Melon is a tasty and healthy product that is considered a symbol of summer and relaxation. It is popular in all countries of the world, liked by adults and children. Many gardeners dream of growing a representative of melons and melons on their plot.
Most varieties are difficult to care for and do not tolerate cold weather well. It will not be easy for beginners to cope with their cultivation in the conditions of our country. Cantaloupe melon is an exception. This variety is suitable for cultivation not only in the southern but also in the central regions.
Description of the melon variety
Cantaloupe is a melon variety that is more than 2 thousand years old. Its fruits were first found in India and Guinea. Now this representative of melons is grown all over the world. It is cultivated on an industrial scale in Thailand.
Cantaloupe is also called Thai, Muscat and American melon. This variety is famous for its unpretentiousness and excellent taste.
This is interesting! Culture was brought to Europe from Asia during the Crusades. This melon became the Pope's favorite dessert. He ordered it to be grown on his estates in Cantaloupe. This is how Cantaloupe got its name.
Distinctive features of Cantaloupe
In appearance, Cantaloupe resembles a pumpkin rather than a melon. Its fruits have a thick green or yellow rind, which is covered with a brown, rough, net-like pattern. Melon pulp is juicy and aromatic, has a rich sweet taste and musky odor.
The photo shows the fruits of the variety.
Cantaloupe differs from other melon varieties in its small size. The weight of one fruit does not exceed 1500 g.
This is interesting! Melon fruits are called pumpkins.
The variety is easy to care for. It has average resistance to cold weather, so it is suitable for growing in the central and southern regions of our country.
Another positive quality of Thai melon is its immunity to diseases of melons. It does not have such high resistance to infections as more modern hybrids, but diseases rarely affect it.
Useful properties of melon
Cantaloupe melon is valued not only for its rich aroma and refreshing taste, but also for its beneficial properties.
It belongs to dietary products: per 100 g there are only 34 kcal, 0.84 g of protein, 0.19 g of fat and 7.25 g of carbohydrates.
Melon contains a huge amount of microelements. Its fruits have a number of beneficial properties:
- choline stimulates brain activity and improves memory;
- beta-carotene removes waste, toxins, free radicals and bad cholesterol from the body, improves vision and stimulates liver function, and has a positive effect on the cardiovascular system;
- zeaxanthin improves vision;
- potassium improves the condition of the cardiovascular system, normalizes blood pressure, and has a beneficial effect on the condition of the skin and hair;
- inosine stimulates hair growth, cleanses the body of bad cholesterol;
- Folic acid has a positive effect on the general condition of the body and is vital for pregnant women.
Main characteristics
Cantaloupe is an old and proven variety that has not yet lost its popularity. This is where beginning gardeners should begin their acquaintance with melons.
Description of Cantaloupe:
| Parameter | Index |
| Ground part of the plant | The stems are powerful and creeping. The root system goes deep underground and grows near the surface. The leaves are large, dark green, reminiscent of pumpkin. There are approximately equal numbers of female and male flowers on the bushes. |
| Fruit | Small size. The weight of one pumpkin varies between 1-1.5 kg, diameter - 23-25 cm. The color of the skin is greenish or yellow. There are specimens with yellow and green stripes. The crust is covered with a brown or white mesh pattern. The shape is rounded and flattened; oval fruits are rare. The pulp is tender and juicy, bright yellow, light green or white. The taste is sweet with a musky aroma. The seeds are plentiful and suitable for cultivation. |
| Ripening time | Mid-season. There are early hybrids bred on the basis of this variety. Fully ripened fruits are harvested at the end of August. |
| Yield indicators | Up to 8 pumpkins are collected from 1 bush. In this case, the fruits will be small. Agricultural rules allow you to leave 2-4 fruits on each plant |
| Transportability | Average. The hard rind allows the melon to be transported over long distances, but it can be stored for no more than 3 weeks even in a cool place |
| Growing conditions | In the southern regions it is cultivated in open ground. In the central ones - in greenhouses or under film covers. |
| Immunity | Average resistance to diseases of melons. |
This is interesting! Based on Musk Melon, breeders from the USA have grown many hybrids. Yellow cantaloupe f1 is the most popular of them.
