General information and discussion about cultivating fruit-bearing plants, trees, flowers and ornamental plants.
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#1 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: zone 6b, PA
Posts: 5,664
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I'm trellising cantaloupes and small watermelons on cattle panel and it's time to give them support. What have you used with good success? I have a lot of net bags from citrus fruits, woven sacks from bulk alfalfa seed meal and could scrounge up enough fabric, I think. Just looking for some tried and true techniques so I minimize loss. Thanks all!
kath |
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#2 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: Long Island NY
Posts: 1,992
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Kath,
Pantyhose slings always worked well for my grandfather. They can hold a lot weight and don't retain any water. |
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#3 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: zone 6b, PA
Posts: 5,664
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James- I might be able to get some of those. Maybe a stupid question, but do you know if he let the fruits develop inside the leg or if he used them like hammocks?
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#4 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: Long Island NY
Posts: 1,992
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Kath,
The only stupid question is the one not asked!!! ![]() He did it hammock style. I remember he would occasionally use 2 in an X for xtra support. |
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#5 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: 6a
Posts: 396
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Kathy, I trellis my watermelon (Sugar Baby) and grow them into onion bags. They just fill and stretch the netting. Always works well for me. Here's a shot of one growing in the garden right now:
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#6 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: zone 6b, PA
Posts: 5,664
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Ok, that makes sense, James- I was a little worried about the hammock for fear the melon would somehow fall out.
Randall, thanks for the picture. I've got a lot of these things hanging around and I'm pretty sure I could tie them securely enough- maybe with zip ties. I knew I could count on you guys- thanks much! ![]() kath |
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#7 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: Long Island NY
Posts: 1,992
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Randall,
I like that too! |
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#8 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Anmore, BC, Canada
Posts: 3,970
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Very neat idea, thank you for sharing Randall! I bet this may also work well for squashes.
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#9 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: zone 6b, PA
Posts: 5,664
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Well, it took a whole lot longer than I thought and DH's help but we had success with both the net bags and pantyhose slings.
![]() ![]() ![]() Thanks again for sharing your tips! kath |
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#10 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: NW Wisconsin
Posts: 910
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Really surprised no one has suggested a bra. Is Worth not around today?
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Mike |
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#11 | |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: May 2012
Location: Brooksville, FL
Posts: 1,001
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![]() Quote:
![]() Although this is only a good idea if you wear a size parachute for support.....
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Jan “Do what you can, with what you have, where you are.” -Theodore Roosevelt |
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#12 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: 6a
Posts: 396
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Glad that all worked out for you, Kathy. I like the pantyhose technique also, James. It's pretty sleek. It may even impart a little Sheer Energy to those plants!
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#13 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: Long Island NY
Posts: 1,992
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Sheer Energy - Good one!!!
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#14 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Texas Coastal Bend
Posts: 3,205
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Bumping this thread.
Tonight I went out and discovered the new net pouches I made for my cantaloupe were stretching and tearing under the weight of the cantaloupe. I used the shower puffs I bought at Dollar Tree a few weeks back so I guess they aren't so good to use them. I added a new pouch over the tops of the ones that were tearing and used zip ties to tie them on again. I hope I can get through this season with these. I don't have any onion bags, or nylons. I think it's too windy here to try to support in a sling. They would come right off in a strong gust of wind we get out here.
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In the spring at the end of the day you should smell like dirt ~Margaret Atwood~ ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
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#15 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: May 2012
Location: massachusetts
Posts: 1,710
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Mrs N's old knee highs or panty hose.
A tomato clip to trellising string will hold a small cantaloupe size melon. Fruit is positioned inside the stocking, a hole is placed in the stocking so the clip can go through. |
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