Canary Melon

Canary melon, also sold as Juan Canary, is a winter melon in the Inodorus group of Cucumis melo, the same group as honeydew. Winter melons have no netting, are less aromatic and store longer than cantaloupes. They are warm-season crops that need lots of sun and warmth.

When to sow. Sow outdoors after the last frost, once the soil has warmed to about 65 °F (18 °C). One seed company suggests 1 to 2 weeks after the last frost, with soil above 70 °F (21 °C). Winter melons need a growing season 2 to 4 weeks longer than cantaloupe, so transplants are recommended over direct sowing.

How to sow. Plant 4 to 6 seeds per mound, about 1 to 1½ inches (2.5 to 3.8 cm) deep, with mounds 4 feet (1.2 m) apart. Once the seedlings have two leaves, thin to two plants per mound. A seed company sows indoor seed about ¼ inch (6 mm) deep and direct-sown seed about ½ inch (1.3 cm) deep. Keep seeds at 80 to 90 °F (27 to 32 °C) until they sprout.

Transplants. Allow about 6 weeks to grow transplants, which should have 2 to 3 mature leaves. Set them 2 feet (61 cm) apart and avoid damaging the roots. Harden the plants off outdoors for a few days before planting.

Site. Choose full sun and fertile, well-drained soil with a pH of 5.5 to 7.0. Black plastic mulch warms the soil and allows earlier planting.

Watering. Water deeply but not often, about 1 to 2 inches (2.5 to 5 cm) per week, and drip irrigation is best. Cut back as the fruit ripens to improve flavor.

Mulch and feeding. Don’t put organic mulch down until the soil is warmer than 75 °F (24 °C). Once runners form, side-dress each plant with nitrogen fertilizer and water it in.

Pollination. The first flowers are male. Bees pollinate the later female flowers, which have a swelling at the base that becomes the fruit.

Watch for aphids, cucumber beetles, powdery mildew, wilt diseases and virus. Row covers can protect young plants from cold, but ventilate them above 80 °F (27 °C) and remove them when flowering starts or temperatures pass 90 °F (32 °C). Heavy rain or too much watering just before harvest can crack the fruit.

Juan Canary fruits do not separate from the vine when ripe. Instead the rind feels quite waxy and the skin turns dark yellow. Winter melons need 45 or more days from flowering to mature, depending on temperature and type. Winter melons also develop small cracks near the blossom end as they mature.

Winter melons keep much better than cantaloupe, lasting 3 to 6 weeks at 45 to 50 °F (7 to 10 °C).