Cantaloupe

Cantaloupe, Cucumis melo, is a vining plant in the family Cucurbitaceae, grown for its large, sweet fruit of the same name. Cantaloupe vines are trailing and are slightly hairy with simple oval leaves arranged alternately on the stem. The plant produces small yellow flowers which are 1.2–3.0 cm (0.5–1.2 in) in diameter and large oval to round fruit with green to orange flesh. Melon is an annual plant and a vine can grow up to 3 m (9.8 ft) in length. Cantaloupe may be referred to as muskmelon or melon and likely originate from East and Northeast Africa.


Melon is primarily consumed as a fresh fruit. The pulp may be turned into a fresh beverage and the seeds can be roasted and eaten.The unripe fruit of some species are cooked as a vegetable.


Basic requirements Cantaloupe is a warm-season crop, requiring lots of sun and good drainage to develop optimally and growing best at temperatures between 18 and 28°C (65–82°F). Melon will yield best if grown in a light, well-draining soil, rich in organic matter and with a pH between 6.0 and 7.0. Cantaloupe should be planted in full sun and are heavy feeders and water users. They need to be provided with ample soil moisture and fertilized regularly. Vining varieties can grow to very large sizes and require a good deal of space. Sowing seeds Cantaloupe can be direct seeded in areas with a long, warm growing season but in more Northern climates it should be sown indoors and transplanted. If direct seeding,seeds should be sown after the last frosts and when the soil has warmed to at least 18.4°C (65°F). Allow 90–120 cm (~3–4 ft) between seeds in a row and 150–180 cm (~5–6 ft) between rows. If transplanting, seeds should be sown approximately 3–4 weeks before the last frost date in your area and transplanted after the plants develop their first set of true leaves. Seeds sown both indoors and out require lightly moist soil for germination, care should be taken to avoid overwatering as seeds are prone to rotting. Seeds should germinate in 3–10 days depending on the soil temperature. Transplanting Cantaloupe seedlings should be transplanted when all danger of frost has passed and the soil has warmed to at least 18.4°C (65°F). Covering soil with dark plastic or mulch a week prior to planting outdoors can help bring the soil temperature up more quickly in colder regions, allowing earlier planting. Beginning approximately 7–10 days before transplanting, plants should be set outside to harden off (see https://www.plantvillage.com/posts/264). The planting site should be prepared by incorporating plenty of organic matter to encourage vegetative growth. When transplanting seedlings, allow 90–120 cm (~3–4 ft) between plants and 150–180 cm (~5–6 ft) between rows. Drip or soaker irrigation is preferred to overhead irrigation and plants should be watered evenly to keep them moist. General care and maintenance Cantaloupe vines are sprawling and require plenty space to grow. Vines can be trained to grow on a trellis or fence to save space. Cantaloupe plants also require a regular supply of water while growing, blooming and setting fruit and where drip irrigation is not being used, plants should be watered deeply once per week, providing at least an inch of water. Mulches can be used to conserve soil moisture and black polyethylene mulch has the advantage of warming the soil. Harvesting Cantaloupes are ready to be harvested when the the surface becomes netted and the color underneath turns from green to yellow. When the melon is ready to picked the stem will come away easily from the fruit.


CABI Crop Protection Compendium. (2011). Cucumis melo datasheet. Available at: http://www.cabi.org/cpc/datasheet/16966. [Accessed 05 November 14]. Paid subscription required. Foord, K. & MacKenzie, L. (2009). Growing melons (cantaloupe, watermelon, honeydew) in Minnesota home gardens. University of Minnesota Extension. Available at: http://www.extension.umn.edu/garden/yard-garden/fruit/growing-melons-in-minnesota-home-gardens/index.html. [Accessed 10 November 14]. Free to access Zitter, T. A., Hopkins, D. L. & Thomas, C. E. (1996). Compendium of Cucurbit diseases. American Phytopathological Society Press. Available at: http://www.apsnet.org/apsstore/shopapspress/Pages/42074.aspx. Available for purchase from APS Press.