35 to 45 days.
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 long after flowering do cantaloupe appear?
Cantaloupe require 35-45 days to mature from flowering, depending on the temperature and variety. Use the following guide to determine fruit maturity. The netting gets coarse and rough, the stem breaks (slips) away from the vine easily, and the background color of the fruit turns from green to yellow (see photo).
Do cantaloupes grow from the flowers?
Cantaloupes, like other vining crops such as cucumbers, pumpkins, squash and watermelons, require pollination for fruit set. This means pollen must be transferred from the male blooms to the female blooms.
What is the life cycle of a cantaloupe plant?
About Young Cantaloupes
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.
How many cantaloupes do you get off of one plant?
Each plant can produce anywhere from four to eight delicious melons.
Why is my cantaloupe flowering but no fruit?
The most likely cause of such fruit problems on squash, muskmelons (cantaloupe), cucumbers, watermelons and other cucurbit vegetables is a lack of pollination. These plants have separate male flowers (bloom attached by a small, thin stalk) and female flowers (small fruit at base of bloom).
What months do cantaloupe grow?
These cantaloupes should be set to harvest in late June. Here in California, planting is a continuous process that takes place every 5-10 days from mid to late March through the beginning of July. Cantaloupes planted in March take 90-100 days to reach full maturity, and cantaloupes planted in June are a 75 day crop.
Should I remove cantaloupe flowers?
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.
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.
How often do you water 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.
What is the trick to growing cantaloupe?
Give cantaloupe plenty of room to grow
Thin seedlings and keep only the strongest seedling in each group. Space plants 24-36 inches apart if left to sprawl on the ground. Space plants about 12 inches apart if growing up a trellis. If using square foot gardening methods, allow 2-3 square feet for each plant.
Will cantaloupe come back every year?
A: Unfortunately, cantaloupes are an annual and will die off once the vine has finished producing its melons.
How do you know when cantaloupe is ready for harvest?
In fact, most cantaloupes are ready to be picked once they’re fully ripened, changing from green to a tan or yellowish-gray color between the netting. A ripe melon will also exhibit a sweet and pleasant aroma. One way to tell if a melon is overripe is by looking at the rind, which will appear quite yellow and soft.
What happens if you plant cantaloupe too close together?
The vines of both melons spread far and will grow wherever they can to access sunlight. Plants too close together cause unnecessary competition for light, soil moisture, and nutrients. Dense vegetation may also lead to humid conditions on the soil surface and increase the chances of fungal diseases.
Can you plant cantaloupe in the same spot every year?
1 Don’t Plant Cantaloupes in the Same Place Two Years in a Row. Not only should you avoid consistently planting cantaloupes in the same location of your garden each year, but you should also avoid planting pumpkins, squash, and any other member of the cucumber family in the same location each year.
How far do cantaloupe plants spread?
Cantaloupe plants are generally spaced about 2 feet (61 cm.) apart with rows 5 to 6 feet (1.5-2 m.)
What is the best fertilizer to use on 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.
How often should I fertilize my cantaloupe plants?
Fertilize once every two weeks with half-strength fish emulsion fertilizer when the first two or three leaves have developed on the seedlings.
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.
What do you plant after 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 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.