Grafted Melon Anasta F1 Plants - Cucumis melo

Melons require a nutrient-rich soil and plenty of warmth for successful fruiting. Choose a location that is both very sunny and sheltered. Melon plants prefer cool and well-drained soil. Loosen the soil to a depth of about ten cm without turning it over. Apply well-rotted organic compost. If the soil is not well-draining, it is possible to create a small mound for each plant.

Initially, grow the plug plants by transplanting them into trays or pots with a diameter of 8 to 13cm (3 to 5in), filled with compost. Attention: When transplanting grafted plants, do not bury the graft point! Place the plants in a warm and bright location. Water regularly.

Planting in the ground should be done once the risk of frost has passed and the soil is sufficiently warmed. Space the plants 1m (3ft) apart in all directions. Dig a hole, place your plant with the graft point level with the ground, and cover with fine soil. Firmly press down and water to keep the soil moist.

Melon cultivation requires regular watering (about twice a week in summer, depending on the climate). Be careful to only water the base and not the leaves to prevent the appearance of mildew and powdery mildew. Regularly weed and hoe.

With new hybrid melon varieties, it is no longer necessary to pinch the leaves. Only perform step No. 4 to have a more beautiful fruit. In other cases, especially with old varieties, proceed as follows:

- When the plant has reached 4 leaves, pinch above the first two leaves to encourage branching. This way, you will obtain two main branches.

- As soon as these two branches have at least three leaves, they will be pinched again above the third leaf on both sides.

- The same process will be repeated on new branches above the third leaf.

- The fourth pruning is done during the fruiting process by pinching one leaf above the fruit to focus sap on the fruit and not on the production of new branches.

Keep a maximum of 5 to 7 fruits per plant.

As melons are quite demanding, you can follow them with peas or broad beans.