|
|
Growing melons in containers can be easy, as long as you choose the right variety. Some avid container gardening enthusiasts claim that they were able to grow 15-20 melons in a pot. Of course, these would be the dwarf varieties that produce small melons. Large ones can be cultivated, but it would be better to start off with smaller ones until you to get the hang of growing melons.
Starting your cultivation
Choose a site that has full sun and with adequate air circulation. Be sure that the area is protected by other plants or structures that prevent strong winds from harming your plants. A warm area is also preferred, melons don’t fare well in cold weather. For a starting plant, choose a variety that produces short vines and small fruits such as Sweet n Early Hybrid. This variety is also quite hardy as problems with powdery mildew and pests are close to none. Vines of this variety grow 4 feet tall, but they can be trained to climb up a trellis. Do not throw out those old pantyhose stockings when growing melons in pots for you will need them later when fruits emerge.
The specifications of your pot or container
The type of pot is very important when growing melons in containers. Clay or terra cotta pots can leach out water from your plants, can be heavy, and have poor insulation properties. You can amend this by lining the pot with insulation, but that could take away valuable soil space. Cheap plastic pots are not good either for they break easily and can cause rapid evaporation of water from your plants. You can invest in a good pot that is light weight so it would be easy to transfer your pots from one place to another when weather conditions deem it necessary. There are also some pots that are made that can block UV rays. This is important because your pot will then not get hot too quickly that it would cook the roots of the plants. You may also need to have a dolly just in case you buy a pot that is big and heavy for your melons.
Choose a pot that is self-watering to help give your plants enough water when you are too busy to look out for them. Container gardening can easily lead to plants drying out because of the low amounts of soil available compared to plants growing in the ground. Melons can do best when grown in groups of 3-4 plants, making a large container highly advisable. A container that is 27” x 13” x 8” (L x W x H) can adequately hold 2-3 plants. Basically a melon plant can grow in a container that can hold at least 1 ½ cubic feet of soil. A half wine barrel can be good, as well as a 20” round planter or something bigger.
Place drainage holes at the bottom of your plants. Even though melons love water, they can drown in a container. Line the bottom with an inch of broken terra cotta pots or small pebbles to promote drainage. Fiberglass matting can also be used to line the bottom of the plant to promote drainage but prevent soil from escaping and small pests from penetrating the bottom of the container.
Preparing your soil or potting mix
Growing melons in pots require a soil that retains water but loose enough to promote root growth. Ordinary garden soil is not advised for they can contain a lot of pests and microorganisms that can produce disease in the melon plants. Purchase very good potting soil from your gardening store. Ordinary potting mix has sterile soil, compost, perlite, vermiculite or peat moss. The mix is optimal for nutrient and water retention and that is good for your melons. A pH of 6.0-7.0 will be perfect for your melons. Adjust it by adding lime to increase pH or sulfur to decrease pH. Organic growing is best to produce tasty crops, and compost or compost manure incorporated well into the soil two weeks before planting. You can also use traditional fertilizer with 10-10-10 or 12-12-12 N-P-K percentage according to package instructions for a healthy soil applied 2 weeks before planting.
Seeds
Seeds are best started indoors 2 weeks before the last expected frost, depending on your zone area. Seed packets often come with a guide to tell you when to plant your seeds basing on your zone. You can start planting them in biodegradable pots or small containers that are lined with newspaper. Transplanting seedlings are to be done with great care for melons detest any root disturbance. Drill some drainage holes at the bottom if you are lining your pots with newspaper to prevent drowning your plants. Place soil amended with compost in the pot and place 2 seeds spaced an inch apart on the center. Cover with ¼ - ½ inch of compost and water well. Place inside a plastic bag placed a few inches under a light source for germination. Keep the soil moist but not wet and germination will start 8-10 days after planting. Once they have formed 2 true leaves, keep the healthiest seedling by snipping the other seedling at soil level. This thinning method is better for pulling seedlings out can disturb the root system of the other seedling, killing your plant. Harden off your plants 2 weeks before planting them to outside containers to prevent stress and crop damage due to abrupt change in weather conditions. Refer to the transplant section when planting your hardened seedlings to bigger containers outside.
Transplants
You can also buy transplants when growing melons in containers. As with seedlings, harden off the plants before transferring them into containers outside. Dig a hole at the center that is 3 inches deeper than the container. Carefully remove the plant from the container or leave it inside if the container is biodegradable. Place 2 inches of compost at the bottom and place in your plants. You will notice that your plant is still below soil level, but do not worry. Cover the plant by creating a mound that is slightly higher than the soil level of your big container, about a couple of inches below the first leaves of your plant. If you have a big container that can accommodate up to 3 crops, space each plant at least 8 inches apart.
Care and Harvesting
Make sure that you have created a trellis for your vines to climb up when growing melons in pots. Water your crops well by keeping the soil moist but not wet. Frequent watering may be needed if the weather is warm. Keep the plants healthy by giving them compost tea every two weeks. Seaweed fertilizer is given when your crops start to form flowers and buds. Mulch the plant to prevent weeds and to promote insulation of soil. Once your crops produce fruits take out that old pantyhose and cut out a leg for each fruit. Slip one fruit inside the hose taking care not to damage the stem and tie it to the trellis. The pantyhose will expand as the fruits grow. Once it is time to harvest, untie the hose and pick the fruit.
Each variety of melons has different ways of telling you that they are ripe. Some melons will produce a rattling sound when ripe, but that is not the case for a cantaloupe. Some emit a sweet, melon smell when they are ripe, while others produce a dull thump when tapped. Harvest by cutting the stems. Pulling will induce breakage that will not seal, permitting microorganisms to enter your fruit.
Preventing disease is easier than treatment after it has taken hold. Protect crops by choosing disease-resistant varieties and practice crop rotation. Powdery mildew can be prevented by keeping the leaves dry and well aerated. You can dust them off once you see them or pick out a leaf that has been infected. If infestation is heavy, apply registered pesticides such as pyraclostrobin and trifloxystrobin.
Bacterial wilt is also a problem in melons brought about by attacks of cucumber beetles. Manage them by inspecting the plants daily and establishing beetle traps with the use of pheromones baited with Eugenol. Be sure to identify the type of cucumber beetle that you saw in your crops for different beetles respond to different traps. Traps are usually mounted on stakes two feet above the canopy.
Once you have mastered growing melons in containers using small, hardy varieties, you can now try diversifying your melon garden by trying the large-sized ones. Just remember to pick a container of good size to ensure proper growth.
|
Home - Container Gardening
Return to the main page of the site.
Container Vegetable Gardening
Grow vegetables in containers.
Container Fruit Gardening
LGrow fruits in containers.
Container Herb Gardening
Grow herbs in containers.
Container Flower Gardening
Grow flowers in containers.
Container Gardening Tips
Container gardening ideas.
Container Water Gardening
Water-based plants in containers.
Container Gardening Products
Products for container gardening.
|