Full Answer
What cantaloupes can do for your health?
How to eat more cantaloupe
- It's super hydrating. When it comes to fruits with high water content, watermelon (surprise!) takes top billing—but cantaloupe isn't far behind. ...
- It has antioxidant power. Antioxidants (i.e. ...
- It could help you have a healthier pregnancy. ...
- It has a whole day's worth of vitamin C. ...
- It's a good source of potassium. ...
- It keeps your eyes healthy. ...
Does cantaloupe need full sun?
Like most melons, cantaloupes require full sun in addition to warm temperatures. Lack of sunlight will slow down growth to a great extent, and result in an inferior crop. In addition to choosing a sunny location, you can increase soil temperature by mulching the soil with black plastic.
Why is my cantaloupe not sweet?
Why can't I grow good tasting cantaloupes?
- Ravenlost. Two years ago I grew big beautiful cantaloupes that tasted nasty. ...
- Guest. I don't know, but I've been buying these cantaloupes at the supermarket called ambrosia something-or-other.
- Ravenlost. I have only had ONE good cantaloupe this year and it came from Wal Mart!!!
- Callieslamb. ...
- Allen W. ...
- Guest. ...
- T-Bone 369. ...
- Ravenlost. ...
- Allen W. ...
- Randy Rooster. ...
How to grow cantaloupe as big as your head?
- A sturdy tomato cage
- A fence
- A trellis
- Bamboo hoops
- Two sturdy poles with twine strung between them
- Zip ties and wire fencing
See more
What countries grow cantaloupes?
Production. In 2016, global production of melons, including cantaloupes, totaled 31.2 million tons, with China accounting for 51% of the world total (15.9 million tons). Other significant countries growing cantaloupe were Turkey, Iran, Egypt, and India producing 1 to 1.9 million tons, respectively.
Where are cantaloupes found?
In the U.S., California is the largest producer of cantaloupes producing almost three times as much as Arizona, the second largest producing state. Other states with significant amounts of production include Georgia, southern Indiana, and eastern Colorado (Fig 1).
What country grows the best cantaloupe?
ChinaProduction Trends of Top 10 Producers of CantaloupeCountryProduction %1Global2China48.62%3Turkey6.06%8 more rows
Where do melons grow in the world?
Melons are part of the Cucurbitaceae family. Officially they are a vegetable, but they are more often classified as a fruit. Originating in Africa and the Middle East, melons are now produced globally, mostly in hot, sunny climates, including Southern and Eastern Europe.
What country is cantaloupe native to?
Cantaloupe has been growing since ancient times in the Nile River Valley in Egypt. It likely first originated in the Middle East or India, but ancient Egyptians and Romans are known to have grown the melon. Cantaloupe was introduced to Europe in the 15th century and became a popular fruit due to its sweetness.
What is cantaloupe called in Australia?
rock melon➢ Cantaloupe is called rock melon in Australia.
What country has the best melon?
ChinaMelons Production#97 CountriesMetric Tons1#1 China13,541,452.002#2 Turkey1,777,059.003#3 India1,266,000.004#4 Kazakhstan1,041,153.0046 more rows
What country produces the most melon?
ChinaChina is the largest melon producer in the world with 13,541,452 tonnes production per year. Turkey comes second with 1,777,059 tonnes yearly production. China and Turkey produce together more than 50 % of world's total melon. With 1,266,000 tonnes of production per year, India is the third largest producer of melon.
Which is the sweetest melon?
Due to their similar taste and texture, they can be used interchangeably in most recipes. However, honeydew is slightly sweeter with a firm, green flesh, while cantaloupe has softer, orange flesh.
Do watermelons grow in Europe?
Africa, Europe and North America have similar productions, around 3-4 million annual tons. By countries, the main producer is China, meaning 60% of the total production. It is followed by Turkey, Iran, the United States and Egypt. The following table shows the 10 countries with larger watermelon cultivation.
Do watermelons grow in Germany?
Contrary to popular belief, that melons only grow in subtropical areas, many types of watermelons are actually cultivated and harvested in Germany. Among German water melons are breeds like Anguria Janosik, Blacktail Mountain, and Early Moonbeam.
Can you grow melons in the UK?
