Wednesday, June 18, 2008

All about Melons

Last week, I blogged about the watermelon plants at my parents’ house. Today, I thought I’d revisit them. There are three in total, and they are spreading very quickly. I took my dad’s advice and planted them far apart (2-3 feet) from each other. It’s a good distance, and they continue to grow.

Dave from the Home Garden mentioned that I should pinch off one of the flowers that were growing on watermelon # 1. So I did, and I’m waiting for the plants to get longer. Hopefully more flowers (and melons to follow) will start growing.

Below: The Three Watermelon Plants

They all look the same, but they are growing at different speeds and are different sizes. They are healthy and not dried up like Cam's watermelons. I'll have to post pictures of the SFG ones soon. They do not look healthy.

Above: Cantaloupe

The cantaloupe that I planted in one of the raised beds has started to flower. There are two yellow flowers underneath the green foliage. They are very pretty and look healthy, so I’m looking forward to progression of these melons.

As you can see, this circular raised bed isn't the largest, and the cantaloupe is already starting to take up a majority of the space. I hope the bell pepper, tomatoes, and eggplants (planted around the bed) don't mind. Ha! I guess we'll see.

Below: The cantaloupe flowers up-close

The cantaloupe plant, like the watermelon, really likes to spread. Not a surprise since both are melons. I wonder if I’ll have enough fruit for a salad.

Random Story:

Once when I was a teenager, a bird pooped out a seed of some kind. Weeks went by and no one noticed a little plant that grew. A month or two later, a baby watermelon started to form. Then everyone paid attention. Sadly, it was not to be. The watermelon grew into the size of a small basketball, and the vine died. We opened it up and it was immature, white inside.

I hope that history does not repeat itself. Now onto testing the soil in the SFG... I see trouble ahead. :-D

6 comments:

Dawn said...

Yum cantalope! Funny how the flowers on melon and squash look so much alike.

tina said...

I didn't plant any watermelons, but the birds did. I have three vines growing in an ornamental bed out front. Last year I had them out front in a different bed. I got two of the most sweetest hugest watermelons from them. I am leaving my vines again this year and will hope for the best. I too have had that happen when the vine dies and the watermelon is not ripe. It will not ripen if picked like tomatoes will. Good luck with yours!

Anonymous said...
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DP Nguyen said...

Dawn-I totally agree. They do look very similar. I love the yellow color in both.

Tina-Good luck with your vines!

Skeeter said...

I have never tried to grow melons before. Maybe one day....

DP Nguyen said...

Skeeter: If you ever decide to grow melons, it will be a fun experience.