Haha, I was afraid it wouldn't be comprehendable. It faces south, with tomatoes at the back so they don't shadow anything, so the direction I want the vines is towards the sun--that was a really helpful tidbit, I just thought they grew every which way! I was thinking of making like a reverse trellis and training them downwards at an angle over the edge. I've never tried any melons before so what I am also unsure about is how much room the roots themselves need--I can give it 2 ft, 3 tops each direction.

Thanks. That shoot already on the stake doesn't seem to want to grow much for whatever reason. Last year it put out around 2 - 3 feet of growth on the two longest branches (one broke over the winter) but that one that attached itself to the pole just sorta puts out a few leaves and then stalls out. Maybe it will take off this year. Too bad about having to wait until next year but luckily a wild grapevine found its way onto the telephone pole in my yard and its loaded with clusters. Maybe The birds will save me some? Thanks again.

I have a small bamboo trellis in the pot with my mandevilla. All I do is guide the young vines counterclockwise one half turn or so around one of the legs. I believe they are strongly oriented to go only one way -- mine always goes counterclockwise. If you just start them on their way, they will clasp and climb. The vines grow more woody as they mature, so you need to work with the very green tips. Mine are flexible to about 18 inches. You could use a very soft, loose tie, but the tips are easily damaged, so you need to be gentle. You might need to move the bamboo stick closer to the pot.

Ken, what side of the bed did you get out of this morning? What you have stated above is wrong! Did you notice the sentence I wrote above that said...(velcro) "can easily be repositioned multiple times...."? I had a hunch that you would have a derogatory statement about my suggestion for securing plants and I have been watching for it. You did not disappoint. Single-wrap velcro is a product you should try for its ease of use and durability. It is worth every dollar spent. But, you have to try it to understand its many uses in the garden for securing/staking plants, climbing roses, vertical vegetable gardening, great for tomatoes and espalier projects. I understand what the OP is trying to do as I am doing the same type of work. And I am confident that the heavy duty type of single-wrap velcro will do the job allowing the branches to be repositioned as needed.