What is Cantaloupe Melon?
Cantaloupe, or cantaloupe (Cucumis melo) is a long-climbing plant from the squash family (Cucurbitaceae), which is a close relative of watermelon, melon, cucumber, pumpkin and squash. The crop is valued for its large, sweet and healthy fruits. Cantaloupe has a ribbed, light brown skin and a sweet, musky (nutmeg) taste and aroma with notes of caramel.
The general appearance of the plant is not much different from the traditional melon. Cantaloupe vines are slightly hairy, with simple oval, typical melon-shaped leaves arranged alternately on the stem. The plant bears small yellow flowers 1.2–3 centimeters in diameter, followed by oval or round fruits 15–25 centimeters in diameter with greenish or orange flesh. Cantaloupe melon is an annual plant, but in one season its shoots can grow up to 3 meters in length.
The most likely homeland of the musk melon is East, Northeast Africa and South Asia. The ancestor of the Cantaloupe melon came to Europe in the 15th century from Armenia and eastern Turkey. And the name “cantaloupe” appeared much later - in the 18th century. According to legend, the exotic fruit was presented as a gift to the head of the Catholic Church. The dessert was very much to the taste of the Pope, and on his instructions, melon began to be grown in the papal county of Cantalupo (Cantalupo in Sabina) near Rome.
How to choose fruits when purchasing
Cantaloupe is one of the most delicious melon varieties. Unripe fruits have a watery taste and unsaturated aroma.
When buying this melon in markets and stores, you should adhere to three rules that will help check the quality of the product:
- Crust. It should not have dark spots, dents or other damage. The main shade of ripe fruits is dirty white, yellow or striped. Pumpkins are dense and hard to the touch.
- Pedicel. It should not be on ripe fruits, as in this case it is easily separated.
- Aroma. Upon sniffing a ripe Cantaloupe, the consumer will notice a sweet musky aroma. The smell is strongest at the stalk. If there is no aroma, but there is a smell of mold, such melons are not worth buying.
Types of Cantaloupe
The name "Cantaloupe" can be used to refer to two types of melons that are slightly different in taste and appearance, but have similar nutritional profiles and health benefits: the North American cantaloupe (Cucumis melo var. reticulatus) and the European cantaloupe (Cucumis melo var. cantalupensis).
Common in the United States, Mexico and parts of Canada, the skin of the North American melon has a net-like appearance and a finer, less distinct flavor. It is a round melon with firm orange and moderately sweet flesh.
The European melon is slightly ribbed, with sweet and very aromatic flesh and a grey-green skin, which is very different from the skin of the North American melon, as it does not have the characteristic netted pattern, but only small cracks.
European melon (Cucumis melo var. cantalupensis) with gray-green skin. © Lyudmila Svetlitskaya
The skin of the North American cantaloupe (Cucumis melo var. reticulatus) has a net-like appearance. © Lyudmila Svetlitskaya
How to grow this variety yourself
Melon is a heat-loving crop. The most illuminated area of the garden is chosen for it. It is better if the beds are located on a hill so that water does not accumulate in the roots of the plants.
It is important to choose the right predecessors for melon. Beds on which other melon crops (pumpkins, cucumbers, watermelons, zucchini) have been grown over the past 2 years are not suitable. Cantaloupe feels best in an area of the garden where legumes, root vegetables, nightshade and cereal plants, cabbage, and any greens previously grew.
Slightly acidic, loose and fertile soil is suitable for melon. It begins to be prepared in the fall.
The beds are dug up and cleared of plant debris. 8 kg of humus is added per 1 m². To reduce acidity, the soil is mixed with ash. To lighten the soil composition, sand is used.
In spring, the soil is dug up again and cleared of weeds. Per 1 m², add 30 g of superphosphate, 15 g of ammonium nitrate and potassium sulfate. Then they are disinfected by pouring a solution of copper sulfate.