Melons are tender plants, so need a warm, sunny spot with high humidity. In the UK it is best to grow in a glasshouse, polytunnel or under a cloche or in a coldframe. Melons need a fertile, moisture-retentive and well-drained soil.
Where did cantaloupe originate?
Etymology and origin. The name cantaloupe was derived in the 18th century via French cantaloup from Italian Cantalupo, which was formerly a papal county seat near Rome, after the fruit was introduced there from Armenia. It was first mentioned in English literature in 1739.
What is the color of cantaloupe?
The European cantaloupe, C. melo var. cantalupensis, is lightly ribbed with a sweet and flavorful flesh and a gray-green skin that looks quite different from that of the North American cantaloupe.
How much does a cantaloupe weigh?
Cantaloupes range in weight from 0.5 to 5 kilograms (1 to 11 lb). Originally, cantaloupe referred only to the non-netted, orange-fleshed melons of Europe, but today may refer to any orange-fleshed melon of the C. melo species.
What is a rockmelon?
The cantaloupe, rockmelon (Australia and New Zealand), sweet melon, or spanspek (South Africa) is a melon that is a variety of the muskmelon species ( Cucumis melo) from the family Cucurbitaceae . Cantaloupes range in weight from 0.5 to 5 kilograms (1 to 11 lb).
How long can you keep cantaloupe after cutting?
The fruit should be refrigerated after cutting it and consumed in less than three days to prevent risk of Salmonella or other bacterial pathogens. A moldy cantaloupe in a Peoria, Illinois, market in 1943 was found to contain the highest yielding strain of mold for penicillin production, after a worldwide search.
What is the nutritional value of cantaloupe?
Fresh cantaloupe is a rich source (20% or more of the Daily Value or DV) of vitamin C (44% DV) and vitamin A (21% DV), with other nutrients in negligible amounts (less than 10% DV) ( table).
Is cantaloupe a fruit?
Cantaloupe is normally eaten as a fresh fruit, as a salad, or as a dessert with ice cream or custard. Melon pieces wrapped in prosciutto are a familiar antipasto. The seeds are edible and may be dried for use as a snack.
What kind of soil do cantaloupes like?
Cantaloupes do best in well-draining soil that’s a mix between loamy and sandy. Plant in a spot that gets full sun. To produce the best melons, the plants need all the light they can get. Plus, afternoon sun will dry off leaves, reducing the risk of fungal and other diseases that come with wet foliage.
What Is a Cantaloupe?
Cantaloupes are a type of melon with a tan-green rind. Typically, the rind is covered in a spiderweb-like pattern, though some varieties may also be striped. Inside, the flesh is bright orange and sweet. Their growing requirements are similar to that of other popular melons, such as watermelons and honeydew melons.
How long can you keep cantaloupe uncut?
Melons will soften after harvesting, but will not continue to sweeten off the vine. Cantaloupe can be stored uncut for 5 or 6 days.
How to tell when cantaloupe is ripe?
Be careful not to pick too early, however. Look for a crack in the stem where it attaches to the fruit. This is a sign of ripeness as well.
How long can cantaloupe be stored?
Cantaloupe can be stored uncut for 5 or 6 days. If cut, they can last in the refrigerator for about 3 days, wrapped tightly in plastic.
Can you start cantaloupe from seed?
Cantaloupes may be started from seed or purchased as young plants. In colder regions, starting with young plants is recommended, as it will give you a head start on the growing season.
Can you transplant cantaloupe?
Cantaloupe vines are very tender and should not be transplanted until all danger of frost has passed and soil temperatures remain above 60°F (16°C). If you live in a warmer climate, you may direct sow seeds outdoors as soon as the soil temperature warms to at least 60°F (16°C).
What zone do cantaloupes grow in?
Growing Zones. Cantaloupe will grow in zones 4-11, with a bit of extra care and attention required in colder zones, since fruit flavor depends mostly on watering and warm temperatures.
What is the sweetest cantaloupe?
Ambrosia: One of the sweetest cantaloupe varieties. Minnesota Midget: This is the variety I grew, and if it hadn’t been for those pesky squirrels, it would have been well worth the effort. This variety matures in about 75 days, which is quick for melon. The fruits are small and extremely sweet.
How to get cantaloupe to turn into fruit?
