With small fruited varieties you can let them set on 5 or 6 at a time if the plant is vibrantly healthy...less if not so vigorous. After the first set is maturing up, you can let it set a second setting. The plants will about half-way do that adjusting itself.

With large varieties I like to raise 2 [or 3] if extra healthy at a setting.

Concur: Shiny Boy is a Crimson Sweet type, 20 lb class so I do not considered pruning. {{gwi:84234}}

Thanks, I will let it do its own thing. Appreciate your time.

I would go with pruning, because it makes it less crowded and the risk of fungus is less because of good air circulation.

Thanks, I do have good air circulation, and I see new ones setting. I will not prune.

Melons are doing great and the second set is growing. Thanks. When is it time to harvest. I know its about time, the tendril on one side of the vine is brown, the other is still green. Any help on when to harvest?

When you have just a few melons, you watch each one...I know I do. The first clue to ripeness is that the given melon has stopped growing. Also the CLOSEST tendril to the melon has turned yellow and then brown...about a 4 day process. Then check the melon [carefully turning it] on the bottom. It should be creamy/ yellow where it lay when ripe...better to wait a couple days extra than to pick early...if in doubt.

With baby type melons the bottoms may or may not turn colors so conclusively.