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Old July 23, 2012   #1
kath
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Default Ideas for melon slings?

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!

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Old July 23, 2012   #2
JamesL
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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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Old July 23, 2012   #3
kath
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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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Old July 23, 2012   #4
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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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Old July 23, 2012   #5
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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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File Type: jpg Sugar Baby sling 7-23-12 001.jpg (101.9 KB, 154 views)
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Old July 23, 2012   #6
Tania
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Randall View Post
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:
Very neat idea, thank you for sharing Randall! I bet this may also work well for squashes.
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Old July 23, 2012   #7
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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!

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Old July 23, 2012   #8
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Randall,
I like that too!
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Old July 23, 2012   #9
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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. I was a scratchy mess and kinda crabby by the time we were finished, though, as I get quite a skin reaction to those spiny leaves.We found one poor watermelon that is firmly wedged into a square in the cattle panel so that one isn't going anywhere...guess when it's ripe we'll have to cut it in the garden.

Thanks again for sharing your tips!

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Old July 23, 2012   #10
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Really surprised no one has suggested a bra. Is Worth not around today?
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Old July 23, 2012   #11
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Quote:
Really surprised no one has suggested a bra


Although this is only a good idea if you wear a size parachute for support.....
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Old July 24, 2012   #12
Randall
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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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Old July 25, 2012   #13
JamesL
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Sheer Energy - Good one!!!
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Old June 18, 2017   #14
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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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Old June 19, 2017   #15
Nematode
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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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