Cantaloupe Growth Stages
Discover the Cantaloupe Growth Stages it is Known for their resemblance and similarity of taste with the melons, cantaloupes come from the same family, ‘cucurbitaceae’, which has a long list of fruits and vegetables grown on the ground surfaces, including the popular ones, the cucumber and the pumpkin.
The nutritious fruit has significant potassium, fibre, vitamins and antioxidants vital for heart health. China is the largest producer of cantaloupes worldwide, and The U.S. is the fifth largest global producer.
Just like any other plant stage, Cantaloupe plant growth stages are unique, too. However, there are dedicated farmers and kitchen gardeners diligently providing the finest soil and water levels to their cantaloupe plants. After all, melons are appreciated wherever, whenever! But how do they grow these plants, and what makes a cantaloupe sweet? Let’s dig into it!
- Read up on our comprehensive article about The Ultimate Guide to Cantaloupe plant growth stages
How does Germination work for Cantaloupe Seeds?
This process will take nearly 4-5 days, when a cantaloupe seed produces roots, indicating that the little seedling is prepared to be transplanted for the mature stage. For that purpose, it will be necessary to wash the extracted seeds from the fruit to allow the germination process to take place smoothly.
On a paper towel, the seeds will be placed at a suitable distance from each other. Once placed, the seeds will be sprinkled with an adequate amount of water for dampening. Afterwards, the paper towel will be securely placed inside a plastic bag, which ensures that the moisture does not evaporate and that the bag remains dry.
Hand-pollination with Cantaloupe Flowers
The spherical fruit can be yielded by germinating the seed ourselves, but there is one more hand-done process which can provide us with delicious cantaloupes.
Hand-pollination- a process where humans pluck a male flower with its stem, revealing the anthers of the flower and exposing the sacks that contain pollen. It is then brushed against the stigma of the female flower to stimulate the production of fruit.
Hand-pollination is useful when insects, due to their short lifespan and natural hurdles, cannot carry plenty of pollen with them to allow the female flower to turn into a fruit. However, an individual cannot completely rely on hand pollination for growing cantaloupes because of the intense labour required to grab one male flower to brush against a female one. Also, it will be necessary to have a look inside each flower to identify whether it has anthers or a stigma, which insects do not have to do.
Thus, it will require a lot of physical work. Also, plucking male flowers for female flowers will reduce potential pollen-producing flowers, hence leading to major losses (which can be covered only if a cotton swab is used to attach pollens to it).
- Read up on our comprehensive article about Harvesting and Enjoying Cantaloupe: From Garden to Table
Cantaloupe growing steps and stages
As much as cantaloupes beautify a big garden, growing melons can be challenging for those struggling with less home gardening space. But all that is needed is a spot that can have prolonged hours of sunlight throughout the day. An appropriately sized container with drainage holes will have to be filled with soil and mixed with compost. The seeds will have to be planted around 1 inch deep into the moist soil (considering that the soil is simply moist and not waterlogged).
Once the vines have outgrown the pot, a smaller utensil to support the vines will be required. Meanwhile, the provision of fertilizer and necessary hand pollination can be considered. Harvesting can take place when the plant gives off a pleasant aroma and signs of ripe melons. The early stages of cantaloupe plant growth are really admirable when observed.
Following are some Cantaloupe growing stages:
Indoor or Outdoor Cultivation?
Indoor cultivation will need a lot more hard work than outdoor cultivation. Constant temperature regulation, looking for support to the runners, finding the best spot for the container, in fact, involves a multitude of physical exercises, but outdoor cultivation will be at risk of waterlogging, salinity, pests, crows, rain and hailstorms.
Thus, it is quite uncertain to identify which place suits the best. One can grow their cantaloupes based on their need for fruits (personal), or if someone plans to move one step ahead, commercializing the cultivation could yield a good amount of rent and standard living.
Cantaloupe stages of growth and suitable method:-
The pros and cons should be evaluated accordingly to avoid future haphazard. To figure out the suitable method, a gardener can practice both ways of cultivation and experience the process. After receiving the fruit, decision-making will become easier, and there will be no possible dilemmas.
- Read up on our comprehensive article about Cantaloupe and Watermelon: Growing Tips and Differences
Cantaloupe plant stages through seeds:
Cantaloupe seeds extracted from the fruit can be reused to make another plant. Provided that the soil is organic-rich, sandy and well-drained, the fruit will be worth growing, and the sweetness will overcome all the effort. Unlike houseplants, cantaloupes require sunlight either grown via seed method or transplant method.
