How to grow Cantaloupe
Home Grown Cantaloupe and Muskmelon
By Abigal Gordon
Cantaloupe a/k/a cantalope refers to two varieties of Muskmelon. Both of which are Cucurbits along with watermelons, squash and cucumbers. Like all melons, cantaloupes grow best in sandy, well-aerated, well-watered soil that is free of encroaching weeds.
Cantaloupe are a source of polyphenol antioxidants, which are known to provide health benefits to the cardiovascular and immune systems. These antioxidants promote the formation of nitric oxide, a key chemical in the prevention of heart attacks.
Melons for the Passionate Grower
... "There's more to the world of melons than just the cantaloupe and honeydew, but this may not be true for long: many varieties are "on the brink of extinction," according to cultivator and collector Goldman. This handsome volume documents unusual types of melon like the Collective Farm Woman (originally from Ukraine) and the serpent-shaped Snake melon with lavish color photos and playful descriptions. Goldman also instructs readers on how to pollinate, grow and harvest these plants; includes a list of commercial sources.." Publishers Weekly
...
"There's more to the world of melons than just the cantaloupe and
honeydew, but this may not be true for long: many varieties are "on
the brink of extinction," according to cultivator and collector
Goldman. This handsome volume documents unusual types of melon like
the Collective Farm Woman (originally from Ukraine) and the
serpent-shaped Snake melon with lavish color photos and playful
descriptions. Goldman also instructs readers on how to pollinate,
grow and harvest these plants; includes a list of commercial
sources.." Publishers Weekly
Cantaloupe is a warm-season crop and should not be planted until all danger of frost has passed. The ideal climate for growing cantaloupe consists of a long, frost-free season with plenty of sunshine and heat, and relatively low humidity. USDA Zones 4 -10 are suitable for cantaloupe and muskmelon .
Planting should commence in the spring, when the soil temperature is 65 to 85 degrees Fahrenheit. Soil should be turned with the previous crop residues buried at least two to three weeks prior to planting. This will allow sufficient time for these residues to decompose.
Plant seeds about 1 inch deep. Sow about 3 to 6 seeds per foot. Your rows should be approximately 50 to 70 inches apart. After emergence, thin down to about 1 plant every foot.
After the seedlings have developed their third set of leaves they should be thinned to three plants per hill. Remove weeds as they grow, and hoe lightly to avoid disturbing the shallow root system of the plant.
Layer the ground around the plants with Mulch to cut back on weed growth, increase soil moisture, and keep the soil continuously warm.
Some growers prefer to use transplants from as a way of obtaining early melons. When growing transplants, seed 2 to 4 weeks ahead of transplanting date. Commercial potting mixes work well since the growing medium must be sterile and drain freely. The diameter of transplant containers can range between 1.5 to 4 inches, with 3 inches being optimum for early production.
Pollination : Many Gardeners sometimes wonder why the earliest Melon blossoms do not set fruit. The first flowers developing on the vines are male or pollen-bearing flowers. Only the female flowers are capable of developing into fruit.
Watering
Irrigation prior to and after planting should be applied to ensure seed germination and emergence Drip irrigation provides the plants with a more uniform application of water, placing it near the root zone and using less water. Drip irrigation also minimizes the amount of foliage and fruit disease compared with overhead irrigation . Drip Irrigation does not interfere with honeybees and subsequent pollination and fertilization. Inexpensive drip systemsare available.
For larger plantings - Drip systems can be easily adapted for the injection of fertilizer. This allows plant nutrients to be supplied to the field as needed.
Fertilizing
When setting out transplants, apply a common starter solution
The optimal Soil pH range is 5.5 -7.0. See Soil pH for more extensive information.
Many cultivars produce excessive vine growth. Pruning the vines is necessary only if the melons are to be trellised, optional otherwise. Pruning is performed to achieve a balance between vine growth and fruit set, it increases fruit weight while reducing the number of undesirable melons.
Melon vines produce a primary stem with many secondary branches [laterals]. A suitable pruning treatment for cantaloupes and muskmelons is to retain the primary stem and one of the first laterals while pruning all additional laterals up to and including the 6 -7th leaf node. All secondary branches after the eighth node can be left unpruned on the plant. This method of pruning permits the vine to be easily trellised either by a net trellis or by using strings and vine clips
Common Canteloupe Varieties
The following are my personal favorites, you of course may prefer to scan any of the many online nurseries and seed catalogs.
Traditional Varieties Novelty Varieties Honey Rock Cantaloupe Plant produces sweet deep salmon flesh cantaloupes. This plant produces 5 to 7 cantaloupes which are incredibly sweet. Perfect for backyard home gardens . 82 days.
Hales Jumbo Cantaloupe
Heirloom melon known for sweet, juicy flavor.
Cantaloupe 'Park's Whopper' Hybrid 77 days from setting out transplants or 91 days for direct sow. Now you can grow enormous 6- to 8-pound melons with great flesh firmness and a juicy-sweet taste -
Cantaloupe Ambrosia Hybrid
Salmon-Red Extra-Sweet that Everybody Loves! Small seed cavity means even more juicy-tender flesh! 86 days from setting out transplants or 100 days for direct sow.
