It features three- to five-pound, orange-fleshed oval fruits with a sweet flavor. The vines grow up to six feet long and fruits are ready to harvest after 80 to 85 days.
How big do musk melons get?
Types of Muskmelon, Cantaloupe
Ambrosia Hybrid, 86 days, produces thick, firm fruit about 61/2 inches in size. Sweet ‘n’ Early Hybrid, 75 days, is an early variety that is good for short seasons. Burpee Hybrid, 82 days, produces deep orange, firm fruit.
How much space do you need to grow muskmelon?
Melons need room to roam. 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.
When should I pick my musk melon?
The fruit of the muskmelon or cantaloupe is mature when the stem slips easily from the melon with slight pressure. The melon is not ripe if the stem has to be forcibly separated from the fruit. Other indicators of maturity are based on touch, appearance and aroma.
Is musk melon a climber?
Like all melons, muskmelons are annual vines that require a long warm growing season. They have hairy trailing stems with clasping tendrils and bear round to lobed leaves. The yellow unisexual flowers produce large fruits, which give off a sweet odour when ripe.
How long does muskmelon take to mature?
65-90 days
Quick Reference Growing Guide
| Plant Type: | Annual | Water Needs: |
|---|---|---|
| Exposure: | Full sun | Soil Drainage: |
| Time to Maturity: | 65-90 days | Companion Planting: |
| Spacing: | 2-3 feet | Avoid Planting With: |
| Planting Depth: | Seeds: 1/2 inch | Family: |
How do you take care of a musk melon?
Muskmelon Growing Guide
- Cucurbits (Squash family) ●
- Rich soil with plenty of compost added.
- Full sun.
- No.
- After plants set fruit, feed twice, at two week intervals, with a water soluble plant food.
- Sow seeds 1 inch deep in rows, or in hills spaced 6 feet apart.
How many melons can one plant produce?
To grow them successfully you need to provide them with warmth, water and food. They can be quite vigorous, so regular pruning is needed to keep them under control. Each plant should produce two to four melons.
Can you grow melons in raised beds?
When growing melons in raised beds, trellising is a good way to save space. There are a few bush melons, but most are vining types. If you grow your melons up a trellis, use strips of fabric or plastic mesh netting to support the developing fruit and prevent it from coming off the vine before it is ripe.
Can you grow melons in pots?
While you can grow full-size melons in containers, you’ll get the best results with dwarf cultivars that produce smaller fruits and shorter vines.
How do you tell if a muskmelon is ripe on the vine?
The netting of the fruit changes from green to a creamy yellowish tan. Another way to tell is to take your thumb and press on the ‘button’ on the blossom end, opposite where the stem of the vine is attached to the melon. If the button is rock hard, it’s not ripe. If there’s a little bit of give, your melon is ripening.
Do muskmelon ripen after being picked?
Once picked, melons no longer get sweeter or tastier, so it is worth seeking ones out that ripened fully on the vine. As with most fruit, melons are picked before they fully ripen to give them more time and durability for transportation to grocery stores.
What does a ripe muskmelon look like?
In most cases, when cantaloupes and muskmelons are ripe, they detach themselves from the vine, leaving a dish-shaped scar on the fruit where the stem was attached. The fruit will also develop a sweet, musky aroma when ripe.
Can dogs eat muskmelon?
Yes, the tasty melon is safe for pups to eat in moderation and can be a healthy alternative to traditional treats, especially if your dog is overweight. Even the seeds are harmless, but you should avoid feeding them to your dog intentionally, as they can be a choking hazard.
How do you prune a muskmelon?
Using pruning shears, cut lateral vines that grow from the primary up to the eighth leaf node. Take care not to damage the main stem when cutting back the cantaloupe plants. Leave 1-2 lateral vines untouched. Once the melons begin to form, remove all but a single fruit per vine.
Which muskmelon is sweetest?
7 Sweetest Cantaloupe Varieties to Grow (& How to Get Seeds)
| Cantaloupe Variety | Brix (sugar %) | Days to Maturity |
|---|---|---|
| Sugar Cube | 11-14% | 80 days |
| Honey Rock | 13.1% | 80 to 85 days |
| El Gordo | 10-16% | 75 to 85 days |
| Hannah’s Choice | 12-14% | 75 to 85 days |
What month do you plant melons?
spring
Plant melon seeds 1 week to 10 days before the last spring frost date. Watermelon and honeydew are more cold-sensitive than cantaloupe. Melons will not all ripen at the same time, so plan to pick them as they become ready.
How do you keep melons off the ground?
Use a cage, plastic mulch, stakes, straw mulch or other materials to protect the fruit from the ground. You can even use a wooden board for the fruit to rest on as it matures.
Should you prune melon plants?
Pruning watermelons promotes healthier vines and increases fruit size. Look for irregular or rotting fruit to prune from the plant. Removing the less than perfect melons will enable the plant to focus energy towards growing bigger, healthier, juicier melons.
In what season does muskmelon grow?
Season To Grow Muskmelon
Muskmelon is usually grown from late Novembers to late February and some off-season varieties are also grown by our Indian farmers.
Is muskmelon good for diabetes?
04/1110 Best fruits for diabetics
Melons: Water melon, muskmelon or honeydew; pick any melon as it is rich in vitamin B and C, as well as beta-carotene, potassium and lycopene. A slice of any of these melons will give you the necessary vitamins you need.
Elvira Bowen is a food expert who has dedicated her life to understanding the science of cooking. She has worked in some of the world’s most prestigious kitchens, and has published several cookbooks that have become bestsellers. Elvira is known for her creative approach to cuisine, and her passion for teaching others about the culinary arts.