However, high temperatures can also cause cantaloupes to not produce female flowers. The ideal growing range for cantaloupe is between 65-95 °F (18-35 °C). If it gets hotter than this, the cantaloupe vine might only produce male flowers.
Why is my cantaloupe plant only producing male flowers?
High temperatures or high fertility can cause the cantaloupe to produce only male blooms which results in poor fruit set. Nematodes can also cause small plants, profusion of blooms and no fruit.
Why are there no female flowers on my melon plants?
Yes, it’s normal for melons to put out all male flowers for a while before the female ones show up. Squash and cucumbers often do the same thing. Melons produce a lot of male flowers before they get around to producing female flowers. It has nothing to do with your care – the plant just needs to be more mature.
How do I pollinate my cantaloupe?
First find a male flower and carefully pluck the petals off of it, leaving just the stamen, which contains the pollen. Then find the female flower and gently take the stigma from the male flower, striking the stigma 10–15 times to release the pollen. The complete flowers are pollinated the same way.
Why are my cantaloupe plants not producing fruit?
The most likely cause of such fruit problems on squash, muskmelons (cantaloupe), cucumbers, watermelons and other cucurbit vegetables is a lack of pollination. These plants have separate male flowers (bloom attached by a small, thin stalk) and female flowers (small fruit at base of bloom).
How do you get a female melon to flower?
Hand pollination for melons with the male flower starts with carefully removing a male flower from the plant. Strip away the petals so that the stamen is left. Carefully insert the stamen into an open female flower and gently tap the stamen on the stigma (the sticky knob). Try to evenly coat the stigma with pollen.
Should you prune cantaloupe?
As mentioned, pruning cantaloupe plants isn’t absolutely necessary and, in fact, the more leaves that remain on the vine the sweeter the fruit. That said, cutting back cantaloupe plants results in fewer fruit which enables the plant to put all of its energy into a scant few, resulting in larger melons.
How long after flowers do cantaloupe appear?
Typically a cantaloupe will yield mature fruit 35 to 45 days after blossoming, according to the University of Minnesota, so time your planting to provide those 45 days while the weather is still warm.
What does cantaloupe need to grow?
Plant cantaloupe in an area with warm soil (70°F+) and plenty of sun. Cantaloupes are sprawlers, so plant them 36 to 42 inches apart in fertile, well-drained soil. Growing cantaloupes require a lot of nutrients, so it’s best to improve your soil by mixing in several inches of compost or other rich organic matter.
How many cantaloupe grow on a plant?
Unlike other varieties, the vines only spread up to three feet. Each plant can produce anywhere from four to eight delicious melons.
What is the best fertilizer for cantaloupe?
For seeded or transplanted cantaloupes, apply 100 to 150 pounds per acre of a pop-up fertilizer such as 10-34-0 to enhance early growth, especially in cool/cold soils early in the spring. Pop-up fertilizer should be banded 2 to 3 inches to the side of the row and 2 to 3 inches below the seeds or roots.
How often do you water a cantaloupe?
Cantaloupes need plenty of water, but not enough to make a soggy garden. Give your crops one to two inches of water per week, watering the soil directly to avoid wetting the leaves and promoting powdery mildew. Once fruit begins to grow, reduce your watering, as dry weather is best for sweeter melons.
Why are my cantaloupe leaves curling up?
The most popular reason for Cantaloupe plant wilting is the Cucurbit bacterial wilt disease. This disease is transferred from an infected plant to a healthy plant by striped and spotted cucumber beetles.
How do I get more female flowers?
Increase the frequency of watering your plant if you want more female flowers to grow. Pour at least 2 inches of water twice a week during the spring and summer months. Mulching is a great way to retain moisture in the soil and encourage more female squash flowering.
Do you need two cantaloupe plants?
Although not required, I like to plant them in small hills or mounds as I do with other cucurbit members. Cantaloupe plants are generally spaced about 2 feet (61 cm.) apart with rows 5 to 6 feet (1.5-2 m.) apart.
Is Epsom salt good for cantaloupe?
The cantaloupes will ripen faster and the fruit is protected from insects and rot. For sweeter watermelons and cantaloupes when the plant starts vining and again when small 1-inch melons appear, spray with 6 1/2 tablespoons Epsom salts and 3 1/2 tablespoons borax in 5 gallons of water.
How do you grow a big cantaloupe?
Plant cantaloupe seeds in full sun in well-drained soil. They’ll need about 85 days to mature, but don’t rush things. Sow seeds only when temperatures reliably stay above 50°F to 60°F. Plant in groups of two or three seeds spaced 2 feet apart.
How do you keep cantaloupe off the ground?
4 Ways to Keep Melons Off the Ground
- Use Plastic Cradles. If you’re a backyard gardener who’s just raising a few melon plants in your veggie patch, commercially made plastic melon cradles are a great way to keep melons off the ground.
- Build Platforms.
- Make Slings.
- Use PVC Pipe Platforms.
What is the life cycle of a cantaloupe plant?
The cantaloupe growth cycle is 80 to 120 days and at this stage of growth it requires warmth, soil nutrients and moisture protection. A layer of straw or chipped bark mulch is added as plants reach several inches in height and the soil warms to 75 degrees F or above.
What can you not plant with cantaloupe?
Some of the best companion plants for cantaloupes include marigolds, nasturtiums, radishes, and lettuce. Avoid planting cucumbers, watermelons or squash near cantaloupes, as they are susceptible to the same pests!
Why do cantaloupe leaves turn yellow?
Air pollution, fungicides, and de-icing salt in the soil can all cause the leaves of the cantaloupe to yellow. Yellowing caused by air pollution is generally confined to the older crown leaves, while fungicides and de-icing salts will cause yellowing along the margins of the leaves.
Marilyn Medina is a food expert with over 15 years of experience in the culinary industry. She has worked in some of the most prestigious kitchens in the world, including The Ritz-Carlton and The French Laundry.
What makes Marilyn stand out from other chefs is her unique approach to cooking. She believes that food should be accessible to everyone, regardless of their budget or dietary restrictions. Her recipes are simple, delicious, and healthy – perfect for anyone who wants to cook like a pro!