cantaloup are warmth - love plants with a relatively long growing time of year . As long as you supply the proper environmental conditions , grow cantaloup from seed is aboveboard . In this article , find out how to grow cantaloup from seed and revel an abundant harvest of cherubic , juicy melons .
On modal , cantaloupe plant life mature in approximately 70 - 100 days . They ’re sensitive to cold conditions and do n’t tolerate temperatures below 40 ℉ .
In most climates , gardeners plant cantaloupe seed indoors several weeks before the expected last frost particular date to give the plant enough time to develop large , toothsome melons . It ordinarily takes around 35 - 45 days after bloom for the fruit to mature .
What to Know about Growing Cantaloupe from Seed
If you ’ve never tried embed cantaloupe seed because you ’re disquieted that they wo n’t arise well in your climate , think again .
Over the year , agriculturalist of differentcantaloupe typeshave come up with numerous useful whoremonger for cultivating cantaloupe in cooler climates . Read on to discover how to implant Cucumis melo cantalupensis seeds in your neighborhood .
Cantaloupe is a eccentric of muskmelon that likely originate in southern Asia and northerly Africa . Cucumis melo var . cantalupensis is the botanic name for cantaloupe .
They ’re in the Cucurbit plant household , along with cucumbers , honeydew melon vine , mash , and watermelon vine . note of hand thathoneydew melons and cantaloup are not the same thingbut they do require like growing conditions and care .
The idealistic temperature kitchen stove for growing cantaloupevine fruit plantsis between 75 - 95 ° F . The plants grow considerably slower when temperatures are below 60 ° F .
In regions with parky give conditions , use float rowing covers or a insensate bod to isolate your freeze - tender plants until warmer weather get .
Select a planting land site with full sun , well - draining soil rich in nutrient , and confidential information protection . Cantaloupe plant need eight to ten hours of lineal sunlight day by day , standardised to when you growpumpkins from seedor unlike varieties of squash .
Use mulch to minimize weed increase , hold back wet , and isolate your garden land . Cantaloupe plants have shallow root systems and suffer when competing with weeds for water and nutrient .
Here are some of the good cantaloupe cultivars for home gardener .
How to Plant Cantaloupe Seeds
Although it ’s potential to sow in cantaloupe seeds directly in the flat coat , most growers in northern clime start seed indoors in other spring .
Thebest time to plant cantaloupe seedsindoors is about six weeks before your expected last frost engagement . Or , seed germ out of doors a workweek or two after the last danger of frost passes and the soil temperature is above 60 ℉ .
Thestages of growingcantaloupe start with filling peat batch or a seedling tray with seed - starting potting mix and gently saturating the land . Plant the cantaloupe vine seeds one inch mystifying , then broadly treat them with potting soil .
Cover the tray with a humidity dome , damp paper towel , or plastic wrapper to hold moisture . Cantaloupe seeds typically bourgeon in three to nine 24-hour interval . Use a heat mat to hold consistent warmth .
The optimal dirt temperature for sprouting is 75 - 85 ℉ . The seeds wo n’t germinate below 60 ℉ . Once the seedling sprout , move them to a cheery windowsill with six or more hours of bright light day by day .
If you do n’t have a Dixieland - facing window available , apply a grow light to prevent them from becoming elongated or “ leggy . ”
When to Plant Cantaloupe Outdoors
Once daytime temperature are consistently warmer than 65 ℉ , start season off your cantaloupe seedlings by leaving them out of doors in a sheltered spot for progressively longer periods .
Gradually acclimatizing the plants , bothcantaloupeand muskmelon , to the element reduces the risk of transplant shock .
transfer the seedlings a hebdomad or two after the last hoar day of the month for your region . Cover your planting country with dark - colored mulch or black charge card for several days ahead of meter to warm up the soil before transplant .
It ’s best to plant cantaloupe in mounds or hilled rows , so piddle drains away from the main stem . If you ’re planting cantaloupe from source with modified garden distance , take aim the vines to climb a trellis .
Spacing between cantaloupe plants should be at least 18 inches . pass on three foot between hills or rows .
Best Soil and Fertilizer for Cantaloupe
For the best possible cantaloupe harvest , assure that your garden soil drains well and is copious in organic matter . To prepare your planting land site , mix in organic compost or well - rotted manure .
Cantaloupe plants are heavy tributary and require regular fertilizer program throughout the uprise season .
Dilute liquid fertilizer with piddle according to the direction listed on the product label and fee your works every two to three week . For obtuse - sack granular fertilizer , apply every four to six workweek .
apply this bare DIY recipe tomake a plant food for watermelonor your Cucumis melo cantalupensis and learn them get .
Mix the ingredients in a lidded container . Every three or four calendar week , commingle two tablespoons of fertilizer into the soil around each plant ’s base . Store your homemade fertilizer mixture seal in an airtight container in a cool , dry fix .
How to Grow Cantaloupe from Seed in Pots
Container horticulture is an excellent solution for growers with limited outer space . Choose a muckle that ’s at least twelve inches deep and broad and hold five or more gallons of soil .
drain mess at the bottom reduce the endangerment of fungal diseases like root bunk and powdery mildew .
come in your cantaloupe mountain near a wall of your home to take vantage of the radiant heat . quality thick varieties and train the vine to climb a treillage .
Harvest and Storage Strategies for Homegrown Cantaloupe
Cantaloupe plants grow distinct male and female flowers . Male flowers emerge first and grow a pollen - producing stamen .
distaff flowers curb a pistil to receive the pollen and a small client at their substructure that develops into yield after pollination .
If a female bloom persist unpollinated , that node shrivels and drop off . Without dirt ball pollinators , deal - pollinate your cantaloupe flowers is necessary .
comrade constitute with redolent herb and flowers attract pollinators and other beneficial insects . Basil , bee balm , calendula , chamomile , marigolds , genus Nasturtium , and wild marjoram are excellent cantaloupe familiar .
The cantaloupe rind ’s colour indicates its ripeness . Most varieties change from unripe to yellow when ripe . Additionally , the veins or netting on the rind airfoil darken .
The stems begin to come off from the top of full ripe melon . You ’ll feel minimal resistivity when pulling it from the vine .
Eat freshly - picked cantaloupe within three to five days . Storing fresh cantaloupe or Citrullus vulgaris in the fridge keeps it tasty longer . Refrigerate reduce cantaloupe in moldable wrapper or an airtight container .
Pick cantaloupes just before they ’re fully mature for longer shelf living . They are n’t as sweet-scented , but they ’ll remain brisk for around two weeks .
Solving Common Pest and Disease Problems
Aphids and cucumber beetle are the most prevalent insect pests for cantaloupe plant . Protect cantaloupe seedlings with wrangle covers to forestall insects from set egg or feeding on them .
Spray all part infested flora with an organic insecticide like neem oil or insecticidal easy lay every two or three days .
Bacterial and fungal plant life disease spread quickly in warm , damp conditions . Ensure that your plant have adequate air circulation . Keep the leave dry when irrigate by using drip irrigation or a soaker hose .
Growing cantaloup vine from seminal fluid is fun and rewarding . When considering how to establish cantaloupe seeds , the most influential factors are light , nutrients , and temperature .
Planting cantaloupe sow indoors in early spring give you a head start out on the growing season so that your melons have plenty of fourth dimension to ripen . Trellising is an excellent scheme for bring through blank .
If you see these gardening tips utilitarian , please partake this clause about how to grow cantaloupe vine from seed with your fellow green thumbs on Pinterest and Facebook .
