Ideas for melon slings?

[kath]

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]

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

[kath]

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]

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]

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]

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]

Randall,
I like that too!

[Tania]

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]

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]

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

[meadowyck]

Really surprised no one has suggested a bra

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

[Randall]

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]

Sheer Energy - Good one!!!

[Rockporter]

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]

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.