Japanese Netted Melon It is round and weighs over 3 pounds. The outer skin is green color with a fine net. The thick and juicy green flesh has a brix sweetness of over 16%. Its sugar content will continue to rise regardless of the weather
Common Pests
Aphids: Generally, aphids are green and are less mobile than leafhoppers. They feed on the undersides of the youngest leaves and on tender shoots [Image]. Aphids reproduce very rapidly and can literally cover stems and leaves. The sap loss is a concern when the plants are young— the first three years. Most aphids can be controlled by ladybugs and other natural enemies. [Insecticides kill these natural enemies along with the pests.]
Pickleworm [Image] A tropical insect which routinely survives the winter only in deep southern regions of the United States and further south (adios amigo) North Carolina and South Carolina are regular hosts of the pickleworm, but often this usually doesn't occur until early Autumn. It takes some time for the varmints to hitch a ride north. [Pickleworm Moth - Image]. Pyrethrin is effective against Pickleworms.
Seed Corn Maggot [Images] populations vary greatly depending on environmental conditions , take precautions prior to planting to keep damage from this insect to a minimum. Otherwise, this critter will probably not be detected until seeds and seedlings are lost.
Plant in a seedbed only deep enough for adequate soil moisture.
Spider Mites are a close relatives of spiders and ticks. Several species are plant pests. They are also commonly known as red spiders Most are about the size of the period following this sentence . Adult mites have four pairs of legs and no antennae. They use a pair of needle-like stylets to rupture leaf cells when they feed . Because they are nearly microscopic and difficult to see, spider mite problems are often misdiagnosed . Several commercial miticidesCucumber Beetles There are two different forms of this pest. The striped form [Image] , and it's cousin the spotted cucumber beetle [Image] (A/K/A southern corn rootworm) is basically identical except that it features a dozen black spots instead of stripes. (Another well-known family member is the corn rootworm.) BioNeem
Sharpshooter Natural Insecticide
Hot Pepper Wax
repels bugs. 100% natural spray uses pepper extract and wax to effectively discourage pests.
See Pest Control for more extensive data
Diseases of Cantaloupe and Muskmelons
Alternaria Leaf Spot
Causes serious damage under long periods of wet weather. The occurrence of this disease is sporadic but can be devastating if left unchecked.
The disease causes tiny brown spots that enlarge on the leaves, causing a target spot with concentric rings. Older lesions will develop a dark color in the concentric pattern . The dark color is caused by spore production, which can cause new infection sites if no protective measures are taken.
Most fungicides will suppress Alternaria leaf spot. No resistant cultivars are available.
Anthracnose
The anthracnose fungus causes dark brown, oval sunken areas or spots on stems. It also causes the crown to rot, which causes young leaves to wilt. The fungus can be carried on apparently healthy plants. Therefore, be sure to use healthy certified plants for transplanting. Avoiding excess moisture during the summer will help decrease the severity of this disease. Anthracnose cannot be adequately by fungicides. [Image]
Stem Blight
A Fungus which causes rapid wilt with browning or reddening of leaves on individual branches, often followed by death of the entire plant as the fungus spreads to the plant base. Most infections can be traced to a wound as the initial point of infection.
Powdery Mildew
During mid-summer foliage is covered by a web-like fungus growth called mycelium. As a result, leaves become puckered . In late summer, circular reddish-brown spots 1/8 to 1/4 inch in diameter appear on the top and underside of the leaves. Conidiophores grow from the mycelium and spread the disease throughout the field. During the late summer and autumn, small round black fruiting bodies [cleistothecia] 1/32 to1/16 inch in diameter develop on the surface of the fungal growth on the leaves. The cleistothecia are a means of over wintering by the fungus. All cultivars are susceptible to powdery mildew. Jersey cultivar is the most susceptible. [Image]
Cantaloupes are usually harvested at what is known as "three- quarters-" to "full slip."
At three-quarters slip, cantaloupes will slip easily from their stem. Smaller fruits should be pinched off the stem as the season closes to encourage the ripening of the larger fruits. The growing points of all the vines should also be pinched off at this time. one-fourth of the stem usually adheres and breaks rather than slipping free.
To avoid over-ripening, harvest cantaloupes before they naturally separate from the vine. The best way to check maturity of cantaloupes is to place your thumb beside the stem and gently apply pressure to the side. If the stem separates easily, the cantaloupe is ripe.
Cantaloupes mature in 80 to 110 days depending on the variety and growing conditions. Sugar content is the primary measure of maturity and quality. Sugar content does not increase once the melon has been removed from the vine.
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Rodale's Garden Problem Solver : Vegetables, Fruits, and Herbs
How to Grow Cantaloupe
are available. 
Plant produces sweet deep salmon flesh cantaloupes. This
plant produces 5 to 7 cantaloupes which are incredibly sweet. Perfect
for backyard home gardens . 82 days.
Heirloom melon known for sweet, juicy flavor. 
It is round and weighs over 3 pounds. The outer skin is green
color with a fine net. The thick and juicy green flesh has a brix
sweetness of over 16%. Its sugar content will continue to rise
regardless of the weather