Holes 25-30 cm wide are dug in rows. It is important to maintain a distance of at least 1 m between the recesses.
Landing
Melon is grown in seedlings and without seedlings. The first option is considered optimal, as it guarantees full ripening of the fruit before the first frost.
Whatever melon cultivation option is used, the seed treatment process will be the same. Preparation will accelerate the germination of planting material and increase plant resistance to adverse environmental factors:
- Selection of planting material. For planting, choose dense seeds with a uniform color.
- Seed dressing. To do this, they are immersed in a light pink solution of potassium permanganate for 30 minutes or in hydrogen peroxide for 15 minutes. After this, the planting material is washed under running water.
- Growth stimulation. To speed up the germination of seeds, they are soaked for a day in a special solution (Epin) or home remedies (aloe juice). The container with the seeds is placed on a radiator or in a warm place so that the liquid does not become cold.
Advice! For growing, it is better to use seeds not from last year’s harvest, but from fruits collected 2-3 years ago. Fresh planting material will produce plants with many male flowers and few ovaries.
Seedling method
Peat pots are used to grow melon. They are used only once, so they do not need disinfection.
Seedlings begin to grow in mid-April. The plants will be ready for planting in 4-5 weeks.
When preparing soil for seedlings, peat and humus are mixed in equal proportions. Add half a portion of sand and a glass of ash to the composition.
Basic growing rules:
- Plant the seeds in heated soil. To do this, it is kept for 2 days at room temperature.
- The earth is scattered into pre-prepared pots. Before planting seeds, water it with warm water.
- 2 seeds are sown in each container. They are buried 2-3 cm, sprinkled with soil, covered with film and put in a warm place until germination.
- After the first shoots appear, the film is removed and the seedlings are moved to the windowsill. It is watered as the soil dries with water at room temperature.
- During the entire period of growing seedlings, 1 fertilizing is applied. Use chicken manure diluted with water in a ratio of 1:10. For 5 liters of this composition it is recommended to add 2 tbsp. l. ash and 1 tbsp. l. superphosphate.
- A week before planting in a permanent place, it is recommended to start hardening the pumpkin. To do this, plants are taken outside during the warm part of the day.
- Before planting, pour 1 liter of water into each hole. Add 1 tbsp there. l. ash and 25 g of superphosphate.
- Plants are planted one at a time in each hole. If both seeds have sprouted in the pot, then pinch off the weak stem. When planting, the root collar is not buried, but is left to rise slightly above the surface of the earth.
After planting seedlings in open ground, the first time it is covered with film at night to protect it from frost. In the central regions, it is recommended to grow melon in a greenhouse.
Seed method
The seed method is suitable only for the southern regions. In this case, the harvest will appear much later.
Seeds are sown in open ground in the second half of May. By this time, the soil temperature should not be lower than +18 °C (measured at a depth of 15 cm).
A layer of humus or rotted manure is poured into the bottom of the prepared hole. The same layer of soil is poured on top. The layers are mixed. The rest of the space is filled with ordinary garden soil.
2 seeds are sown in each hole as far apart as possible. They are buried 5-6 cm and watered with warm water.
The crops are covered with film until germination. The film is removed daily for ventilation. When the first true leaves appear on the plants, the greenhouse is dismantled or left until flowering begins.
When the plants grow, the weaker stems are pinched. Some gardeners prefer to leave 2 plants in 1 hole at once.
Features of cultivation
Cantaloupe is planted only if it produces a large number of shoots. To obtain large and tasty fruits, it is recommended to leave 2-3 side stems on one plant.
Watering should be frequent and plentiful. Use water at room temperature. It is not poured directly under the root, but into a prepared depression near the hole. Some gardeners prefer to pour liquid into grooves dug between rows.
After each watering, the soil is loosened. During the process, the beds are cleared of weeds.
Advice! Experienced gardeners recommend mulching melon beds with rotted sawdust, peat or straw. This layer will not only protect the roots from freezing and pests, but will also slow down the growth of weeds.
