Cantaloupe seeds need soaked clean water (room temperature, 20-26 C) for 12 hours. Then immediately seeded in place of exposed to direct sunlight, next planted and cared for.
Which seeds should be soaked before planting?
By soaking the seed, it enables the new growth from the inside to push through the hard shell and grow. The seeds that could benefit from a good soaking include: corn, pumpkin, beans, chard, beets, and peas. The seeds you shouldn’t soak include: carrots, lettuce, radish, celery, turnips, and spinach.
How do you germinate a cantaloupe seed?
To sow outdoors, plant three seeds in 1/2-inch-deep holes, 18-24 inches apart. Keep them evenly moist until germination. Once seedlings have two sets of true leaves, thin them so that there’s only one plant every 18-24 inches.
What month do you plant cantaloupe seeds?
spring
When planting cantaloupe, wait until the threat of frost has passed and the soil has warmed in spring. You can either sow seeds directly in the garden or in flats inside (do this well before their initial planting outdoors), or you can use transplants purchased from reputable nurseries or garden centers.
Can you start cantaloupe seeds indoors?
Sowing Seed Indoors:
Direct sowing is recommended, but to get a head start you can grow cantaloupe indoors 3-4 weeks before the last frost in individual biodegradable pots indoors. Sow 2-3 seeds per pot. Sow seeds ½ inches deep in seed-starting formula. Keep the soil moist at 70 degrees F.
Do melon seeds have to dry before planting?
Fresh cantaloupe seeds need to be dried and properly stored for future sowing. Spread the seeds on a sheet of newspaper or paper towels and set them in a warm, airy place to dry. To prevent mold and mildew growth on the seeds, stir them every day to ensure the whole seed is exposed to circulating air.
Does soaking seeds speed up germination?
Soaking seeds before planting helps you to break down the seed’s natural defenses against what it expects from Mother Nature, which then allows it to germinate faster.
Is vinegar good for seed germination?
No, seeds will not germinate in vinegar. Vinegar is an aqueous solution of acetic acid, which has inhibition of impact on seed germination.
How long do cantaloupe seeds take to germinate?
How long do cantaloupe seeds take to germinate? In warm soil (above 75°F), cantaloupe seeds will pop up quickly—within 3-5 days. In cooler soils, it might take as long as a week to 10 days before they germinate.
How deep do you plant cantaloupe seeds?
Sow seeds 1 inch deep in rows, or in hills spaced 6 feet apart. After 2 weeks, thin to 2 plants per hill. To prevent insect problems and encourage early growth, cover seedlings with row cover (fleece) tunnels until they begin to bloom.
When should I start melon seeds indoors?
Start melon seeds indoors before transplanting to your garden outside. Sow seed indoors at the end of April, about 2 to 4 weeks before the last spring frost date. Use peat pots or other biodegradable containers that you can place directly into garden soils. Use larger pots than you would for other vegetables.
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!
Can you plant seeds from a store bought cantaloupe?
In order to grow seeds from a store-bought melon, it’s essential the seeds are harvested, cleaned, and stored properly. In addition, many grocery store melons were picked before they were ripe, which can result in immature seeds that won’t germinate.
Can you plant watermelon and cantaloupe together?
No, you shouldn’t plant watermelon and cantaloupe vines close to one another because of the space requirements and shared pest and disease concerns, but you can plant them in a larger bed in different areas with good cultural practices.
How do you grow a big cantaloupe?
Space plants 36 to 42 inches apart. Or, to save space, plant melons 12 inches apart at the base of a trellis. When trellising melons, tie vines to the trellis daily, using soft plant ties that won’t crush stems. A trellis for cantaloupe should be large: up to 8 feet tall and 20 feet wide in warmest climates.
When should I fertilize my 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.
Will cantaloupe climb a trellis?
The good news is that with a pinch of creativity and a dash of careful setup, anyone can train cantaloupe to grow vertically on a trellis of nearly any type. So don’t shy away from growing these delicious melons (Cucumis melo var. reticulatus), which you can learn more about in our growing guide.
Do cantaloupes need full sun?
Cantaloupe Planting Basics
Plant cantaloupe seeds in full sun in well-drained soil. They’ll need about 85 days to mature, but don’t rush things.
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.
Can you plant seeds right out of the fruit?
What about taking the seed from the fruit and planting it to grow out into a tree for their garden? Unfortunately, fruit trees do not grow out from seeds in the fruit. If you collect seed from a plant, the seeds will produce plants that will be a hybrid of two plants.
What seeds should you not soak?
Avoid soaking small seeds such as lettuce, radish, and so on. Germination of these species often doesn’t need a lot of help, and wet seeds are much more difficult to handle, leading to over-sowing and waste. Lastly, tropical native plants like chillies need a long growing season to ripen their fruit.
Justin Shelton is a professional cook. He’s been in the industry for over 10 years, and he loves nothing more than creating delicious dishes for others to enjoy. Justin has worked in some of the best kitchens in the country, and he’s always looking for new challenges and ways to improve his craft. When he’s not cooking, Justin enjoys spending time with his wife and son. He loves exploring new restaurants and trying out different cuisines.