- Choosing varieties for greenhouse cultivation
- Harvest fully ripe melons from the greenhouse
- Grow melons in good time in spring
- tips and tricks
Most melons are grown commercially only in warm countries in tropical and subtropical latitudes. Since the season for melons is short in this country, cultivation in a greenhouse offers advantages.
Choosing varieties for greenhouse cultivation
In principle, all types of melons benefit from the warm, humid climate in a greenhouse as long as there is no heat build-up or the soil substrate is not dry. However, different varieties of melons have different space requirements, which should be taken into account when planting melons in the greenhouse. Large and heavy watermelons like the Crimson Sweet need large areas and support points for the huge fruits. In a smaller greenhouse it is therefore better to use watermelon seeds of the Sugar Baby variety, as their fruits, like Charentais melons and other sugar melons, can also ripen hanging on climbing vines.
Harvest fully ripe melons from the greenhouse
A greenhouse extends the growing season for melons, so that the lower temperatures in the field in this country can be compensated for. However, you should also make sure that the other conditions in the greenhouse are adapted to the needs of melons. So the soil for melons should be permeable and nutrient-rich, but not prone to waterlogging. Like the pumpkins related to them, melons appreciate climbing opportunities because they can use their large leaves to capture even more light to generate energy. If you sow and plant the plants early enough, many varieties can be harvested from July and August when they are ripe. The death of the tendrils of the plant before autumn frosts is a sign of the state of ripeness of the fruit.
Grow melons in good time in spring
Even for cultivation in a greenhouse, there is no harm in growing the plants indoors from April onwards. Grow two to three seeds at a time in a decomposing plant pot to spare the delicate roots the stress of pricking out.
tips and tricks
Even when planting young melons from the windowsill into the greenhouse, you should gradually get the plants used to direct sunlight. To do this, place the pots in the sun for a few hours before finally planting the plants out.
WK