During the entire growing period, the melon is fed twice. Before flowering, use nitrogen fertilizers. When flowers are formed, potassium and phosphorus are added once.
Possible difficulties
When growing melons, beginning gardeners often face a number of difficulties. The list contains the most popular:
- Leaves wither in hot weather. This means that the number of waterings needs to be increased, and in the mornings the bushes need to be sprayed with warm water.
- Few ovaries are formed. Artificial pollination will help. To do this, male flowers are applied with stamens to female ones.
- The fruits are small and ugly. Reduce the number of ovaries. 2-4 fruits are left on one plant.
My Experience Growing Cantaloupe
Our garden is located in the Voronezh region. The soil is fertile chernozem. Sowing was carried out immediately in a permanent place in the ground in mid-May. At the end of spring the weather was relatively cold, and seedlings appeared towards the end of the month. When the summer heat set in, the plants began to develop rapidly.
Most varieties (described below) could be harvested from mid-August. The summer was quite hot, which contributed to the fruits gaining a sufficient amount of sugars. Unfortunately, last season we did not have the opportunity to provide the melons with proper care, and they grew almost on their own, apart from weeding. The melons did not receive any fertilizing; they were watered only at the very beginning of growth.
Most likely, it was precisely for these reasons that we did not receive a rich harvest, but we still managed to remove at least one fruit from each bush, and some specimens, even in such conditions, pleased us with a relatively large number of fruits. Thus, the difficult growth conditions in which melons developed well and bore fruit allow us to judge cantaloupe as a rather unpretentious and hardy crop.
We harvested melons with orange pulp from mid-August to mid-September, so my fears that this was a southern melon with a very long growing season were not confirmed - the Cantaloupe melon ripened almost simultaneously with the traditional yellow one.
As for the taste, it is very difficult to describe. But it definitely didn’t look like the usual melon, and at the same time there was a distinct taste of tropical fruit (they reminded me of mango), as well as nutmeg and caramel notes. When fresh, most varieties were incredibly tasty and sweet—you literally couldn’t stop eating them. But when I tried to dry the slices in an electric dryer for the winter, I was disappointed. Due to their high juiciness, the slices shrank too much in size and began to taste and look like dried carrots. Therefore, it is better to eat Cantaloupe melon fresh or make juice from it.
Cantaloupe melon is best consumed fresh.
Diseases and pests
Cantaloupe is immune to melon and melon diseases. According to gardeners, infections rarely affect it, but it does happen.
Most often, melon suffers from root rot and powdery mildew. To avoid plant contamination, it is important to disinfect all garden tools, follow the rules of watering and crop rotation, and do not plant other melons and melons next to the pumpkin.
As a more serious preventative measure, plants are sprayed with Bordeaux mixture or a light pink solution of potassium permanganate. These remedies will also help at the very beginning of the development of diseases. Bushes that are completely damaged by infection are removed and burned.
To protect the melon from pests, its leaves are sprinkled with tobacco. It is useful to spray the above-ground part of the plant with a soap solution (1 piece of soap per bucket of water).
Cantaloupe care
- Water regularly . Musk melon requires watering. At the same time, you should not flood the plantation until standing puddles form on it. For each plant, 5 liters of water per week is enough. Watering from a watering can with warm water is carried out using the root method.
- Cover the seedlings with agro-film . To protect the developing crop from low temperatures. This will protect the seedlings from pests.
The garden must be constantly weeded, otherwise the weeds will choke the melon. Photo: tanynadacha.ru
- The beds must be weeded regularly to remove weeds. This is done once every two weeks. Otherwise, weeds will suppress cultivated plants.
Tying prevents the fruits from rotting. Photo: thumbs.dreamstime.com
- To prevent the fruits from lying on the soil and rotting, it is best to tie the melon stems. A lattice fence is well suited for this.
- A healthy crop has dark green and hard leaves. If they turn yellow or their color has changed in any way, it means the plant is sick. In this case, it must be sprayed with a fungicide.
Fertilizer allows the melon to actively develop.