Considering that an individual has multiple seeds, it is advised to sow a group of 2-3 seeds in soil temperatures nearly 50°F to 60°F, under mounds which are at least 2 feet apart from each other. The seedlings will require approximately 1 to 2 inches of water on a weekly basis since too much watering could affect the sugar content of the fruit.
Once the tiny plants emerge from the mounds, only the healthy-appearing plants should be left to continue growing, whereas the ones with seemingly stunted growth should immediately be discarded to prevent them from affecting the remaining seedlings. Also, if weeds start to show, they must be pulled away as well, as each step by now should be taken for the rapid growth of the sweet delicacy.
- Watch this YouTube Video For More Guide Related to Stages Of Cantaloupe Development
Stages of cantaloupe growth through transplanting
A cantaloupe grown through the transplant method comparatively grows faster as it has overcome the sprouting stage. The transplant method prioritizes roots because the process entirely relies on the roots being healthy and stable enough to survive in the soil after being shifted from their original place.
Cantaloupes grown with this method can be harvested approximately 3-4 weeks earlier than the ones being grown through seeds. Transplants will require medium compost and, later, starter fertilizers, depending upon the variety of the plant, to yield better results.
Apart from which type of plant has been cultivated, on average, a single plant may yield as many as four fruits at one time.
- Read up on our comprehensive article about Exploring the Cantaloupe Growing Season Tips for Success
Contribution Of The Fertilizers In The Growth Of A Cantaloupe:
Depending upon the condition of the soil, a gardener must identify whether or not the soil has enough nutrients present for a strong growth of the plant. Once the transplants have been set, it is mandatory to regulate the levels of Potassium, Nitrogen and Phosphorus in the soil.
Sometimes, the cluster of the roots is unable to absorb much of the available nutrients until the vines emerge. By the time the melon grows, it requires more Nitrogen than Phosphorus and Potassium alone.
Feeding the plant Nitrogen-Potassium-Phosphorus based fertilizers aside, it is important to note that once runners have developed from the plant, and enough of the Nitrogen has been absorbed from the soil, the excessive Potassium and Phosphorus could be unhealthy for the plant. That is where side-dressing helps.
It is almost like providing your plant with side snacks to survive, although it has had enough nutritious material already!
- Read up on our comprehensive article about The Complete Guide to Cantaloupe: Facts, Growing, and Varieties
Caution! Pests Might Eat Fruit Before You Do!
Like all other crops, fruits and vegetables, cantaloupes are not safe from the attack of ruthless pests! But there are preventive measures, at least. For the first time after transplanting, the plant will be at great risk of a wave of beetles. The beetles feed on the leaves of the plant, leaving behind unhealthy residue and stunted growth, with visible effects of fungal infections such as brown spots on leaves.
It is then vital for the plant’s survival that foliar spray is taken into action. It is sprayed on the leaves of the plant rather than the soil since the bugs and the beetles feed on the leaves. Immediately killing any existing bugs on the plant, the effect of the spray avoids future pests.
For anyone who plans to grow cantaloupes for personal consumption or for selling purposes, pesticide spray is a crucial aspect in eradicating any threat to the yield.
Time To Enjoy Fruit!
Now that all the stages of growing a cantaloupe have passed, it is time to celebrate the aromatic victory! The melons are ripe, and the sweetness awaits! The sweet, fruity fragrance and yellowish-green appearance of the melon hints that the fruit is good to be cut in half and eaten chilled (or as preferred). The stem attached to the cantaloupe will appear dry, and a circle will form around the area where the stem is attached to the fruit.
FAQS
Can the growth stages and lifecycle of cantaloupe be increased?
Yes, for a longer shelf life, it is advised to keep a part of the stem attached to the fruit. However, the sweetness of the melon merely depends on the conditions provided to the seedling while it was in the process of germination and transplantation. Irrigation and soil temperatures play a major role in whether the fruit turns out to be sweet or not.
What is the Cantaloupe maturity time?
Cantaloupe may need a time period of 35-45 days to mature from flowering, depending on the temperature and variety.
How much time is taken to harvest cantaloupes?
It requires approximately 85 days to harvest the spherical fruits. One must ensure that the fruit is easier to remove from the plant and has a creamy colour in order to identify a fully ripe cantaloupe. Young cantaloupe has now turned into a fully ripe cantaloupe.
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James Porter
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