How Do You Keep Cantaloupe From Rotting On The Ground?

To prevent rot, the fruit rests on gravel mulch instead of on the bare soil. Keep foliage healthy because it is the source of sugar for the fruit. As melons ripen, the leaves naturally begin to look rough.

Why is my cantaloupe rotting on the bottom?

That said, whether you’re growing cantaloupes, muskmelons or watermelons, leaving the ripening fruits on the ground can lead to rot and damage from pests such as slugs, earwigs, pill bugs and wireworms. Elevating developing melons so they don’t contact the soil solves this common problem.

How do you keep melons from rotting on the ground?

Elevate the fruit above the soil to prevent bottom rot. Use a fluffy layer of straw or wood chips under the fruit to increase airflow and reduce contact with the soil. Or try melon and squash cradles that elevate the fruit above the ground to prevent rot and promote even ripening.

Should I put straw under my cantaloupe?

Mulch not only keeps the soil warm, which these plants enjoy, but it helps retain moisture, minimizes weed growth, and keeps fruit off the soil (of course, you can set them on small pieces of board too). While many people prefer to use plastic mulch when they grow cantaloupes, you can use straw as well.

How do I add calcium to my soil?

How to Raise Calcium in Soil. Adding lime to the soil in autumn is the easiest answer to how to raise calcium in the soil. Eggshells in your compost will also add calcium to soil. Some gardeners plant eggshells along with their tomato seedlings to add calcium to soil and prevent blossom end rot.

Do cantaloupes need to climb?

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.

Should I put something under my melons?

Placing developing melons atop a bed of straw, plastic sheeting or smooth piece of wood diminishes the chance for fruit rotting when in direct contact with wet soil. Ultimately, it’s an optional step as melons won’t rot atop the ground if the soil isn’t soggy and air circulation is good.

Why are my melons rotting?

More often than not, watermelon blossom end rot occurs when water levels are fluctuating during fruit initiation. A steady supply of water is required to move calcium to these young fruits, but too much isn’t good, either – good drainage is necessary for healthy roots.

What is eating my cantaloupe at night?

Animals such as squirrels, chipmunks, deer and woodchucks enjoy puncturing and eating melon crops. Coyotes and domesticated dogs also enjoy biting into sweet melons. Raccoons and birds make holes in the tops of melons and scoop or suck juices from the fruit’s inside.

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.

What is the best month to plant cantaloupe?

spring
Cantaloupe prefers warm weather, so don’t plant it before temperatures have warmed in the spring. Cantaloupe does best when direct sown. Sow seeds outside about 2 weeks after the last frost date when soil temperatures are about 65℉.

Should I 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 many melons does a cantaloupe plant produce?

Each plant can produce anywhere from four to eight delicious melons.

What is the best way to store cantaloupe?

How to Store Cantaloupe. Let a not-quite-ready cantaloupe ripen at room temperature for up to two days (keeping it in a closed paper bag will speed up the process). Refrigerate a whole ripe melon for up to five days. For cut wedges of cantaloupe, cover the surfaces and refrigerate for up to three days.

Should uncut cantaloupe be refrigerated?

Keep whole melons like watermelon, cantaloupe and honeydew on the counter for best flavor. USDA research found that storage at room temp may even help keep the antioxidants better intact. Once cut, store in the refrigerator for 3 to 4 days.

Will powdered milk add calcium to soil?

While powdered milk will add calcium to your soil, proper care must be taken to make sure the plant can absorb and use that calcium. Regular watering and mulch around the plants (to maintain even moisture) is important.

What fertilizer is high in calcium?

Fertilizers that are high in calcium include shells (egg, clam, or oyster), lime, gypsum, wood ash, bone meal, and calcium nitrate. Some of these will affect soil pH, so keep this in mind when you apply them, and get a soil test before doing so.

Does Miracle Grow have calcium?

A: Thank you for inquiring about Miracle-Gro Shake ‘n Feed Tomato, Fruit & Vegetable Plant Food. The product contains 5.6% calcium.

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.

What is the sweetest cantaloupe?

Crenshaws also have peachy flesh, similar to a cantaloupe’s, which is juicy and sweet to taste. In fact, it is known to be one of the sweetest melons there is.

Can tomatoes and cantaloupe grow together?

Tomatoes and peppers don’t thrive with melons because melons take up so much space they crowd them out. Also, don’t plant melons next to plants that will shade them, because they need full sun.