Container Grown Cantaloupe Care Of Cantaloupe In Pots

How many cantaloupes grow in a container?

Plant four or five cantaloupe seeds in the center of the pot about two weeks after the last average frost date in your area. Cover the seeds with about an inch (2.5 cm.) of potting soil, then water well. A thin layer of mulch, such as fine bark, will promote moisture retention.

Can you grow cantaloupe in containers?

Whatever the reason, if you think you don't have the space to grow your own sweet cantaloupe, think again. With the right care, cantaloupe can thrive in a container – even a smallish one – which means anyone, anywhere, in whatever size house or garden, can enjoy its sweet deliciousness.

What's 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.

How do you keep cantaloupe from rotting?

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.

How many cantaloupes does a plant produce?

If you're interested in growing cantaloupes, you must be prepared and know how many cantaloupes per plant you will get every harvest. One plant can produce up to 8 cantaloupes, but it depends on your area's cantaloupe variety and conditions.

How long do cantaloupe vines get?

Vines will spread up to 72 inches and grow 15-18 inches tall. With just a touch of ribbing and a thin, netted rind, this is a classic cultivar to suit those of us who adore super-sweet melons. Plus, they're resistant to one of cantaloupe's most prolific diseases: powdery mildew.

Can cantaloupe be grown vertically?

Growing cantaloupes vertically allows gardeners with even the smallest garden area to enjoy the fruits of their labor. ... It's nearly impossible but it's easy to weed beneath trellised cantaloupes. So don't let the size of a melon patch deter you. Grow trellised cantaloupes and take advantage of that vertical space.

Do cantaloupes need full sun?

Plant cantaloupes in full sun in well-drained soil. Cantaloupe plants need about 85 days to mature, but don't rush planting. Sow seeds only when temperatures reliably stay above 50 to 60 degrees F. ... Cantaloupes need about 1 to 2 inches of water per week.

What is the best time to plant cantaloupe?

The cantaloupe or muskmelon is a tender, warm-weather plant. Cantaloupes grow best in very warm to hot weather. Sow cantaloupe (muskmelon) seed in the garden or set out transplants 3 to 4 weeks after the last average frost date in spring.

How long can you keep an uncut cantaloupe?

A whole, uncut cantaloupe or honeydew melon should last for seven to 10 days in the refrigerator. A whole, uncut watermelon is even sturdier: It should be good for two weeks. The picture gets somewhat bleaker once you've sliced into your fruit.

Can I freeze fresh cantaloupe?

Can you freeze cantaloupe? Yes, to freeze: (1) Cut cantaloupe melon in half and remove seeds and rind; (2) Slice or cube melon, or cut into balls; (3) Place in covered airtight containers or heavy-duty freezer bags.

How long is cantaloupe good for on the counter?

Melon that isn't eaten should be peeled, covered and refrigerated. But toss any that's been kept out at room temperature for longer than 2 hours, or 1 hour when the temperatures are over 90 degrees F. All of these food-safety practices should also be followed when using melons grown in a garden.

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 I protect my cantaloupe from bugs?

Easy Ways to Keep Melons Pest Free

Soil Preparation. Proper soil preparation is an important aspect of keeping melons free of cutworms and other pests. ...
Planting. To keep leafminers, beet armyworms, and field crickets away, avoid planting melons in weedy areas and locations near alfalfa, cotton, and sudangrass. ...
Weed Control. ...
Mulches. ...
Crop Maintenance.

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. ... Assuming there are both male and female blooms on the plant, a lack of fruit may be due to a lack of bees working the flowers to transfer pollen.

How do you prune a cantaloupe plant?

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.

How often do you water a cantaloupe plant?

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 temperature do cantaloupe grow in?

The Romans learned to grow cantaloupes from the Egyptians. Cantaloupes are named after the Roman town of Cantalupo, Italy. Like all melons, cantaloupes need high temperatures, germinating only when soil temperatures reach 60 to 65°F and ripening best when air temperature is between 75 and 95°F.

What can you not plant with cantaloupe?

Cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower, carrots, kale, okra, spinach, sunflowers, lettuce, and Brussels sprouts also flourish in the companionship of melons. Avoid planting melons with potatoes. Marigolds – Adding a splash of brilliant color, marigolds are “great neighbors” to most any vegetable crop, especially melons.

What does a ripe cantaloupe look like?

How to Tell If a Cantaloupe Is Ripe. Look it over: The overall color of the rind should be beige, sandy gold, or creamy yellow—but not green (green indicates unripe). The webbing should appear as strong, raised ridges. ... The yellowish spot can indicate that the melon is ripe.