It has a tan-green rind and sweet orange flesh.
Coarse, medium green heart-shape leaves sit upright on fuzzy stems that line prickly, sprawling vines.
Cantaloupe loves warm weather in which to grow, and it has a moderate growth rate.
The Spruce / Heidi Kolsky
Its typically planted in the spring for a summer harvest.
Opt for a spot with full sun and nutrient-rich, acidic to neutral soil with good drainage.
Adding compost to the soil will help increase the nutrients for young plants to become established.
The Spruce / Heidi Kolsky
Then, transplant seedlings outdoors once the soil temperature is above 60 degrees Fahrenheit.
Selecting a Planting Site
Choose a sunny spot with well-drained soil for your cantaloupe.
Container growth is an option, though you must have a fairly large container.
The Spruce / Heidi Kolsky
Avoid growing cantaloupe near watermelon, as they can attract the same pests and diseases.
Spacing, Depth, and Support
Seeds should be planted roughly an inch deep.
Space them 18 inches apart in rows that are around 3 feet apart.
The Spruce / Heidi Kolsky
A support structure isnt essential.
But you could train the vines to grow up a sturdy trellis or other structure.
Sufficient sun also will help to keep the foliage dry, minimizing the chance of fungal diseases.
The Spruce / Heidi Kolsky
It should have sharp drainage.
Consider amending the soil with compost prior to planting to improve both its drainage and nutrient content.
Watering in the morning is preferred to allow leaves to dry off in the afternoon.
As the fruit grows, taper the watering.
Hot, dry conditions in the final stages of maturation produce the sweetest melons.
The cantaloupe plant isn’t frost-tolerant.
Plus, temperatures exceeding 90 degrees Fahrenheit can cause flower drop and a poor fruit harvest.
Fertilizer
Feeding is not recommended until a soil test is performed.
Excessive nitrogen in the soil can promote foliage growth rather than good fruit production.
For the amount to use, follow the product label instructions.
Pollination
Cantaloupe plants produce male and female flowers.
And pollinating animals, as well as the wind, help to pollinate them.
However, if your vines arent fruiting, you always can try hand-pollinating.
Repeat this throughout the vines.
reticulatus) is actually a jot down of muskmelon (Cucumis melo).
True cantaloupes are the European muskmelon variety (Cucumis melovar.cantalupensis), which has rough gray-green skin with ribbing.
Besides differing in appearance, the European variety tends to be sweeter than the North American variety.
There are a few key signs that the fruits are ready for harvesting.
First, the outside will turn from green to tan.
Gently twist the ripe fruit off of the stem to harvest.
Be careful not to disturb the rest of the vine where fruits are still developing.
you could store uncut fruits at room temperature for about a week.
But container growth also is an option if you dont have a suitable garden site.
Opt for a smaller cantaloupe variety, which will do better in limited container space.
However, youll still need at least a 5-gallon container with drainage.
Pruning
Once fruit production starts, prune off the buds on the ends of the vines.
This does mean sacrificing some blossoms that likely would have turned to fruits.
However, it should end up making the remaining melons larger and of better quality.
Propagating Cantaloupe
Cantaloupe is typically grown from seeds or nursery plants.
And it is possible to propagate your plants bysaving seeds.
Youll save seeds as you harvest your ripe cantaloupes.
verify to keep the soil moist but never soggy.
And you should see germination in about one to two weeks.
Mixing some compost into the soil also can be a good idea to give your plants a boost.
Repotting shouldnt be necessary.
Overwintering
Cantaloupe is an annual, completing its growth cycle in one season.
It cannot survive cool winter temperatures.
Thus, no overwintering maintenance is necessary.
Common Pests and Plant Diseases
Cantaloupe is susceptible to some common garden pests and diseases.
Pests includeaphids, squash vine borer moths, and cucumber beetles.
Diseases include powdery mildew and fusarium wilt.
Insect infestations can sometimes be treated with neem oil or an organic insecticide.
And diseases are best prevented with proper growing conditions.
You also must have adequate garden space for the long vines.
Cantaloupe takes around 70 to 100 days from planting to harvesting on average.
Some varieties mature early and are ideal for cooler climates with shorter growing seasons.
Cantaloupe is an annual with the vines dying once fruit production is complete.
So youll have to start with new seeds or seedlings each year.
