bought at Dollar Tree a few weeks back so I guess they aren't so good to use them. I added a new pouch over the tops of the ones that were tearing and used zip ties to tie them on again. I hope I can get through this season with these. I don't have any onion bags, or nylons. I think it's too windy here to try to support in a sling. They would come right off in a strong gust of wind we get out here.

Nematode · June 19, 2017

Mrs N's old knee highs or panty hose.
A tomato clip to trellising string will hold a small cantaloupe size melon.
Fruit is positioned inside the stocking, a hole is placed in the stocking so the clip can go through.

July 23, 2012	#1
kath Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: zone 6b, PA Posts: 5,664	Ideas for melon slings? I'm trellising cantaloupes and small watermelons on cattle panel and it's time to give them support. What have you used with good success? I have a lot of net bags from citrus fruits, woven sacks from bulk alfalfa seed meal and could scrounge up enough fabric, I think. Just looking for some tried and true techniques so I minimize loss. Thanks all! kath

July 23, 2012	#9
kath Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: zone 6b, PA Posts: 5,664	Well, it took a whole lot longer than I thought and DH's help but we had success with both the net bags and pantyhose slings. I was a scratchy mess and kinda crabby by the time we were finished, though, as I get quite a skin reaction to those spiny leaves.We found one poor watermelon that is firmly wedged into a square in the cattle panel so that one isn't going anywhere...guess when it's ripe we'll have to cut it in the garden. Thanks again for sharing your tips! kath

July 23, 2012	#10
Mudman Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: NW Wisconsin Posts: 910	Really surprised no one has suggested a bra. Is Worth not around today? __________________ Mike

June 18, 2017	#14
Rockporter Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Texas Coastal Bend Posts: 3,205	Bumping this thread. Tonight I went out and discovered the new net pouches I made for my cantaloupe were stretching and tearing under the weight of the cantaloupe. I used the shower puffs I bought at Dollar Tree a few weeks back so I guess they aren't so good to use them. I added a new pouch over the tops of the ones that were tearing and used zip ties to tie them on again. I hope I can get through this season with these. I don't have any onion bags, or nylons. I think it's too windy here to try to support in a sling. They would come right off in a strong gust of wind we get out here. __________________ In the spring at the end of the day you should smell like dirt ~Margaret Atwood~

July 23, 2012	#2
JamesL Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Long Island NY Posts: 1,992	Kath, Pantyhose slings always worked well for my grandfather. They can hold a lot weight and don't retain any water.

July 24, 2012	#12
Randall Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: 6a Posts: 396	Glad that all worked out for you, Kathy. I like the pantyhose technique also, James. It's pretty sleek. It may even impart a little Sheer Energy to those plants!

July 25, 2012	#13
JamesL Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Long Island NY Posts: 1,992	Sheer Energy - Good one!!!

June 19, 2017	#15
Nematode Tomatovillian™ Join Date: May 2012 Location: massachusetts Posts: 1,710	Mrs N's old knee highs or panty hose. A tomato clip to trellising string will hold a small cantaloupe size melon. Fruit is positioned inside the stocking, a hole is placed in the stocking so the clip can go through.