Fito said:

1. I planted watermelon in a container this year. The vine started growing
against a chain link fence. Mind you - I didnt think I would be sucessful or
I wouldnt have planted in a container against a fence. The plant is
intertwined in the fence and now I am starting to see tiny melons. Shocker,
huh? Anyway, I dont want to disrupt its growth but dont know what to do when
the melons get heavier. The container is about 3 feet off the ground and I
desperately will try anything to keep the plant as healthy and fruitful as
possible. Anyone have a thought on some type of support I can give to the
fruit.

When I was space-limited, I grew melons and squashes on fences and
trellises. I finally settled on making hammocks for the fruit out of chicken
wire. I cut a piece maybe 8" x 8" and fastened one end to the fence. Then
I used wire to fasten the outer corners to higher up on the fence, making a
shelf. You might want to limit your watermelon plants to just a couple of
melons (if the plant doesn't do that itself).

2. Tomatoes. I planted about 30 beefsteaks in containers. The pot sizes
ranged from 2 gallon to 15 gallon. I am worried that the 2 gallon containers
arent big enough and that I overstuffed the larger containers (two in a 10
gallon). Also, I am considering using stakes that have varnish or paint on
them (they are just sitting there in my garage). Is that safe?

Use the stakes. Be prepared to water a lot. Several of times a day wouldn't
be outrageous for the smaller containers. Maybe prune some of the stems back
to keep the plant load more in proportion to the containers. Certainly consider
using a *dilute* fertilizer solution fairly often, particularly one that contains
micronutrients, with all that watering going on.

3. Roses. I have a sick rose bush. Yellow leaves with black spots. Obviously
fungus right? As I stared at it yesterday, a small bee landed on one of the
leaves and cut a half inch semi-circle in it. Right before my very eyes. I
thought I was seeing things. I dont know the variety of the rose bush. Your
thoughts?

Black spot is a problem with a lot of roses. Best handled preventatively.
Cleanup is important, so remove the leaves that are most effected and
discard them (don't compost).

The bee is a leaf-cutter bee. It's one of the smaller pollinators. She used the
pieces of leaves to close off sections of her nest. They nest in holes and
crevices. Each section is packed with gathered pollen, then she lays an
egg, closes of the section, and starts another. A favorite place to nest is
in old rose or raspberry canes which have been cut to expose the pith. The
pith is easy for the bee to remove and the canes make nice nesting places.

That little bee might have pollinated your watermelon. So don't go begrudging
her a little bit of rose leaf.

http://www.producer.com/articles/200...17prod01a.html
http://www.ext.colostate.edu/pubs/insect/05576.html
--
Pat in Plymouth MI

Any technology distinguishable from magic is insufficiently advanced.
(attributed to Don Marti)