I'm getting worried, My watermelon and cantaloupe are small, tennis ball size cantaloupe and marble size watermelon. Should I trim back the vines or pull new flowers to get them going?
Undersized and nonripening melons usually mean temperatures are too cool or the plants are a bit crowded. At this point in the season, you could try pruning off some of the actual fruits that seems most weak/late; the vine will compensate by providing more energy and resources to the remainder. Good luck!
Actually, you may need to do both; trim veins and remove new flowers.
have you checked if your plants are near the maturity date or do they need more time to grow?
It might be a good idea to check with your county extension office to see if they can offer suggestions as they will know what is happening in your area - 5A.
Pictures would be a big help..
www.gardeningknowhow.com/
Here are the questions asked by community members. Read on to see the answers provided by the ThriftyFun community.
How can I keep lizards from eating watermelon and cantaloupe blossoms?
Hardiness Zone: 10b
By JOE from Cancas, Peru
Try spraying the plants with hot sauce,critters do not like hot stuff, good luck.
Vine ripened melons are typically sweeter than those you buy at the market. This is a page about picking a perfectly ripe melon.
By using a small art brush you can pollinate your own melon vines, if the bees are not available for the job. This is a page about hand pollinating melons.
