How to Grow Cantaloupe or Melon
Okay, is it a Melon, a Cantaloupe or a muskmelon? Fact of the matter is,
people call them by all three names. Does it really matter? We don't think
so. Any fruit that tastes this good, and is served at breakfast, lunch, dinner,
and snack time, can be called anything you want to call it.
A cousin of the watermelon, cantaloupes have a sweet, musky taste, and are
mouth watering delicious. Already popular in the home garden, it continues
to gain in popularity. "Bush type" varieties, requiring less space, are the
most popular. Bush varieties are not really a bush. Rather, they grow on
a shorter, more compact vine.
When preparing a bowl of melons, two or thee varieties are often used together.
The color combination of orange Cantaloupes, mixed with green colored Honeydew
melons is aesthetically pleasing. Food that looks good, tastes even better.
Varieties of Melons:
-
Cantaloupe and Muskmelons- There are several varieties, including early and
bush types.
-
Honeydew Melons- This is a sweet, light tasting melon. The flesh is lime
green to light green in color.
-
Crenshaw Melon- Another, less common melon with a peach colored fruit and
a yellow skin.
Planting:
Common wisdom recommends melons be planted in "hills" or groups. However,
this is not a requirement. If you are growing large quantities, it may not
be practical.
When planting in hills, sow four to six melon seeds per hill and space the
hills four to six feet apart. Sow 1/2 to 1 inch deep. After germination,
thin and keep the three or four healthiest plants. Row spacing should be
five to six feet. The more compact "bush" types may tolerate closer spacing.
If you choose not to hill, sow seeds three to four inches apart.
Seedlings can be started indoors. A germination mat is helpful. We recommend
using peat pellets to help to minimize transplant shock.
Days to Maturity:
Growing melons takes most of the summer season, They require approximately
75 to 90 days, with most varieties on the higher end. While they take a while
to grow, it's worth the wait.
Insects and Pests:
Melon plants are a favorite food of a variety of insect pests. Among the
most common pests are the cucumber beetle and the squash vine borer.
Occasionally, other pests will invade the melon patch. Common insecticides
such as Sevin are very effective. Treatment before the emergence of insects
is recommended.
Mice and moles also enjoy melons. Many a grower has seen their melon turn
to mush just before it is picked. Close inspection often reveals a mole tunnel
leading under the fruit. Placing a board under the fruit is one means of
deterrence. Pest control is another.
Disease:
Melon plants are very susceptible to powdery mildew and other fungus diseases.
Early treatment with fungicide is effective. If not caught early, the entire
patch can be affected.
Harvesting:
Determining when a melon is ripe is a bit of an art form. As a general rule,
a melon is ripe when the stem begins to dry out. The end of the melon is
soft when pressed with your thumb. A melon is over ripe when it is soft all
over. Melons can be picked just prior to ripening. Commercial growers pick
them just before they are ripe, as they ship better and keep longer.
Once harvested, it will only last about a week un-refrigerated. Melons will
keep for weeks in your refrigerator.
Hardiness:
Melons do not like cold and frost. Plant outdoors after the last frost date
for your area. If the plants still have fruit in the fall, be prepared to
cover the plants on frosty nights.
More Information:
Buy Cantaloupe Seeds and Melon Seeds Finest quality
Ferry Morse Seed, America's oldest seed company with their famous "guarantee
to grow".
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