Last summer I tried growing a different melon outside, but the plants struggled to get going and yielded nothing at all. This year I'm trying again...
I've always assumed melons would be far too difficult or temperamental to grow in the UK, despite the Victorians' success at growing them in heated greenhouses.
But a couple of summers ago, I visited the Thompson & Morgan seed trials in Ipswich and saw some wonderful melons growing outside. The experts at T&M were putting some new seed selections to the test, and the results looked very promising. Visiting the trials in August, I could see that some of the plants growing in quite an exposed site outside had produced four or five fruits. Now this I had to try.
Unfortunately their melons were trial varieties, and until the trial comes to an end in a couple of years we won't know whether any of these will be introduced to the gardening public.
However, reading through seed catalogues last winter I discovered 'Emir', a brand new variety for 2008 from Mr Fothergill's, which had been bred specifically to be grown in our northern climate. A combination of tolerance to cold conditions and fast-maturing fruits meant this new variety was recommended for growing in an unheated greenhouse or even a warm position outside.
Last summer I tried growing a different melon outside, but the plants struggled to get going and yielded nothing at all. This year I'm trying again, hoping 'Emir' lives up to its catalogue description (though to be on the safe side I'm keeping two melon plants a little snugger in my greenhouse). So far, so good, and flowers are developing well. Now all I need is to cross-pollinate them, and keep my fingers crossed. Will I be cutting into sweet, juicy melons later this summer?
Just one problem has come to light this week. One of my melon plants is developing the characteristic white patches of powdery mildew on its leaves. If this spreads then my optimism may well be short-lived.
I could do with some advice from any melon experts out there on what to do next to ensure I get a decent crop. Just what is a reliable method for controlling mildew on melons?
I think I'll delay buying in the accompanying Parma ham just yet!
See more comments...
