I never bother taking off fruit but I've got large numbers so it isn't really much of an option for me.
If you'd like larger fruit and have enough plants for your needs than removing some of the fruit would be beneficial. Mostly you can do much the same thing by simply keeping up a regular dilute fertilizer feed throughout their fruiting cycle. Whether you use miracle grow, manure teas or some other form of fertilizer they'll all provide the plants the extra energy they need for productive growth. Keeping down weeds and insects is also a must, especially be vigilant for the spotted and 2-stripe beetles as they carry a vicious bacterial pathogen which will wilt your vines.
Thank you so much for the reply about my cantaloupes. Sure enough, when I went out today I found the Western Cucumber 2-striped beetles in my squash flowers. I hand picked them and shook them into a cup of vinegar. I will check again in the morning when the yellow flowers are open.
3 comments:
New to S. Oregon. Can my cantaloupe vines support all that have set, or should I remove some to give more vigor to the vine?
I never bother taking off fruit but I've got large numbers so it isn't really much of an option for me.
If you'd like larger fruit and have enough plants for your needs than removing some of the fruit would be beneficial. Mostly you can do much the same thing by simply keeping up a regular dilute fertilizer feed throughout their fruiting cycle. Whether you use miracle grow, manure teas or some other form of fertilizer they'll all provide the plants the extra energy they need for productive growth. Keeping down weeds and insects is also a must, especially be vigilant for the spotted and 2-stripe beetles as they carry a vicious bacterial pathogen which will wilt your vines.
Thank you so much for the reply about my cantaloupes. Sure enough, when I went out today I found the Western Cucumber 2-striped beetles in my squash flowers. I hand picked them and shook them into a cup of vinegar. I will check again in the morning when the yellow flowers are open.
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