Photo: fermershop.com.ua During the growing season, cantaloupe is fed three times:
- The crop is fertilized twice when the flower sets and after it blooms, this is done with nitrogenous preparations;
- the third time the plants are fed when fruit is set, this is done with phosphorus-potassium mixtures.
Fertilizing speeds up the growing season and helps the crop accumulate nutrients.
Harvesting and application
The melon harvest is harvested in late August and early September. Only fully ripe fruits are picked, since they do not ripen at home.
The maturity of Cantaloupe is determined by the following characteristics:
- the stalk is easily separated from the fruit;
- a strong musky aroma emanates from pumpkins;
- If you knock on a ripened melon, you will hear a dull sound.
Cantaloupe is consumed mainly fresh. It makes delicious candied fruits, dried chips, and jam.
How to care outdoors?
Despite the unpretentiousness of the Cantaloupe melon, they take care of it regularly so that the plant produces a good harvest.
Temporary shelter
It is necessary to cover melons from the moment the material is sown in the ground until they begin to bloom. Starting from the second ten days of May, the seeds are planted in the soil, and arched wire frames 60–70 cm high are installed on top, onto which polyethylene film and non-woven garden material (spunbel) are stretched. Another option is to install 5–6 liter plastic tanks with the bottom cut off above each hole.
History of selection
The first mention of Cantaloupe appeared more than 2 thousand years ago. Information about this plant is found in historical documents from Guinea and India. However, the culture became more widespread in Western Europe.
Today, cantaloupe is found almost all over the world. It came to Russia from Italy, where the plant is valued for its refined taste. Many varieties have spread from Italy. One of them is the Kasaba variety, which has white flesh.
Cantaloupe has become widespread due to its unpretentiousness. Fluid deficiency does not create obstacles throughout the season. Cooks often add berries to their dishes because they have a good aroma and excellent taste.
The best varieties of Cantaloupe
Iroquois
Another variety bred from an Eastern American plant. The powerful plant has long lashes and large dark green leaves. The ripening period is average. The fruits have a rough mesh on the skin, are oval in shape, and their weight reaches 1.7 kg. Keeping quality is normal, the harvest should be harvested in a timely manner so that the melons do not become overripe. It has good disease resistance;
Blondie
One of the new varieties with medium ripening periods. The plant adapts well to new climate conditions, soil composition, and moisture levels. The fruits are small, flattened or oval. Their weight does not exceed six hundred grams. The variety has good resistance to root rot;
Charente
Known all over the world. The fruits are light in weight - from six hundred grams to one kilogram. In its characteristics, Charente is similar to other melons, but the main feature is its strong and persistent aroma and spicy taste. Grown only in France, in protected soil conditions. More often it is used as an additional ingredient;
Gaul
The result of the work of Israeli breeding specialists. Externally, the variety resembles Cantaloupe. It does not make any special demands on growth conditions, tolerates high levels of humidity and dry periods equally well, and is resistant to cold. Mid-season variety with pistachio-colored pulp. The fruits are not very large. The main value lies in a good immune system and the ability to adapt to different climate conditions;
Oksana
Another hybrid. Known for its bright yellow flesh, excellent juiciness with characteristic sourness. The period of full ripening is from two to one and a half months.
Features of choice
A ripe melon or watermelon is an indispensable attribute of the approach of autumn. How to choose Cantaloupe melon so that it is ripe and juicy. Let's reveal a few subtleties that will be useful to make the right choice:
- Ripeness gives off an aroma - rich and pleasant. If the melon is odorless or smells like fresh herbs, then it is better to choose another fruit.
- The next criterion is sound. It is necessary to lightly slap the fruit with your palm; if it is ripe, the sound will be dull. A ringing sound indicates an unripe melon.
- The next secret lies in the right crust. If you press a little, it should be elastic. An overripe melon will have marks on the surface.
- Please ensure that the color of the melon shell is uniform, without pigments or extraneous spots. The tail should be slightly dry, the nose slightly soft. Cracks or other visible damage are not acceptable.
If you follow the advice very carefully, you will be able to choose a sweet and ripe fruit.
