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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.
Do cantaloupes grow on vines?
Grown as a summer annual in USDA Hardiness Zones 4-10, the fruit develops on a trailing vine, which can trained up a trellis to save space. Most varieties mature in 65-90 days and produce round fruits that weigh up to 3-4 pounds. Cantaloupe melons are a variety of the muskmelon, C.
How long does a cantaloupe grow?
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.
How many cantaloupes grow on a hill?
Sow and Plant Sow seeds 1 inch deep in rows, or in hills spaced 6 feet apart. After 2 weeks, thin to 2 plants per hill. To prevent insect problems and encourage early growth, cover seedlings with row cover (fleece) tunnels until they begin to bloom.
Where does cantaloupe grow?
51% of cantaloupes grown globally are grown in China where they consume just as many melons as they produce. In the United States, 80% of cantaloupe production takes place in California and Arizona. Cantaloupes are a type of muskmelon. Muskmelons are warm weather plants that grow in countries across the globe.
What is the life cycle of a cantaloupe?
The cantaloupe growth cycle is 80 to 120 days and at this stage of growth it requires warmth, soil nutrients and moisture protection. A layer of straw or chipped bark mulch is added as plants reach several inches in height and the soil warms to 75 degrees F or above.
Do cantaloupes need trellis?
Space plants 36 to 42 inches apart. Or, to save space, plant melons 12 inches apart at the base of a trellis. When trellising melons, tie vines to the trellis daily, using soft plant ties that won’t crush stems. A trellis for cantaloupe should be large: up to 8 feet tall and 20 feet wide in warmest climates.
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.
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.
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 after flowering do cantaloupe grow?
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.
Can cantaloupe grow on a trellis?
When trellising melons, tie vines to the trellis daily, using soft plant ties that won’t crush stems. A trellis for cantaloupe should be large: up to 8 feet tall and 20 feet wide in warmest climates. Wire fencing works well.
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.
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.
What is the best month to 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.
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.
How long does it take cantaloupe to sprout?
How long do cantaloupe seeds take to germinate? In warm soil (above 75°F), cantaloupe seeds will pop up quickly—within 3-5 days. In cooler soils, it might take as long as a week to 10 days before they germinate.
