about 80 to 90 days.
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.
How long does it take a cantaloupe from seed to mature?
about 85 days
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.
How many cantaloupes does a plant produce?
Each plant can produce anywhere from four to eight delicious melons.
How many cantaloupes will one seed produce?
Cantaloupes are some of the most popular fruits eaten across the United States during the summer season. One plant can produce up to 8 cantaloupes, but this depends on the area your fruit is growing, the growing conditions, and variety.
How long after flowering do cantaloupes appear?
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.
Should I pinch off cantaloupe flowers?
Avoid pinching off shoots because an abundance of healthy leaves will produce sweeter fruit. For best flavor, leave the largest fruit growing on the vine and pinch off any young fruits that begin to form.
Should I trim my cantaloupe plant?
As mentioned, pruning cantaloupe plants isn’t absolutely necessary and, in fact, the more leaves that remain on the vine the sweeter the fruit. That said, cutting back cantaloupe plants results in fewer fruit which enables the plant to put all of its energy into a scant few, resulting in larger melons.
What month is best 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.
How often do you water a cantaloupe plant?
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.
When should I fertilize my cantaloupe?
3. Fertilize. When your cantaloupe plants have started to grow (at least four inches), apply a well-balanced fertilizer.
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. Growing cantaloupe plants occupy a fair bit of space, so be sure to leave enough room for the vines to spread out.
What can you not plant with cantaloupe?
Some of the best companion plants for cantaloupes include marigolds, nasturtiums, radishes, and lettuce. Avoid planting cucumbers, watermelons or squash near cantaloupes, as they are susceptible to the same pests!
How do you grow a big cantaloupe?
How do I grow cantaloupe from seeds?
- About four weeks before the last frost date, sow seeds into sterile seed starting mix in large seedling pots, large soil blocks, or in seedlings trays with large openings—cantaloupe seedlings grow large quickly!
- Keep the seedlings evenly watered and very warm!
How can you tell if a cantaloupe is pollinated?
It’s fairly easy to tell the difference between male and female cantaloupe flowers: females have a small bulge beneath the flower, which will turn into a melon once pollinated. Female flowers have a short stigma, while male flowers have a long stamen.
Do cantaloupe come back every year?
A: Unfortunately, cantaloupes are an annual and will die off once the vine has finished producing its melons.
How can you tell if a cantaloupe flower is male or female?
The male flower on the cantaloupe plant has an open stalk in the center of the flower called a stamen. The stamen is where the pollen resides. The female flower on the cantaloupe plant will be on the top of a very small melon. It will have a knob called a stigma inside.
What’s the best fertilizer for watermelons and cantaloupes?
Choosing the best fertilizer for watermelon is the key to a quality harvest.
- BEST OVERALL: Dr.
- BEST BANG FOR THE BUCK: Espoma Garden Tone 3-4-4 Plant Food.
- PREMIUM PICK: Organic Plant Magic Super Premium Plant Food.
- BEST ORGANIC: Jobe’s Organics Granular Fertilizer.
- BEST LIQUID: Neptune’s Harvest Hydrolyzed Fish Fertilizer.
Can watermelon and cantaloupe be grown together?
No, you shouldn’t plant watermelon and cantaloupe vines close to one another because of the space requirements and shared pest and disease concerns, but you can plant them in a larger bed in different areas with good cultural practices.
Will cantaloupe climb a trellis?
The good news is that with a pinch of creativity and a dash of careful setup, anyone can train cantaloupe to grow vertically on a trellis of nearly any type. So don’t shy away from growing these delicious melons (Cucumis melo var. reticulatus), which you can learn more about in our growing guide.
How do you know when a melon is done growing?
The spot where the fruit touches the ground becomes more prominent and changes color (typically yellow). The tendril closest to the fruit becomes brown and dries up. Ripe melons have a hollow, dull sound. The sheen of the rind tends to change slightly with maturity, but this is variety dependent.
Do cantaloupe fall off the vine when ripe?
In most cases, when cantaloupes and muskmelons are ripe, they detach themselves from the vine, leaving a dish-shaped scar on the fruit where the stem was attached. The fruit will also develop a sweet, musky aroma when ripe.