Cantaloupe (Muskmelon) Production
- Marketing. Fresh-market cantaloupes are produced in Pennsylvania from the end of June to the end of September. ...
- Production Considerations. Cantaloupes grow best on soils that hold water well and have good drainage. ...
- Environmental Regulations. ...
- Risk Management. ...
- Sample Budget. ...
- Initial Resource Requirements
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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. ...
Where are cantaloupes grown mostly in the US?
The full list is as follows:
- Cantaloupe
- Rock melon
- Muskmelon
- Mushmelon
- Sweet melon
- Spanspek
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
How many cantaloupes will one plant produce?
One plant can produce up to 8 cantaloupes, but this depends on the area your fruit is growing, the growing conditions, and variety. Let’s get a little deeper into the number of fruits you can get from your plants. How Long Do Cantaloupes Plant Produce?
See more
Where are cantaloupes grown in the United States?
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).
Where does cantaloupe grow best?
Other states that produce cantaloupe commercially in limited volume include Texas, Colorado, Indiana, Illinois, Pennsylvania, and Maryland. In our opinion, of course, the best place to grow cantaloupe is sunny California.
Where are melons grown in the US?
Ideal growing conditions for melons include a long, warm frost-free season. Thus, the primary commercial producers of all U.S. melons are found in the southern portion of the country including California, Arizona, Texas, Georgia and Florida.
Where are California cantaloupes grown?
California has two primary cantaloupe (or muskmel- on; Cucumis melo L.) production areas: the southern desert valleys in Imperial and Riverside Counties and the San Joaquin Valley (Fresno, Kern, Kings, Merced, and Stanislaus Counties).
Are cantaloupes good for you?
The fiber, potassium, and vitamin C present in cantaloupe are vital nutrients for your heart health. Potassium can help to lower high blood pressure, which is a risk factor for heart disease. Fiber helps to decrease levels of “bad cholesterol” in your body. It can also keep your blood pressure in check.
Can you grow cantaloupe in North Carolina?
Cantaloupe and honeydew are warm-season crops that grow best at average air temperatures between 65 and 75 °F. It is best to plant when the soil temperature is at least 60 to 65 °F. These melons are very tender and should be planted after the last chance of frost....Planting.AreaSpringSummerCoastalMar 10 – Apr 10—2 more rows•Aug 5, 2016
Which US state produces the most cantaloupe?
CaliforniaThe largest producing States are California (58 percent) and Arizona (26 percent). The United States imports over one-third of the cantaloupes consumed in the country.
What US state grows the most watermelons?
FloridaNearly 80 percent of all U.S. watermelon production hails from four States—Florida, Georgia, Texas and California. Florida surpasses all other States as the main supplier of U.S. watermelons, accounting for total production of 907 million pounds, or 25 percent of domestic supplies in 2019.
Do cantaloupes grow in NJ?
"Jersey is not really known as a cantaloupe state. But the local climate and soil lends itself to growing a pretty good melon," said Gary Stecher of G&G Stecher in Swedesboro, who grows about 30 acres of melons for the wholesale trade, including area farm markets.
Why is there a cantaloupe shortage?
We're not expecting a shortage of cantaloupe. Expect to see plenty in your stores for the next several months. But supplies will be tighter and that, in and of itself, will drive prices up. But the biggest factor in anticipated price hikes for food is shipping costs.
What are the best months to buy cantaloupe?
From June through August, cantaloupes are at their peak of flavor. Along with tasting great, they're an excellent source of vitamin A, beta-carotene and vitamin C. Whether you enjoy them sliced, cubed or halved, cantaloupes are a refreshing, healthy addition to salads, desserts, beverages and more.
Do cantaloupes grow in the wild?
So, yes, it's CUCUMIS MELO, the melon, of which any number of tasty and variously looking cultivars have been developed. Also I read that melon vines do indeed sometimes "go wild," especially in tropical and semi-tropical environments, and even in the Americas, though the original stock seems to have been from Asia.
What climate do cantaloupes grow in?
Cantaloupe and honeydew melons thrive in warm soil. Don't plant until the ground temperature is above 70 degrees F, which typically occurs about the time peonies bloom in northern zones. Prior to planting, cover soil with plastic film to hasten soil warming.
What is the best month to plant cantaloupe?
springCantaloupe 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℉.
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.
Is cantaloupe easy to grow?
Cantaloupes (aka rockmelons, sweet melons, and spanspeks) are an easy growing specialty melon that can be direct sown after all danger of frost, or started indoors 3-4 weeks before setting out. Growing cantaloupe plants occupy a fair bit of space, so be sure to leave enough room for the vines to spread out.