Growing and care
Place
To plant cantaloupe melon, you will need to find a separate sunny place from all other crops.
This fruit does not like drafts and wind. As a rule, the southern slope of the site is considered ideal.
The soil
The soil is preferably light, porous, neutral, cultivated. Organic fertilizer (compost, manure) for shallow digging up to 30 cm will have a positive effect.
You can plant a melon directly in the ground, or grow seedlings. If the region is cold, then it is preferable to use the second method. The fruit is planted in the soil when it warms up to 18 degrees.
Growth conditions
Cantaloupe does not require special care. Even a novice gardener can grow it. The rules for caring for all varieties of melons are the same.
Melon crops respond strongly to soil moisture levels. This is a prerequisite for full growth, especially during dry periods.
As soon as the melon is planted in the ground, it is covered when frost is likely.
Next you will need weeding and loosening the soil.
This is usually done after watering with simultaneous feeding with minerals.
When the fruit ripens, it needs to be provided with bedding to prevent damage and rotting.
During the period of active growth, melon is fertilized with nitrogen, and during flowering and fruit appearance - with phosphorus and potassium.
An important note: when the fruit ripens, watering should be limited. This is done to grow aromatic and sweet melons.
Fruit garter
Melons that are grown on a vertical trellis must be tied up. The easiest way is to put the fruits in nets and tie them to a support. Melons that ripen directly on the ground may rot. Initially, we left several shoots on the ground - the space in the greenhouse allowed, but for some reason the ovaries on the shoots turned yellow and stopped developing - perhaps they did not have enough light (this corner of the greenhouse turned out to be quite dark).
We simply placed the fruits that had set in the upper part of the plants on a reservoir of water - this turned out to be very convenient. The lashes were positioned so that the leaves did not overlap each other and were well lit.
- How to tie watermelons and pumpkins
Do you grow pumpkins or watermelons in large quantities? So, this article about supporting and staking melon crops will be useful to you!
Possible harm from consumption
Cantaloupe melon is a healthy fruit, but in some cases it can harm the body:
- People with individual intolerance are advised to refrain from introducing this product into their diet.
- Eating melon with honey leads to intestinal obstruction. Young children are especially at risk.
- The combination of cantaloupe with milk provokes dysbacteriosis and prolonged diarrhea.
- It is not advisable to eat fruit on an empty stomach to avoid increased gas formation.
- Overeating melon can cause allergic reactions, digestive problems, and diarrhea.
- You should avoid drinking alcohol with melon. The interaction of these products provokes hepatic colic, weakness, nausea, vomiting, and dizziness.
Cantaloupe is contraindicated if you have:
- diabetes mellitus – the fruit contains large amounts of sugar;
- acute or chronic pancreatitis - enzymes in cantaloupe overload the affected organs;
- kidney stones - eating melon causes them to move, which leads to severe pain and deterioration in general well-being;
- tendency to diarrhea.
Women should also refrain from consuming cantaloupe during breastfeeding, so as not to provoke allergies or diarrhea in the baby.
With moderate consumption of melon, there is no reason to fear negative consequences for the body.
Soil preparation
To get a good harvest, soil preparation must begin in the fall. In order for the heat-loving Cantaloupe melon to develop normally and the fruits to ripen on time, you will need to choose a sufficiently illuminated plot of land. The soil in the selected area should warm up well during the day. The soil must breathe; loam or sandy areas are ideal; the acid level is preferably around six. It is necessary to take into account the availability of free space where creeping shoots will grow; stems can be more than three meters.
In autumn, humus or rotted manure is added to the dug up soil. If the site has loam, then it is advisable to add river sand, this will improve the elasticity of the soil and promote better air saturation. With the onset of spring, it is necessary to dig up the ground again, to a depth of 30-35 cm, apply mineral fertilizers, and clear the roots and young shoots of weed plants. In the second half of March, before transplanting the seedlings, the prepared soil should be moistened abundantly and covered with film, this will speed up the warming of the area. The day before planting, the soil is loosened one more time with the application of nitrogen-containing fertilizers.
