trellised melons and other large fruit??

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How would one go about trellising large fruit producing plants... ie how do you support the fruit/melon from pulling the entire structure down or pulling itself off the vine.

I like the idea of saving space this way but need advice on the logistics.

Thanks... Otter

-- otter (kitchen@eng.fsu.edu), January 30, 2002

Answers

Hi, Try old panty hose,cut the legs off put the young fruit in and tie to the trellise. Works great for spagetti squash- going to try it with luffa squash this year. Daryll

-- Daryll in NW FLA (twincrk@hotmail.com), January 30, 2002.

I've seen people make a trellis from wire that is 4x4 squares and bend it over to make an arch. The vines climb up and the fruit sets on the top so the fruit hangs down. I'm not sure what the supports are like. It looks really nice and you can plant shade loving or cooler weather crops underneath.

Susan

-- Susan in Minnesota (nanaboo@paulbunyan.net), January 30, 2002.


Yes, and hog or cattle panels bent to shape make a strong support for heavy stuff. Use bricks to weight the ends and hold them in place. This technique was in Countryside mag last year, I think. Worked for me.

-- Shannon at Grateful Acres Animal Sanctuary (gratacres@aol.com), January 30, 2002.

Try using those plastic netting bags like onions come in or make your own with the plastic netting you can get at a garden center.Just staple the sides together. Your melon or whatever will get sun and have expansion room. Tie to the trellis.If your vines are stable and are hanging from the top rather than on a side you may have enough support.I to think that trellised plants do better and much less rot. Good luck, Terry

-- Terry Lipe (elipe@fidnet.com), January 30, 2002.

I have not used this method so can't say for sure that it works. That said most of everything else I have used from the book "Square Foot Gardening" has worked. What Mel suggests is driving electrical conduit in the ground then putting an elbow at the top ends of the driven conduit. You then place a length of conduit between the elbows. Then tie a heavy string to the cross bar and stake it at the bottom. He reccomends as the vines grow up to wrap them aroung the string. He to comments on the use of pantyhose or net bags to hold the larger melons. If you do decide to use the pantyhose as a male I can attest that you start getting looks from thrift store employees if you keep going back to buy them without explaining. gail

-- gail missouri ozarks (gef@getgoin.net), January 30, 2002.


I grow all different kinds of gourds,and the best and cheapest way I have found is Ladders.You see them for free in peoples garbage all the time missing a step .Plant around the ladders and as you get your fruit just sit it on a step.

-- Karen (Eyezoflime@aol.com), February 02, 2002.

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