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Plant cantaloupe in an area with warm soil (70°F+) and plenty of sun. Cantaloupes are sprawlers, so plant them 36 to 42 inches apart in fertile, well-drained soil. Growing cantaloupes require a lot of nutrients, so it’s best to improve your soil by mixing in several inches of compost or other rich organic matter.
How many cantaloupes do you get per plant?
Unlike other varieties, the vines only spread up to three feet. Each plant can produce anywhere from four to eight delicious melons.
Is cantaloupe easy to grow?
Cantaloupes (aka rockmelons, sweet melons, and spanspeks) are an easy growing specialty melon that can be direct sown after all danger of frost, or started indoors 3-4 weeks before setting out. Cantaloupe plants take around 80 days to mature on average and is the most hardy when grown in zones 4-10 as a summer annual.
Do cantaloupes climb?
Cantaloupe, like other Cucurbits, grow long vines. These can reach anywhere from four to seven feet, depending on the variety. By training the vines to climb a vertical structure, you save space in your garden while still giving the melons plenty of space to stretch.
How long does it take for cantaloupe to produce fruit?
How long does it have to grow? Cantaloupe matures in about 80 to 90 days. Melons are normally ready to harvest when they start turning yellow on the bottom and the stem starts turning brown.
Do cantaloupes need full sun?
Plant cantaloupes in full sun in well-drained soil. Cantaloupe plants need about 85 days to mature, but don’t rush planting. Sow seeds only when temperatures reliably stay above 50 to 60 degrees F. Cantaloupes need about 1 to 2 inches of water per week.
What month do you plant cantaloupe?
When planting cantaloupe, wait until the threat of frost has passed and the soil has warmed in spring. You can either sow seeds directly in the garden or in flats inside (do this well before their initial planting outdoors), or you can use transplants purchased from reputable nurseries or garden centers.
Are cantaloupes annuals or perennials?
A: Unfortunately, cantaloupes are an annual and will die off once the vine has finished producing its melons.
How long does it take for a cantaloupe to grow after flowering?
Typically a cantaloupe will yield mature fruit 35 to 45 days after blossoming, according to the University of Minnesota, so time your planting to provide those 45 days while the weather is still warm.
How do you tell the difference between a male and female cantaloupe flower?
Male melon flowers will have a stamen, which is a pollen covered stalk that sticks up in the center of the flower. Female flowers will have a sticky knob, called a stigma, inside the flower (that the pollen will stick to) and the female flower will also sit on top of an immature, tiny melon.
How often do you water a cantaloupe?
Cantaloupes need plenty of water, but not enough to make a soggy garden. Give your crops one to two inches of water per week, watering the soil directly to avoid wetting the leaves and promoting powdery mildew. Once fruit begins to grow, reduce your watering, as dry weather is best for sweeter melons.
Can cantaloupe grow on the ground?
This cantaloupe plant spills out of a raised bed and spreads on the ground where it produces fruit. To prevent rot, the fruit rests on gravel mulch instead of on the bare soil. Keep foliage healthy because it is the source of sugar for the fruit. As melons ripen, the leaves naturally begin to look rough.
Are cantaloupes good for you?
It also packs: 100% of the daily value for vitamin C, a powerful antioxidant that protects your cells from damage. All your daily need for vitamin A, which helps keep your eyes, skin, bones, and immune system healthy. About 12% of your recommended daily potassium, important for your heart, muscles, and blood pressure.
Will cantaloupe grow up a fence?
Setting Up a Trellis The cantaloupe trellis doesn’t need to be incredibly fancy as long as it’s strong. Wooden fence posts are a sturdy option for holding the weight of the vines and fruit.
Does cantaloupe grow on trees?
But not all fruits grow on trees. Some grow on vines on the ground, while others might grow on small plants or bushes. Instead, watermelons grow on vines on the ground. Watermelons aren’t the only fruits that grow on the ground on vines. Fruits that grow in a similar way include cantaloupes and honeydew melons.
What can you not plant with cantaloupe?
Cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower, carrots, kale, okra, spinach, sunflowers, lettuce, and Brussels sprouts also flourish in the companionship of melons. Avoid planting melons with potatoes. Marigolds – Adding a splash of brilliant color, marigolds are “great neighbors” to most any vegetable crop, especially melons.
Will cantaloupe ripen off the vine?
Pick up the melon, smell it and if the fragrance is sweet, then it’s ripe and ready. With a moderately long shelf life, cantaloupes ripen off the vine and are harvested before they’re ripe so they’ll arrive at the grocery store at their peak.
How do you keep melons off the ground?
Use a cage, plastic mulch, stakes, straw mulch or other materials to protect the fruit from the ground. You can even use a wooden board for the fruit to rest on as it matures.
Can you over water cantaloupe?
Your cantaloupe plants will need lots of water up until the time they start to bear fruit. However, if you over-water, the root systems will become waterlogged and the plants will die. Cantaloupe plants do well if they get about an inch of rainfall per week.
Why are my cantaloupe leaves turning yellow?
Overwatering. Sometimes yellow leaves are simply an indication that the plant is receiving too much water. Without chlorophyll, the leaves turn yellow. Cantaloupe need 1 to 2 inches of water a week until fruit the fruit begins to grow, after which watering should be reduced.
Can I plant cantaloupe in May?
Cantaloupe prefers warm weather, so don’t plant it before temperatures have warmed in the spring. Sow seeds outside about 2 weeks after the last frost date when soil temperatures are about 65℉. In the low desert of Arizona, the best time to plant cantaloupe is from February 15 through July.
How do I protect my cantaloupe from bugs?
How to Kill Insects That Kill Cantaloupe Maintain sun-filled areas for cantaloupes; prune back plants that create shady conditions with pruning shears or move structures that block out the sun. Maintain well-drained, sandy soil high in organic content.
Where do cantaloupes grow?
In the U.S., California is the largest producer of cantaloupes producing almost three times as much as Arizona, the second largest producing state. Other states with significant amounts of production include Georgia, southern Indiana, and eastern Colorado (Fig 1).