Water regularly until you start to notice flowers turning into melons. Cantaloupes need plenty of water to set fruit. Once you see actual melons beginning to grow, cut back on watering. Water too much while your melons grow and you’ll likely get bland-tasting fruit.
Why do melon grow in mounds?
Why? This method of planting prevents water from pooling in one location and rotting the roots of the plant. The mounds also help retain heat, which melons love .
Why is my cantaloupe plant getting mildew?
It sounds like your cantaloupe plant has contracted powdery mildew. It’s a common infection caused by a fungus. It’s not the end of the world, though. Avoid watering from above and remove affected foliage.
What is a sugar cube cantaloupe?
It’s an excellent variety for northern climates like mine. Sugar cube: Produces smallish cantaloupes with deep orange flesh and dense netting on the rind. Tasty Bites: An adorable mini cantaloupe variety that produces round or oval fruits weighing at most 2.5 lbs.
How long do melon last on the counter?
Picking melons at the correct time is vital since they don’t ripen sitting on the countertop. A freshly picked melon will last about a week sitting out on the counter. It’s best to cut it right before eating since cut melon spoils quicker. Now it’s time to get growing.
How long does it take for cantaloupe to grow?
Cantaloupes, also known as muskmelons, are available in dozens of cultivated and heirloom varieties, and grow best in hot weather, at least 2-3 months of consistent warmth. Cantaloupes love very sandy and loamy soil with good drainage, and a pH of around 6.
How to grow cantaloupe indoors?
If you started your cantaloupe indoors, plant your biodegradable pot in the middle of each mound, as close to the center as possible.
Why are my cantaloupe vines not setting?
A lack of pollinating insects can result in healthy-looking vines that never set. Cantaloupe vines produce male and female flowers, and pollination between them is necessary for fruiting. If you're growing cantaloupe in a greenhouse, or live somewhere that bees are scarce, you might need to pollenate by hand.
Why do you cover cantaloupe before planting?
If you want, it's common to cover the ground of your plot with plastic film or weed matting prior to planting, to speed the warming process of the soil. It's important to plant cantaloupe starts in warm soil to promote healthy growth. ...
What is the best cantaloupe?
There are hundreds of varieties of cantaloupe to choose from, but the classic Hale's Best, a popular melon with old-time growers, is one of the best.
When do cantaloupe leaves wilt?
It's typical for melon leaves to wilt significantly in the midday and stay wilted looking until the evening in extremely hot weather . This isn't necessarily a sign that you need to water the cantaloupe more, however, so look at the quality of the leaves, not the limpness.
What does leaf tunnels mean?
Leaf tunnels and trails mean leaf miners, which isn't something to worry about. They shouldn't affect the fruit significantly.
Overview
Production
In 2016, global production of melons, including cantaloupes, totaled 31.2 million tons, with China accounting for 51% of the world total (15.9 million tons). Other significant countries growing cantaloupe were Turkey, Iran, Egypt, and India producing 1 to 1.9 million tons, respectively.
California grows 75% of the cantaloupes in the US.
Etymology and origin
The name cantaloupe was derived in the 18th century via French cantaloup from The Cantus Region of Italian Cantalupo, which was formerly a papal county seat near Rome, after the fruit was introduced there from Armenia. It was first mentioned in English literature in 1739. The cantaloupe most likely originated in a region from South Asia to Africa. It was later introduced to Europe, and around 1890, became a commercial crop in the United States.
Types
The European cantaloupe, C. melo var. cantalupensis, is lightly ribbed with a sweet and flavorful flesh and a gray-green skin that looks quite different from that of the North American cantaloupe.
The North American cantaloupe, C. melo var. reticulatus, common in the United States, Mexico, and some parts of Canada, is a different variety of C. melo, a m…
Consumption
Cantaloupe is normally eaten as a fresh fruit, as a salad, or as a dessert with ice cream or custard. Melon pieces wrapped in prosciutto are a familiar antipasto. The seeds are edible and may be dried for use as a snack.
Because the surface of a cantaloupe can contain harmful bacteria—in particular, Salmonella —it is recommended that a melon be washed and scrubbed thoroughly before cutting and consumptio…
See also
• Melon
External links
• Media related to Cucumis melo cantaloupe group at Wikimedia Commons
• Sorting Cucumis names– Multilingual multiscript plant name database