Cantaloupe

Cantaloupe is a warm-season annual vine in the cucumber family. The name is used loosely: cantaloupe often refers to melons with smooth or ribbed rinds, while muskmelon usually means netted, musky-smelling melons, and the two terms are often used interchangeably. In the United States, cantaloupe has become the general name for netted, musk-scented melons. The vines climb when given support, or trail along the ground if you have the room.

Start seeds indoors four to six weeks before the average last frost date, or sow seed outdoors after the last frost. Plant when the soil has warmed to at least 60 to 65 °F (16 to 18 °C). Germinating seed needs warmth, so keep it at 80 to 90 °F (27 to 32 °C) until it sprouts. Seed can be sown directly in the garden, or transplants can be grown for an early start, which can be harvested as much as two weeks sooner. Sowing depth advice differs: about ½ inch (1.3 cm) deep for direct sowing, ½ to ¾ inch (1.3 to 1.9 cm) deep, or 1 inch (2.5 cm) deep. Space plants about 18 to 24 inches (46 to 61 cm) apart in rows that are 6 to 8 feet (1.8 to 2.4 m) apart. Black plastic mulch warms the soil faster in spring and helps conserve moisture and control weeds.

Give the plants full sun, at least 6 hours of direct sun a day. In dry weather, apply 1 to 2 inches (2.5 to 5 cm) of water every 7 to 10 days, and keep the soil consistently moist from germination through harvest. If you use overhead watering, do it in the morning so leaves can dry before dark. Too much nitrogen fertilizer can produce lots of vine and little fruit, so feed carefully. Fruit set depends on bees carrying pollen to the female flowers.

Poorly formed or too few fruits are often caused by poor bee pollination. Blossom end rot comes from inadequate calcium in the plant, which can be linked to low soil pH or irregular watering. Manganese toxicity is linked to soil pH at or below 5.8, and shows up on older leaves near harvest, especially after heavy rain. Cucumber beetles and aphids are the most noticeable insects, mostly during the seedling and early growth stages. Powdery mildew, downy mildew, gummy stem blight and anthracnose can affect the plants. Do not plant melons or similar crops in the same spot for at least three years.

Most cantaloupe varieties need about 30 to 35 days from fruit pollination to harvest. Pick when the stem separates completely from the fruit, which is called full slip. If the stem has to be forced off, the melon is not ripe yet.

A muskmelon can be stored in the refrigerator for up to two weeks, at an optimum temperature of 36 to 45 °F (2 to 7 °C). Place it in a plastic bag first so its aroma does not flavor other stored food.

A pet-safety database lists cantaloupe as non-toxic to cats and dogs. Another reference warns that bitter fruit can be toxic to pets, so keep bitter fruit away from them. For people, avoid eating the seeds, because a sprouting seed produces a toxic substance in its embryo.