Plant Database / Melon plant care

Melon

Cucumis melo

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Melon is a plant which belongs to the Cucumis genus.

Related to cucumbers, squash, and pumpkins, they are an orange or green fleshed vining fruit.

There are many sub species of C. melo including true cantaloupe, musk melon (American cantaloupe), and honeydew among others.

Melon grows as an annual and is an edible fruit / vegetable. Being an annual plant, it tends to grow best over the course of a single year. Melon is known for its mound-forming habit and growing to a height of approximately 30.0 cm (11.7 inches). This plant tends to bloom in early summer, followed by first harvests in late summer. Popular varieties of Melon with home gardeners are Minnesota Midget, Heart of Gold, Hale's Best 45, Tigger, and Ambrosia Hybrid.

Be aware that Melon typically needs a fair amount of maintenance and care in order to grow successfully. Ensure that you are aware of the soil, sun, ph and water requirements for this plant and keep an eye out for pests. Pay attention to weeding, feed and pruning schedules to ensure your plant remains in peak condition.

This plant info is provided by the myfolia gardener's wiki. All details about Melon have been kindly provided by our members.

How to grow Melon

Full Sun
+
High

Cantaloupe is a heat loving tropical plant. Starting seeds indoors and choosing a variety that has a short season can help if you live in a colder climate.³ Water well until fruit is set.³

They may be grown along the ground or up a support. If grown along the ground placing the fruit on a board or pot will help keep insects from damaging it. If grown up a support a sling can be tied around the fruit and attached to the support.

Plant in a location that enjoys full sun and remember to water often. Ensure your soil is potting mix and has a ph of between 6.1 and 7.5 as Melon is a weakly acidic soil - weakly alkaline soil loving plant. Keep in mind when planting that Melon is thought of as hardy, so this plant will survive close to or on freezing temperatures.

Growing Melon from seed

Maybe started indoors or outdoors in warmer climates.

Try to aim for a seed spacing of at least 1.89 feet (58.0 cm) and sow at a depth of around 0.5 inches (1.27 cm). Soil temperature should be kept higher than 21°C / 70°F to ensure good germination.

By our calculations*, you should look at sowing Melon about 14 days before your last frost date .

Transplanting Melon

If starting indoors start 2-4 weeks before setting out. Start in a 2" pot and transplant when they have 1-2 true leaves.

Ensure that temperatures are mild and all chance of frost has passed before planting out, as Melon is a hardy plant.

By our calculations*, you should look at planting out Melon about 14 days after your last frost date.

Harvesting Melon

Unripe, uncut, cantaloupe may be stored on the counter at room temperature. Once it reaches peak ripeness it should be stored in the refrigerator. Cut cantaloupe may be stored in the fridge for 6-9 days.²

Companion plants for Melon

These plants have been known to grow well alongside Melon so consider planting:

Traditionally climbing peas or beans along with squash were planted around a few stalks of corn. The beans fixed nitrogen for the corn and the corn provided a support for the beans. The squash acted as a living mulch keeping the soil cool and moist and preventing weeds. The squash may also have deterred raccoons and other wildlife. This method is called the three sisters technique. Cantaloupe may be used in place of squash if desired.

Repellent plants for Melon

These plants will not grow well with Melon so avoid planting these within close proximity:

Common Melon problems

These problems, diseases and pests are known to affect Melon plants:

Cucumber Mosaic Virus

Cucumber Mosaic Virus (CMV) was first found in Cucumbers, hence its name - ho...

Melon Etymology

Melo, means melon. Reticulatus means netted referring to the netting of the skin.

Cantaloupe is a smooth skinned orange fruited melon. In North America it can apply to any melon with orange fruit.¹

Other names for Melon

Hami melon

Cucumis melo L.

Misspellings: Canteloupe Melon, Rock Melon, Cantelope, cantalope

Latest Melon Reviews

29 May 2013

rae's Honeydew "Orange Flesh" was Reviewed day 15

Failed to germinate. Planted 8 more seeds.

0 stars
25 Aug 2011

MoxiePepper's Melon 'Green Rocky Ford' was Reviewed day 136

Had 5 plants but none seemed to have survived, while all the other melons I planted did well.

0 stars

See all Melon reviews and experiences »

Melon care instructions

Category The lifecycle that this Melon exhibits. Annual Difficulty How easy is Melon to grow? Difficult 4/5
Lifecycle The lifecycle that this Melon exhibits. Annual Growth Habit What shape or habit does Melon grow into? Mound-Forming
Hardiness How frost hardy is Melon? Hardy Country of Origin Where did Melon come from? Help build our wiki!
Mature Height How tall does Melon grow? 30.0 cm / 11.7 inches Mature Spread How wide does Melon grow? 90.0 cm / 2.93 feet
USDA Zone Range Which zones does Melon grow best in? to pH Range The level of acidity for Melon. 6.1 - 7.5
Water Requirements How much water does Melon require? High Nitrogen Requirements How much nitrogen fertilizer does Melon need? Medium
Soil What sort of soil should I plant Melon in? Potting Mix Sun How much sunlight does Melon need to grow? Full Sun
Can Sow Direct? Can Melon be sown directly? No Sowing Depth How deep to plant Melon? 1.27 cm / 0.5 inches
Sowing Distance Apart How far apart to plant Melon? 58.0 cm / 1.89 feet Sowing Row Distance Apart How far apart to plant rows of Melon? Help build our wiki!
Ideal Germination Temperature Range What temperatures does Melon need in order to germinate? 21°C / 70°F to 32°C / 90°F Growing Temperatures What temperatures are best to grow Melon in? Help build our wiki! to Help build our wiki!
Planting Distance Apart How far apart to plant Melon seedlings. 60.0 cm / 1.95 feet Planting Row Distance Apart How far apart to plant rows of Melon seedlings. Help build our wiki!
Bloom Time When will Melon bloom? Early Summer Harvest Time When is Melon ready for harvest? Late Summer
Pruning Time When should I prune Melon? Late Summer

How long does Melon take to grow?

These estimates for how long Melon takes to sprout, grow and harvest are from real observations from real gardeners, right around the world. Start logging and journaling your observations to participate!

Days to Germination How long does it take Melon to germinate? 8 days Average 8 days | Min 1 days | Max 25 days (244)
Days to Transplant How long until I can plant out Melon? + 24 days Average 24 days | Min 4 days | Max 79 days (39)
Days to Maturity How long until Melon is ready for harvest / bloom? + 89 days Average 89 days | Min 66 days | Max 112 days (21)
Total Growing Days How long does it take to grow Melon? = 121 days

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