Melon Cradles

Hawgwild Tue Apr 12, 2022 2:59 pm

Searching on the internet to get ideas for cradling my cantaloupes and sugar baby watermelons and came across these cradles from bootstrapfarmer.com.

They have large and small cradles and the one here is the small one. Should easily handle a melon that is bowling ball size and a little larger. Will use zip ties to secure one to my trellis. They run about $22+ for 10. Same price for both sizes, large or small.

Think they will work out OK for me.
Scottie

BTW: That cantaloupe came from walmart..mine are a work in progress.. Very Happy

**sanderson** Tue Apr 12, 2022 5:09 pm

They are cute, I have to admit.

Slings for melons, winter squash, luffa and petite watermelons are not needed. The vine and tendrils toughen to support their fruits.

Hawgwild Tue Apr 12, 2022 9:14 pm

Thanks sanderson...I've read on here that the vines would strengthen as the weight increases but just wanted to try these ..

My kids and grand kids will get a good kick out of them anyway...and picking out the melon or cantaloupe they wish to take home.

What is that veggy in that first pic you posted on this thread?
Scottie

**sanderson** Tue Apr 12, 2022 10:21 pm

The first picture is what was supposed to be a spaghetti squash. It is obviously an opps, a hybrid, as it never turned yellow. But, it was a photo op.

When a melon is getting ripe, the slings can be used so that everyone's pick won't end up on the ground. When they are really rips, they can fall off the vine, as does some other fruits.

Hawgwild Wed Apr 13, 2022 9:17 am

Opps might be right..ha Thought it may be a butternut squash. Going to try those for a fall crop. Never tried them before but will give them a shot. Gonna be mighty hot when I have to put the plants out in August..

**sanderson** Thu Apr 14, 2022 12:20 am

Canadian crookneck. For sure, winter squashes do NOT need slings.

OhioGardener Thu Apr 14, 2022 8:41 am

sander wrote:For sure, winter squashes do NOT need slings.

It was so cool last fall when I walked under the arbor between the two raised beds, and looked up at the Red Kuri and Butternut Squash hanging down. The vines had no problem suspending them through the arbor.

Hawgwild Thu Apr 14, 2022 9:17 am

Nice veggy pics sanderson....definitely want need to sling the butternut but will have them running up a trellis.. Never even eaten a butternut squash but always looked good in the pics... but for now I need to take care of my spring crops...

Got a few more squares to fill in my sfg..

Scottie

**sanderson** Thu Apr 14, 2022 4:32 pm

Trust me, winter squash do not need slings. They hang gracefully. Public domain:

Hawgwild Thu Apr 14, 2022 7:28 pm

Wow....that is some squash...

**sanderson** Thu Apr 14, 2022 10:19 pm

Yep, Mother Nature doing her thing.

yolos Thu Apr 14, 2022 10:29 pm

Tromboncino Squash and Butternut Squash. Did not need cradles for these.

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Melon Cradles

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