So my little cantaloupes are sprouted out on their hills. I used black landscape plastic, like the book said. It gets very hot here, do the plants really do well just laying on top of the plastic or should I put down a layer of straw to cushion them?
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Missouri
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Re: canteloupe
Mon, May 5, 2008 - 8:11 AMThey do quite well on top of the plastic. Straw would defeat the purpose of raising the soil temp, but later in the season it doesn't hurt. It protects the plastic from photodegadation during the brightest part of the summer. Straw on top of plastic can get soggy and be worse than just on plastic. You have to watch for low spots in the plastic that collect water though, and punch a little hole or something.
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Re: canteloupe
Mon, May 5, 2008 - 4:51 PMWe grow all of our watermelons and squash directly on top of the black plastic and they do great. We generally grow our canteloupes on a trellis though. -
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Re: canteloupe
Mon, May 5, 2008 - 6:11 PMThanks. I was concerned that they might cook there on the plastic. But I'm pleased to learn they'll be okay. -
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Re: canteloupe
Wed, May 21, 2008 - 12:17 AMI grew a melon (under glass as it's cooler here) i balanced it on a plant pot, just to keep the slugs off! also some people stake it and hang it in some old tights or stockings, to keep it off the ground. -
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Re: canteloupe
Mon, June 9, 2008 - 4:28 AMNew question. The cantaloupes are VERY happy. My neighbor says I should pick some of the flowers off because I'll have small melons if I don't.
How many flowers should I leave on the plant or should I just leave it alone?
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