Melon Mangomel is a wonderful new kid on the block with mango undertones amazing! These large, creamy-yellow fruits are full of flavour and so juicy and aromatic. Each plant should produce between 4 and 6 fruits each. For optimum conditions grow in a greenhouse but can also be grown on a sunny patio in the South of the UK or even under a cloche. When the fruit begins to changes from a grey-green tone to its creamy-yellow tones then it is ripe and ready to enjoy. Height: 50cm (20"). Spread: 2m (6', 6").
Melons require high temperatures and humidity. In all but the very warmest areas cultivation is most successful in a greenhouse, or under cover of a cold frame or cloche when growing melons in the UK.
Sowing
Sow melon seeds from March to mid April for indoor cropping or early April to May for transplanting outdoors later on.
Sow melon seed at a depth of 1cm (") in trays of free-draining, seed sowing compost. Place in a propagator or seal container inside a plastic bag at a temperature of 20C (68F) until germination which takes 7-10 days. Protect the emerging seedlings from direct sunlight to avoid scorching. Once germinated pot on individual seedlings into 7.5cm (3") pots of compost and grow melon plants on until they large enough to be transplanted into growbags. Maintain a temperature of 20c (68F) and keep the compost barely moist to avoid stem rot.
When melon plants are well grown, transplant 2 plants per growbag or 1m (3') apart under frost free glass, or into frames or cloches outdoors. When growing melons outdoors cover the soil 3-4 weeks before planting with a plastic mulch. Gradually acclimatise them to outdoor conditions over 7-10 days before transplanting into warm, well drained, humus rich soil in full sun, with shelter from winds. Plant in single rows at a distance of 50-90cm (20-36") apart leaving 2m (6') between rows. Pull a little soil around each plant to keep it from touching the plastic mulch. Water well after planting until melons are fully established.
More Info
Melon plants can be trained upwards on strings or wires, or allowed to spread flat on the ground. Pinch out the growing point after 5 leaves have formed to encourage lateral shoots to develop. Select 4 vigorous laterals and train these to 6 leaf stage, before pinching out each growing tip. Remove any other laterals. Fruiting sub laterals will then form on each stem.
Water melons regularly, particularly as the flowers develop, and provide a liquid feed every 10-14 days. Shade plants from strong direct sunlight. As the flowers develop, select 4 or 5 female flowers on each plant and hand pollinate them by placing a male flower inside each female bloom. Female melon flowers are identified by a swollen part at the base of the bloom. Once fruit has set remove any further flowers to allow the fruits to develop. Harvest melons when they begin to produce their characteristic sweet smell and the fruits start to crack near to the stem.
