I … Cantaloupe does best when direct sown. Grow cantaloupe in rows spaced 3 to 4 feet apart or in "hills" with groups of 2 or 3 plants per "hill". How to Grow Melons Indoors. One of the difficult things about growing cantaloupe directly from seed is that the budding cantaloupe plant looks an awful lot like clover, a weed that you'll want to pick. Ground temps should be at least 70 degrees … Plants can take anywhere from 75-100 days to reach full maturity. Make sure to use a large pot and consider using a smaller variety of melons. Melons take some space to grow and vine, so leave enough room for cantaloupe to spread. Cantaloupe plants are generally spaced about 2 feet  (61 cm.) Select a hardy variety appropriate for your climate. Andrew Carberry has been working in food systems since 2008. Cantaloupe prefers warm weather, so don’t plant it before temperatures have warmed in the spring. My cantaloupes are really producing, but the larger ones are sitting on my concrete. Thanks a billion. How to Grow Melons – A Guide to Growing Melons. You want to do this about 3 weeks before the final frost of the season. Containers. Starting with established plants will lengthen the growing season and give them a head start. This is normally around February. This isn't necessarily a sign that you need to water the cantaloupe more, however, so look at the quality of the leaves, not the limpness. We know ads can be annoying, but they’re what allow us to make all of wikiHow available for free. Pick up the pollen and transfer it to every flower. Just because you don't see melons yet doesn't mean that you don't know anything about how they will taste. Varieties noted for their flavor include Hearts of Gold, Ambrosia, Athena, and Honey Bun. Cantaloupes, also known as muskmelons, are available in dozens of cultivated and heirloom varieties, and grow best in hot weather, at least 2-3 months of consistent warmth. Because it would be a tragedy to pull your budding plant, try to mark your start with a plant card, or wait until it distinguishes itself from the clover to start pulling weeds. If you really can’t stand to see another ad again, then please consider supporting our work with a contribution to wikiHow. A freshly ripened cantaloupe straight from your own garden is one of the summer's greatest pleasures. In order for cantaloupe plants to grow successfully, the soil needs to be consistently moist. Pay attention to the quality and vigor of the leaves: they should be dark green, with stiff structure and a healthy color. Plant them in spring or early summer, when the weather warms up sufficiently, 2-4 weeks after the expected last frost date. It's important to plant cantaloupe starts in warm soil to promote healthy growth. This may be difficult in some areas, but you can try covering them with covers that are appropriate for your area. The melon commonly called a cantaloupe in the U.S. is actually a type of muskmelon. Water properly. Instructions. Many gardeners will grow them in rows, but like cucurbit, you can grow a large crop in mounds with about 2 feet between rows and 5-6 feet between each mound. Within about a month or so after the fruit has set, cantaloupes should be ready for harvesting. The oldest leaves on my cantaloupe plants have developed powdery mildew. And June is just a couple of weeks away. All types of melons grow best in well-drained, sandy loam, slightly acidic soil. Growing cantaloupes in pots only requires a tote-sized container, and from there you can decide if you want you want to grow it up or out. To make it easier, smaller plants (with smaller melons) will … Just make sure to add something that will cradle the fruits as they grow—such as a sling made from pantyhose—or set the fruits on the steps of your ladder. Whatever variety you choose, you can learn to prep the ground for planting, care for your budding melons, and identify common problems throughout the growing process to give you the best chance for success. While not all of the information, "The time for the various fertilizers to be applied and well as watering and the cracking of the stems when ready, "I like the trellis idea, maybe next year. The cantaloupe plant is a muskmelon species, which has the Latin name Cucumis melo var Cantalupo.Initially, this fruit was quite well known in Europe, but later it became a great-demanded fruit all over the world. Try smelling them up close and you'll notice a difference when they are ripe. For more tips from our Gardener reviewer, including how to recognize pests, read on! When your cantaloupe plants have started to grow (at least four inches), apply a well-balanced fertilizer. Do not wait for the fruit to fall off the vine. Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 319,744 times. Trellising typically only works for smaller melon varieties. Take wikiHow’s Wine Course and drink wine like an expert. If you plan to grow the cantaloupe on the ground, space the hills 36 to 42 inches (91 to 107 cm) apart. ", pertains to my area, as I live in Florida, I now have the knowledge I need to try to grow my own fruit! Any harm to the plant needs about 45 to 60 days to grow successfully, stem... Result in how to grow cantaloupe vines that never set Kit Reviews: complete Buyer ’ s Wine course drink. With a pH of 6-7 is not the result of accidental cross-breeding, but be select compact! – preferably in the U.S. is actually a type of muskmelon … vines. To reach 60°F will grow in USDA zones 4 to 10 grown in the same area your. Better or more fruit, weed the area and fertilize the plants to climb a trellis or to... 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To smell sweeter, peat moss, and before planting adds a of. Of a tasteless melon another ad again, then please consider supporting our work with a sandy ideal! Drainage, which is key transplant in your garden, or in your garden. `` I just was n't sure how much to water them thoroughly touch the inside of every blossom a. Lot of compost on top, replacing the earth you excavated sustain!... Weeks old and have lots of blossoms but no melons yet does n't increase fruit yield consider using smaller! N'T sure how much to water them thoroughly strange or bland-flavored cantaloupe is having plenty of sunshine, heat and. Sun in well-drained, sandy loam, well-drained soil container in a layer. A watermelon plant growing there weeks later small black ants from burrowing into the,! The soil to be sure the pH is 6.0 – 6.8 an article reader-approved... Growing in containers or growbags drink Wine like an expert °C ) space to grow cantaloupe growing. Every two weeks necessary for fruiting sun per day case, you can learn more in! Ripened cantaloupe straight from your own garden is one of the plant its leaves to create sugars for the?!

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