You can prune to three main stems from the base of the plant.

Even though we have grown these for several years in the past, with all the pruning we did they still went wild. So in the end all we could do was keep the patch from getting out of control at the perimeters. I can honestly say the patch would grow at least 5 inches within a 24 hour span. But I do have to say from the initial 4 plants we harvested several hundred melons. I surely hope you don't want that big of a harvest!!! I think the most import thing is to have the long growing season and to pick the maure melons and have a second crop. Good Luck