Where do cantaloupes grow best?
If you want to grow your own cantaloupes, here’s where they do best: in hot, humid climates with rich, fertile soil that drains well. In these cond...
Do cantaloupe plants need full sun?
They need full sun or can they be planted in a smaller container under the sunniest window sill. The best way to start a new plant is to have it in...
Do cantaloupe plants climb?
They can be trained to grow in a vine up a trellis. The problem with the cantaloupe, though, is that it needs a lot of space for its fruit to ripen...
What is the best month to plant cantaloupe?
Plant cantaloupes in early spring, before the soil warms up too much. 1. If possible, plant them in a greenhouse or hoop house until the weather ge...
Are cantaloupe easy to grow?
Cantaloupe are a great addition to any garden. But they can be quite difficult to grow. I have been growing cantaloupes for years and every year my...
Where Does Cantaloupe Grow?
Cantaloupes are best grown in areas that have warm soil of up to 70 degrees F and plenty of sun. The sun is what sweetens this fruit.
Do You Want To Grow Cantaloupe? Know-How To Do It Here
Cantaloupe loves a sunny location with well-draining soils rich in organic matter. Amend your soil with compost before planting. These two conditions will cause the fruit to thrive happily.
Harvesting Cantaloupe
Cantaloupe once grown must be harvested at the right time. They continue to soften once picked but won’t get any sweeter than they were when you harvested them. Leaving it on the vine for as long as possible gives you a sweeter taste. However, you must know how long is too long. To know when to harvest check out some of these signs.
What is the fourth most common foodborne illness?
In the United States, during the period between 1998 and 2018, cantaloupes were the fourth most common produce item to cause foodborne illness, after leafy greens, sprouts, and tomatoes (respectively), although cantaloupes were consumed in lower quantities.
How are cantaloupes harvested?
Cantaloupes are harvested by hand, typically during what is known as the three-quarters to full-slip stage , when melons are mature/ripe, with a more golden appearance, when sugar levels are highest, and when the fruit begins to easily separate from the stem with a twist or pull. Over a 10–14 day period, fields are harvested 8 to 10 times. If pathogens are present during this time, they can become attached to the cantaloupe rind, particularly where the stem was removed (the stem scar).
How many people died from cantaloupe in 2011?
In 2011, the contamination of fresh, whole cantaloupes resulted in a multi-state outbreak of listeriosis and resulted in 147 illnesses and 33 deaths. An environmental assessment conducted after the outbreak concluded suggests that the combination of available nutrients on the rind, increased rind water activity, and insufficient cooling to remove field heat before cold storage created an ideal environment for the growth of Listeria
Why do cantaloupes have a ground spot?
The presence of a ground spot increases the risk for microbial growth and pathogen contamination.
How many calories are in cantaloupe?
Cantaloupes are a low-calorie (27 calories per 1/2 cup serving), nutrient-dense fruit. They are a rich source of vitamin A (β-carotene), vitamin C, potassium, folic acid, and the micronutrients copper, iron, and zinc. Cantaloupe is naturally low in sodium and contains some dietary fiber and calcium.
What type of soil is best for cantaloupe?
Sandy soils are used for the earliest plantings because they warm more rapidly in the spring, while loam and clay loam soils are preferred for main-season production due to greater water-holding capacity, which favors a prolonged harvest period. Most cantaloupes are direct seeded, in a single seed line per bed.
What is Rocky Ford cantaloupe?
Many consider Rocky Ford cantaloupes to be some of the best. They are known for their quality and sweetness, which is the result of the seed used and the type of soil in the region —a sandy loam or clay-loam soil—as well as certain production practices used.
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).
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.
Is a cantaloupe a synonym for a melon?
cantalupensis Naudin. Cucumis melo var. reticulatus Naudin. 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 .
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.
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.
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. Cantaloupes vs. Muskmelons.
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.
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.
Why do my muskmelon vines taste bland?
If your muskmelons taste bland, the trouble could be a lack of magnesium in sandy soil. Sweeten the fruit by spraying the vines with this solution: Dissolve 6 ½ tablespoons of Epsom salts and 3 ⅓ tablespoons of borax in 5 gallons of water.
What to do before planting fruit?
Amend soil with aged manure or compost before planting. (Learn more about soil amendments and preparing soil for planting .) Mulching the planting site with black plastic will serve multiple purposes: it will warm the soil ahead of planting, hinder weed growth, and keep developing fruits clean.
How to keep fruit plants moist?
