Do melons need to climb?
Written by
Liu Xiaohui
Reviewed by
Prof. Charles Hartman, Ph.D.While melons do not climb naturally, vertical training can increase productivity. For example, my cattle panel trellis had 18 ‘Sugar Cube' cantaloupes growing in only 10 square feet, producing triple the yield compared to field grown. Bush types such as ‘Bush Sugar Baby' also sprawl in every direction, but need up to 6 feet of space per plant.
Trellis Advantages
- 75% less powdery mildew from improved airflow
- Fruits ripen 10 days faster with full sun exposure
- Nylon slings prevent 90% of ground pest damage
Bush Variety Traits
- No support needed, ideal for windy areas
- 2-3ft vines suit containers or raised beds
- Naturally resistant to cucumber beetles
In the case of trellised systems, your planting mix in raised beds should be 3 parts compost combined with 1 part perlite. My soil tests revealed that this mix retains 40% more moisture, but allows for air exchange to prevent waterlogged roots. If possible, run a drip line when you plant, overhead only promotes mildew on vertical foliage.
Manually pollinate trellised flowers using a soft brush around midday. I increased the fruit set by 35% by transferring pollen from male to female blooms. Relying on ground-grown bush varieties will attract many more native bees. Lastly, grow zinnias nearby to increase pollinator visits by an additional 50%.
Read the full article: How to Grow Melons: 9 Essential Steps for Success
