- Thwarting bugs from reaching your melons in the first place is just as much a part of organic gardening as natural killing methods.
- A spray made from kaolin clay is another effective, nonchemical repellant, as is a homemade spray water spray infused with chopped garlic or chili peppers.
What causes holes in cantaloupe?
When finding holes in the melons growing in your garden, the most likely culprits are large animals and wildlife. Some insect pests, such as the cabbage root maggot fly, are capable of tunneling into melon fruits; however, most insects are not capable of penetrating the melon’s thick outer skin.
What do you put under cantaloupe?
Mulch not only keeps the soil warm, which these plants enjoy, but it helps retain moisture, minimizes weed growth, and keeps fruit off the soil (of course, you can set them on small pieces of board too). While many people prefer to use plastic mulch when they grow cantaloupes, you can use straw as well.
What is eating the leaves on my cantaloupe plant?
Monitor cantaloupe crops for common chewing pests such as cucumber beetles. Look for shiny, yellow-green beetles that display spotted or striped bodies and black heads. Search for these 1/4-inch-long pests as they chew on leaves and fruit.
How do you keep cantaloupe from rotting on the vine?
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.
How many cantaloupes will one plant produce?
Each plant can produce anywhere from four to eight delicious melons.
How do I get rid of aphids on my melons?
Commercial horticultural oil can also be used. White oil, soap and horticultural oil sprays work by blocking the breathing holes of insects causing suffocation and death. Spray the undersides of leaves; the oils must contact the insects. A second application of soap or oils may be necessary after 3-4 weeks.
How do you make cantaloupe sweeter when growing?
8 Tips for Growing The Sweetest Melons
- Start with the Sweetest Varieties.
- Sow Seeds Early.
- Find Your Warmest Microclimate.
- Accentuate the Sun’s Rays.
- Don’t Crowd Your Melons.
- Sweetness Starts in the Soil.
- Water Heavily – But not During Ripening.
- Pick at the Pinnacle of Ripeness.
Should cantaloupe vines be pruned?
Try to avoid pruning your cantaloupe vines unless you absolutely have to. If you’ve provided plenty of space for them to grow, the only times you should need to prune are when there is pest or disease damage to remove. If you can manage it, only allow one fruit per stem, and no more than 5-6 per plant in total.
Do cantaloupes need a lot of water?
Water cantaloupe deeply and infrequently, 1-2 inches per week. Use drip irrigation if possible. Mulch around the plants will help conserve soil moisture and reduce weed growth. Irrigate so that moisture goes deeply into the soil.
What kind of bugs eat cantaloupe plants?
Invertebrates
- Aphids.
- Armyworms.
- Crickets.
- Cucumber beetles.
- Cutworms.
- Darkling beetles.
- Driedfruit beetles.
- Earwigs.
What is a good fertilizer for cantaloupe?
For seeded or transplanted cantaloupes, apply 100 to 150 pounds per acre of a pop-up fertilizer such as 10-34-0 to enhance early growth, especially in cool/cold soils early in the spring. Pop-up fertilizer should be banded 2 to 3 inches to the side of the row and 2 to 3 inches below the seeds or roots.
Why are the leaves on my cantaloupe plant turning yellow?
The most common cause of yellowing cantaloupe leaves is overwatering. When the plant’s soil is saturated with water, it cannot receive as much oxygen as it needs. The roots will become ineffective at absorbing water and nutrients from the soil, and thus the plant’s ability to produce chlorophyll is impaired.
How do you grow a big cantaloupe?
Plant cantaloupe seeds in full sun in well-drained soil. They’ll need about 85 days to mature, but don’t rush things. Sow seeds only when temperatures reliably stay above 50°F to 60°F. Plant in groups of two or three seeds spaced 2 feet apart.
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.
What’s the best month to plant cantaloupe?
Cantaloupe does best when direct sown. 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.
What is the sweetest cantaloupe?
The sweetest cantaloupe varieties are ‘Charentais’ and ‘Sugar Cube’. The scrumptious sweetness and smooth dense texture of these French-style melons will rival any dessert.
Do banana peels keep aphids away?
Yes, banana peels can keep aphids away from your garden. The strong smell of a banana peel is often enough to deter aphids. Surround the base of your affected plants with strips of banana peel.
What is the best home remedy for aphids?
Remove aphids by hand by spraying water or knocking them into a bucket of soapy water. Control with natural or organic sprays like a soap-and-water mixture, neem oil, or essential oils. Employ natural predators like ladybugs, green lacewings, and birds.
What is the best aphid killer?
If insecticides are needed, insecticidal soaps and oils are the best choices for most situations. Oils may include petroleum-based horticultural oils or plant-derived oils such as neem or canola oil. These products kill primarily by smothering the aphid, so thorough coverage of infested foliage is required.
Is cantaloupe good for diabetics?
Cantaloupe Health Benefits
The high amount of liquid content gives cantaloupes a low glycemic load score of 4. That means your body digests it slowly and it won’t make your blood sugar spike. So it’s a great pick for people with diabetes.