If possible, use drip irrigation to keep plants consistently and evenly watered. Mulching around the plants can help to retain moisture. Reduce watering once fruits are growing.
Cultivation and Care
It is important to ensure consistent watering for your cantaloupe fruits to thrive.
Popular Cantaloupe Varieties
There are a number of varieties of cantaloupe you can grow in your garden.
Pest and Disease Prevention
The best way to prevent pests and diseases is by carefully scouting your plant for insects like cucumber beetles and aphids, clearing the area of weeds that may host viruses and/or insects, removing diseased leaves, and plant material, and planting disease-resistant varieties.
Plant Uses
Often served as a sweet fruit, cantaloupe is a delicious addition to any meal, especially when it’s hot!
Frequently Asked Questions
Unfortunately, cantaloupe does not ripen much once picked. It will soften, but not sweeten. This is why you may have encountered some very flavorless cantaloupe when you’ve purchased from the grocery store in the past.
Final Thoughts
If you’re looking for a relatively easy melon to grow in your new garden, why not try your hand at growing cantaloupe? These vining plants are simple to grow as long as you provide them with sandy or light well-draining soil and lots of sun!
Key Facts
Introduction
- Cantaloupes (scientific name: Cucumis melo L. cantaloupe) are part of the Cucurbitaceae plant family and are also commonly referred to as muskmelon (Cucumis melo). However, these are different plants scientifically and have different characteristics. Cantaloupes are characterized by a hard, non-netted and rough-warty rind, while muskmelons are characterized by having a nette…
Foodborne Outbreaks and Recalls
- In the United States, during the period between 1998 and 2018, cantaloupes were the fourth most common produce item to cause foodborne illness, after leafy greens, sprouts, and tomatoes (respectively), although cantaloupes were consumed in lower quantities. Between 2000 and 2020, at least 45 cantaloupe-associated outbreaks were reported to CDC’s National Outbreak Reportin…
Production
- Worldwide, the United States is the 8thlargest producer of cantaloupes/other melons. Nearly 14 million pounds of cantaloupes were produced in the U.S. in 2017, reaching a production value of over $260 million. However, both the harvested area and weight production of cantaloupe has decreased from 1992 to 2017—from 109,400 to 57,050 acres and 1.8 to...
Food Safety
- Unfortunately, the physical characteristics of their rind and flesh make cantaloupes susceptible to pathogen contamination and growth. Cantaloupe consumption has been associated with many outbreaks in the last few decades, with 43 reported from 1998–2018. As contamination can arise from soil, water, equipment, animals, or humans, and can occur at any phase of production(grow…
Consumption
- Over the past 40 years, global trade providing fruit year-round and healthy-eating initiatives have increased the consumption of fresh produce in America. Melon consumption has also increased with the introduction of sweeter seedless and hybrid varieties. Cantaloupe, like most melons, is typically sliced and served with the rind on or removed from the rind. Since 2003, cantaloupe co…
Nutrition
- Cantaloupes are a low-calorie (27 calories per 1/2 cup serving), nutrient-dense fruit. They are a rich source of vitamin A (β-carotene), vitamin C, potassium, folic acid, and the micronutrients copper, iron, and zinc. Cantaloupe is naturally low in sodium and contains some dietary fiber and calcium.
References
- Bartolo M. Colorado State University Extension: Arkansas Valley Research Center 2009 Reports [Internet]. 2012 Jan. Available from: http://col.st/1bdxQJY
- Bartolo M. Colorado Agricultural Experiment Station 1997 Annual Report [Internet]. [cited 2013 Jul 17]. Available from: http://col.st/1bdxymn
- Blinn P. Development of the Rockyford Cantaloupe Industry. [Internet]. 1906. Available from: …
- Bartolo M. Colorado State University Extension: Arkansas Valley Research Center 2009 Reports [Internet]. 2012 Jan. Available from: http://col.st/1bdxQJY
- Bartolo M. Colorado Agricultural Experiment Station 1997 Annual Report [Internet]. [cited 2013 Jul 17]. Available from: http://col.st/1bdxymn
- Blinn P. Development of the Rockyford Cantaloupe Industry. [Internet]. 1906. Available from: http://col.st/1bdydUZ
- Blinn PK. Early cantaloupes. Vol. 95. Agricultural Experiment Station of the Agricultural College of Colorado; 1904.
Overview
The cantaloupe, rockmelon (Australia and New Zealand, although cantaloupe is used in some states of Australia), sweet melon, or spanspek (Southern 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). Originally, ca…
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…
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.
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.
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