How to grow cantaloupes from seed to harvest?
This article will show you how to grow cantaloupes from seed to harvest. So if you like cantaloupes, read this article.
Cantaloupes are heat-loving and delicious melons. They are suitable for southern gardeners because they have a long growing season. Here is how to grow cantaloupes from seed to harvest.
What is a cantaloupe?
To realize how to grow cantaloupes from seed to harvest, we must first know cantaloupes. Cantaloupe is a kind of melon that has a tan-green rind. Typically, its rind has a spiderweb-like pattern. However, some of them may be striped. Inside a cantaloupe, there is bright orange and sweet flesh. The growing stages of cantaloupes are just like other popular melons like honeydew melons and watermelons.
The right time for planting cantaloupes
For planting cantaloupes, you can start from seed or buy young plants. If you are located in colder regions, it is recommended to start with young plants for planting cantaloupes. This way you can have a head start on the growing season.
Planting cantaloupes using seed
If you are located in colder places, consider starting seeds indoors 4 to 6 weeks before the last spring frost date. You should not transplant cantaloupe vines if the danger of frosting is still there. Besides, soil temperatures must be above 60°F (16°C).
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In case you are located in a warmer climate, you can direct sow seeds outdoors. The soil temperature will be at least 60°F (16°C).
Preparing a planting site
Cantaloupes can grow perfectly in well-draining soil. It is considered a mix between sandy and sandy. You should find a spot that gets a lot of light. To have the best melons, you must provide all the light they need. Moreover, with the afternoon sun, the risk of fungal and other diseases will be reduced.
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Good drainage is possible by growing the plants in raised rows which are known as “hills”. It is good to mulch the planting site with black plastic because it has a lot of advantages: It keeps the soil warm ahead of planting, keeps developing fruits clean, and prevents weed growth.
Planting cantaloupes
The seeds must be planted 18 inches apart, 1-inch-deep, and 3 feet apart in hills.
If the place is limited, you can use a trellis to support vines.
How to grow cantaloupes?
If there are not enough nutrients in the soil, consider fertilizing with a standard liquid fertilizer as vines start growing and spreading. Then, avoid using nitrogen-heavy fertilizers, this is because too much nitrogen leads to lots of foliage and less fruit.
Another important factor is watering. 1 to 2 inches per square foot of water per week is needed by plants to grow, bloom, and produce fruit. Consider watering them in the morning, but remember not to wet the leaves. This is because wet foliage produces fungal and other diseases. When the fruits are growing, you must reduce the watering.
You must know the fact that male and female flowers grow separately on the same plant. Male flowers will be produced sooner than females.
Pollination is required by melon flowers to be able to set fruit. So consider being kind to the bees.
How to harvest cantaloupes?
The time when rinds start changing from green to tan or yellow, the melon is ready to be picked. You must pick the melon at the right time. The melon must be harvested when vines are dry. After harvesting, melons get softer but not sweeter. Cantaloupe lasts about 3 days in the refrigerator. Consider wrapping it tightly in plastic.
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