Queen Anne's Pocket melon in container?

15 years ago

Hi all,

This is my first post, so hopefully I didn't miss this question being addressed elsewhere. But I searched the archives and didn't find anything.

So: I was thinking of trying to grow queen anne's pocket melon in a container on my balcony. Does anyone know if this is a reasonable thing to attempt? I'm in Montreal, so not the warmest climate, but I do have a pretty sunny spot on the landing of my fire-escape-like stairs (with railings that could work as trellises, I think). This weekend I planted a few seeds in a wee pot indoors, in case I do decide to transplant outside when the weather warms.

I haven't been able to find much specific information on this melon, or on how it grows. I know the melons themselves are small, but for example I don't know how big the vine gets, etc.

Any advice? Is it worth a shot? How big a container would I need?

Thanks a lot!

Molly

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Comments (7)

marshallpoint
15 years ago
I don't have any answers for you but I searched for this melon and found that someone here had "a ton of these to trade" in 2005. You could search for that thread and email the poster with your questions. They should know a lot about how it grows if not about the container or climate questions. Good luck.

Here is a link that might be useful: Member with experience
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mollywk
Original Author
15 years ago
Thanks a lot! I did see that post, but hadn't thought of emailing the poster. I now have, so we'll see what they say. I also emailed Baker's Creek, where I got the seeds, and they replied with these specs...

Height:
12-18 in. (30-45 cm)
Spacing:
36-48 in. (90-120 cm)
Sun Exposure:
Full Sun

Âas well as the advice that they probably wouldn't work in containers. Does that seem accurate? Perhaps so, if they really need at least three feet of spacing.

So perhaps I can turn this into a more general question -- does anyone have any recommendations for melon varieties that *can* be grown in containers? And any good advice on how to do so?

Thanks again,
Molly
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urbangardener If those melons weigh 15 pounds each, you're going to need a strong trellis and strong nets or slings for the melons to grow in once they've appeared. Do you know how long the vines grow? That will impact the height of the trellis. Did you see this information about it? This site says the fruits are only 2"-3" in size so they certainly won't weigh 15 pounds. MELON - QUEEN ANNE'S POCKET Victorian Perfumed Melon / Plum Granny. 20+ seeds - $2.50. This pretty little monoecious vine is an heirloom treasure often forgotten in modern day gardens. A unique vine will sport 2-3" melons of yellow and orange in only 75-80 days. In days long ago, the melons were carried in the pockets of those who may not have had the facilities needed for proper hygeine. The melons would help to mask body odors when one was not able to bathe, thus the term 'pocket pomander' was born. Though they are edible, they have a very bland flavor and are actually preferred for the perfumed scent rather than become a food item. Also known as the Victorian or Queen Anne's Pocket Melon, Plum Granny Plumgranite and Dudaim Melon. Stories of old tell that Queen Anne herself carried one, which would explain why common names such as Her Majesty's Melon have been used. Produces a tiny yet memorable conversation piece. Not a bumper crop by any means, but an heirloom well worth planting. Though they are edible, they have a very bland flavor and are actually preferred for the perfumed scent rather than become a food item. Also known as the Victorian or Queen Anne's Pocket Melon, Plum Granny Plumgranite and Dudaim Melon. Stories of old tell that Queen Anne herself carried one, which would explain why common names such as Her Majesty's Melon have been applied. Produces a tiny yet memorable conversation piece. Not a bumper crop by any means, but an heirloom well worth planting. Though they are edible, they have a very bland flavor and are actually preferred for the perfumed scent rather than become a food item. Also known as the Victorian or Queen Anne's Pocket Melon, Plum Granny Plumgranite and Dudaim Melon. Stories of old tell that Queen Anne herself carried one, which would explain why common names such as Her Majesty's Melon have been applied. Produces a tiny yet memorable conversation piece. Not a bumper crop by any means, but an heirloom well worth planting. Halfway down this page. ===== Since it's monoecious, that means that it has both male and female flowers on the vines, and you won't need other vines for it to pollinate, though a backup or two wouldn't hurt, and would provide you with more melons. I'd check out the actual weight of the fruits and the vine length if possible before settling on the kind of trellis you'll use. And transplanting them to your large containers can be done carefully. They're quite likely to survive if you pamper them for a day or two afterwards, making sure they are kept moist but not overwatered and shaded. Good luck! (Do you plan to stop bathing and carry one around in your pocket when it's hot? :-) )
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weirdtrev
15 years ago
I've grown the cantaloupe 'Minnesota Midget' in an EarthBox and it worked wonderfully. The melons don't need to be supported ... until it nears harvest otherwise they will just fall to the ground once the stem starts to slip. I've also grown Queen Anne's Pocket (though not in a container) and it is a compact plant with small fruit. I see no reason to not grow it in a pot, I am sure it would be fine. Though you will want to use a trellis whenever you grow a vine in a pot.
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mollywk
Original Author
15 years ago
Hey, thanks for the encouragement! The information from Baker's Creek did make it sound compact, but also like it needed a lot of room... for roots, I guess.

Did you have a good experience growing it? Is it as fragrant as the descriptions would have one believe? If I'm going through the trouble of growing a non-edible melon, I want it to at least be worthwhile for the scent! ;)
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weirdtrev
15 years ago
They are fragrant and definitely worth a try. But I would compare the smell to a ripe cantaloupe, not in terms of fragrance but in terms of pungency. Like you can't walk outside and smell the ripe melons but if you put it close to your nose you will smell it. Both times I grew it the plants were really miniscule, like they covered maybe 4 square feet but still had ~4ish melons per plant. They were so small I just kind of forgot about them, which certainly didn't help them grow larger. I suspect you will have better results in a pot as that seems to be the way it always goes. I also think I planted them later than I should have in a kind of 'oh here is a bare spot let me put something there' move. It is a melon though and once they are ripe they don't last long. I think it is more of a novelty kind of plant where you just do it one year to say you have.
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mollywk
Original Author
15 years ago
Haha, great, that sounds pretty reasonable.
Thanks again!
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melaniewhitacre_yahoo_com
14 years ago
I grew this pocket melon last season in Virginia. It is certainly edible. A bit like bland honeydew, but still fresh and good tasting. The fragrance was like an entire farmer's market in one little ball! Got my seed from Baker Creek. They also have a melon called Tigger which is red and yellow striped, fragrant and a bit better eating quality. I plan to container both varieties on my balcony this season. They are both lovely and compact plants. Hand pollinate if you do not have lots of bees in your neiborhood.
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Queen Anne's Pocket melon in container?

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Queen Anne's Pocket melon in container?

Comments (7)

marshallpoint

mollywkOriginal Author

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weirdtrev

mollywkOriginal Author

weirdtrev

mollywkOriginal Author

melaniewhitacre_yahoo_com

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mollywk
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mollywk
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mollywk
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