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Ants a pollinators ... for melons.

12 years ago

This may not be the best forum for this matter, BUT I am growing Savor (Charentis type) melons hydroponically, drip system, in a 10'x12'x13' greenhouse in Tucson, AZ. Well, growing means a couple plants. The melons are great tasting, and so far it looks like I might get more than seven melons per vine.

The question is: "Who or how are the melons being pollinated? Johnny's Seeds indicate that these Savor melons are not self-pollinating. There are no bees in the greenhouse and I'm not doing the pollination manually. However, I have observed small black ants (species unknown to me) very active on the vines, the support twine and in the blossoms.

Has anyone had a similar experience, or does anyone have a better or differnt explanation about the pollination process that's occuring here?

The melons are great and if it is the black ants that are doing the deed I want them to keep coming.

Comments (2)

howelbama
12 years ago
I am growing melons too, and I think ants are what did most of the early pollinating on mine...before the bees came out in any numbers. I would leave them, just watch for aphids as the ants farm them and may bs why they are around...
dennyg
Original Author
12 years ago
howelbama, are you growing your melons in a greenhouse or outside?

Yes, aphids and ants. Before the aphids appeared there were only black ants on my melons. During a three week absence, green aphids took over my jalapenos which are next to my melons, but didn't bother the melons. There were a zillion red ants on the jalapenos, and a lot fewer black ants on my melons. Mother nature is sure complicated.
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