How to grow cantaloupe - Growing Cantaloupe or Honeydew Melons

Cantaloupe is referred as an orange-fleshed melon from Europe. They are popularly used in salads and desserts. They are also eaten as a raw fruit, and are favorite among people to be eaten with ice cream or custard. Cantaloupe, honey dew melons, watermelon don't require any type of pruning but it's a good practice to remove old and de-coloured leaves. Growing medium should be well drained as these plants require just the right amount of water .

There are numerous health benefits of cantaloupe; following are an extract from research papers on Cantaloupe;

“Cantaloupe is an excellent source of vitamin A on account of its concentrated beta-carotene content. Once inside the body, beta-carotene can be converted into vitamin A, so when you eat cantaloupe it's like getting both these beneficial nutrients at once. Cantaloupe is also an excellent source of vitamin C. Makes sure you include cantaloupe in your diet at least once a month.- Cantaloupe fruit health benefit by Ray Sahelian, M.D.”

“Cantaloupe is a fruit that is a good source of beta-carotene, and also a good source of potassium and Vitamin C- Cantaloupe fruit health benefit by Ray Sahelian, M.D.”

Growing tips and things to need!

Gardeners suggest that vine sometimes need to concentrate on one fruit to make it sweeter, and if sweet cantaloupe one needs, than they suggest that people growing them remove all except one growing fruit from a cantaloupe vine every 2 weeks.

· For soil- Rich composted dirt

· Trellis

· Cantaloupe seeds or plants

· Water

· Fertilizer

· Mulch

· Cans or pots (depends on preference)

· Crates

Before we move to the first step, cantaloupe growers need to prepare the ground. This is not preparation of the soil! The ground needs to hot enough to begin preparing the soil, preferably 21 Celsius.

*Tip: Cover the ground with plastic covering material if it is not hot enough, to create the perfect temperature of the ground needed.

Step 1- The soil

To prepare the soil rich compost mixture and dirt is needed. After soil is mixed, make dirt hills for planting of the seeds.

*Tip: Each hill should be at least 12 inches apart and rows should be at least 4 feet apart. Trellis needs to be about 8 feet in height and around 20 feet.

Step 2- Planting the seeds

To plant the seeds of Cantaloupe, it is important to remember to plant 5-6 Cantaloupe seeds in the middle of each hill. If you are not using seeds, but are using plants, than one Cantaloupe plants in the middle of each hill is enough.

*Tip: A form of a floating row cover can be used over the hills in order to keep them warm (which are very important) and protect them from insects.

Step 3-Water

Watering the plants and keeping the soil moist is a very crucial step. It is important to keep the soil moist when the young Cantaloupes are growing, but not to over water them so it seems water is standing.

*Tip: Just when the fruit is about to ripen, it is advised to reduce the amount of water.

Step 4- Protect the fruit

During the time of waiting, it is crucial to tend after the plant of fruit every day. Other than its water intake, protect the fruit from extreme sunshine and ground hogs.

*Tip: Place the fruit on a high ground or a pots or a big can as it grows.

Step 5- Harvest!

A ripen fruit will automatically fall from the vine, and it takes usually 4 weeks for it to come to that stage, so remember to mark your calendar!

Fertilizers

For Cantaloupe, remember to fertilize the plants with the following;

· Higher potassium

· Phosphorus fertilizer (particularly after the blossoms have opened)

· Nitrogen fertilizer (important to be used on plants that have not bloomed)

Basal Dose Per Acre

1 Bag 50 Kg (0-0-50 K2O)

2 Bag 50 Kg Diammonium phosphate or Monoammonium phosphate

1 Bag 50 Kg any nitrogen based fertilizer

At Each Fertigation :

150 Kg Fertilizer with NPK ratio 1-1-1.5 ( Higher amount of potassium.)