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Sow seed, edgeways, in mid or late April. Cover pots
with glass and keep at at least 18 degrees C. Once germinated remove
glass and keep at 16 degrees C. Plant out when seedling has 3-4 true
leaves. |
Harden off and plant out in late May. Mound up soil
in the cold frame. Plant seeding in the mound leaving 1 inch of soil
ball above the surface. Water in. Close lights and cover if sun is
bright. |
Place grow bag on the floor or staging against the
side of the greenhouse. Create adequate support. Plant two seedlings
in each bag leaving 1 inch of the soil ball above the surface. Water
in. Place a six foot long cane behind each plant. |
At the first sight of new growth remove shading and
increase ventilation. Once the fifth true leaf has formed pinch out
the growing point. About three weeks later select the four best
shoots and train one to each corner of the frame. Once the flowers
appear, open the lights during the day. When the fruits are the size
of marbles remove all but one from each shoot and pinch out the stem
two leaves beyond the fruit. Keep soil moist, water regularly but
reduce when melons start to ripen. Feed regularly with high-potash
liquid fertiliser when the fruits are the size of golf balls and
continue until they ripen. Control the ventilation according to the
weather and shade if necessary. Whilst ripening place each melon on
a support to avoid rotting. |
When the plants reach the top of the cane remove the
growing point. Pinch out the growing tip of each lateral when five
leaves have been produced. Male and female flowers are produced
separately. Male have a thin stalk behind the petals and females
have a tiny melon behind the petals. When six female flowers, one
per lateral, are open remove a male flower, fold back the petals and
push it onto the female flower. When the fruits are the size of
marbles remove all but one from each shoot and pinch out the stem
two leaves beyond the fruit. Keep soil moist, water regularly but
reduce when melons start to ripen. Feed regularly with high-potash
liquid fertiliser when the fruits are the size of golf balls and
continue until they ripen. When the fruit reaches the size of a
tennis ball, support each one in a net attached to the support
wires. |
Melons are ripe when the end away from the stalk
gives when gently pressed and the stalk end develops a circular
crack. It should come away easily from the stalk. Will keep for a
few days in the fridge. |
