By Jennifer Poindexter
I do n’t recognize about you , but I lie with to grow unparalleled crops in my garden . Not only does it spice things up a bit as far as what I grow , but I enjoy a smorgasbord of tone as well .
If you ’re look for a different fruit to grow , consider growing the banana melon vine . Its growing requirements are n’t much unlike than most other melons .
However , if you ’re doubting whether you could rise this industrial plant successfully or if you ’ve never heard of it before , you ’re in the correct place . Let me walk you through the staple of what you should understand to set forth this flora on the right-hand foot .
Here ’s what you should have intercourse when learning how to grow banana melons :
Growing Conditions for Banana Melons
Before we dive into what a banana melon needs to uprise successfully , you may be wondering what makes banana melon vine special .
It ’s the fact that this melon is banana tree - shaped and has a yellow skin . Themelonsmells like a banana tree but has the flesh of a melon .
This plant life is anheirloomand the fruit provides both a hint of sweetness and spiciness which many multitude savour .
You should expect the yield to weigh approximately eight pound and be about two feet in length at the time of harvest .
Now that you empathize the drawing card to this fruit , let ’s talk over what it need in a growing location . Banana melons require a location with full sunlight .
It ’s evenly authoritative to offer aerated dirt that drains well . The stain should be capable to hold consistent wet but also enfeeble aside any excess quickly to obviate oversaturation .
If you’re able to provide these few specification in a rise locating , banana melon vine should have a good start in your garden .
How to Plant Banana Melons
There are two way to arise banana melons . No matter the method acting you choose , ensure youamend your soilin the final develop fix prior to planting .
Now that you have that initial bakshis under your whack , let ’s discuss how you may part your own plants . The first method acting is to get the cum indoors one month prior to the final freeze date .
This is a good idea if you ’d like to get a saltation on your turn season or if you live in an area with a forgetful growing season .
Fill a grow tray with well - draining soil and plant two seeds in each cellular phone of the tray . The seeds should be constitute ¼ inch deep .
Two seeds per cell serves as a sprouting insurance policy in case one come fails to pullulate . Keep the seeded player in a locating with temperature around 80- to 90 - degrees Fahrenheit .
see you fog the soil with a spray bottle to keep it equally damp while the seeds spud . After they ’ve sprouted , move the plants to a warm locating where they ’ll receive bright , collateral light .
carry on to keep the soil dampish and put up care until each industrial plant has true leave of absence , and the concluding hoarfrost has reach .
At this point , you mayharden the seed offto prepare them for graft . At the meter of transplant , dig a hole turgid enough to patronise the roots of the seedling .
Place the seedling in the ground and backfill it . Press securely around the base of the industrial plant to stop air from reaching the roots .
Make certain to pull up stakes a half foot between each plant in the row and three feet between each row .
The other option for raise banana melon is to instantly sow the semen into the garden . await until two week after the final rime has occurred .
The soil should be 70 - degree Fahrenheit or greater . make mounds in your garden that are two feet apart . industrial plant three seeds a ½ inch deep in each mound . insure each wrangle is six inches apart .
It takes the come approximately one to two weeks to germinate . Keep the soil evenly dampish while you waitress for germination to take place .
Now that you experience the two methods to starting banana melon vine plants , pick the option which work better for your acquirement stage and planting zone . Then summate these delicious fruit to your growing place .
Caring for Banana Melons
Caring for banana tree melons is n’t much different than caring for other types of melon . These fruit require pee , fertilizer , weed control , and a agency to protect the yield .
When water banana tree melons , it ’s important to water the plants deeply . This mean you ’ll water the plants for longer period of clip , few day of the week .
In doing so , you ’re encouraging good for you plant with rich root as they ’ll travail into the territory between lachrymation to retrieve necessary moisture .
Ensure your banana tree melon plant receive around one - column inch of water each calendar week . You may test the territory to know when to irrigate your plants again .
Stick your finger into the soil next to the plant life . When it ’s dry to your first knuckle joint , it ’s time to water the plants deep again .
The next thing you should do when caring for banana tree melons is apply fertilizer . This should be done at the time of planting .
It ’s better to employ a granular , slow - waiver plant food when adding these melons to your garden . Then you could use a balanced , all - purpose fertilizer throughout the rise season as directed on the production package .
You should taste to keep dope out of your garden as they compete with your plant for nutrient and provide a concealment blot for pestilence and disease .
Therefore , it ’s wise to hold alayer of mulcharound each plant . Not only will the mulch serve as a weed barrier but will also help the plant retain moisture .
It ’s equally as important to keep your fruit off the ground while it ’s growing . This will dissuade rot . You may slew a while of cardboard beneath the fruit or habituate a triangular bandage to support it .
If you’re able to execute these few unsubdivided task , you should be able to provide what your plant require to expand in your garden area .
Garden Pests and Diseases Which Impact Banana Melons
Unfortunately , all melons are susceptible to many of the same diseases . Banana melons are no exception .
These fruits are opened to fungous issues such asdowny mold , root rot , andpowdery mildew . Keep these issues at bay by constitute in a cheery growing location with well - draining soil .
This helps because most fungous number prosper in areas that are damp and stale . If your plants fare in contact with downy mould and powdery mold be sure to treat them with a fungicide and remove infected parts of the plant .
If your flora get root rot , this usually fall out because they ’re growing in locations with poor drain . render digging up the plant , cut down off damage base , and give the plant life time to dry out before transplanting in a new growing localization .
It ’s difficult for works to bounce back from root putrefaction , so be prepared that they still may not live even with bring the steps mentioned here .
Banana melons are also susceptible to pests such as aphids and flea beetles . If you encounter these upshot in your garden , treat them with an insecticide at the first sighting to deter a larger infestation .
These are the main threats banana tree melons face in the garden . Remain alert , so you ’re fain to move speedily at the first sign of the zodiac of trouble . This could store your plants and ultimately , your harvest home .
Banana Melon Quick Reference Growing Chart
How to Harvest Banana Melons
We do n’t put all this effort into growing and protect our plant without the Bob Hope of a improbable crop .
If you ’re raw to uprise any character of melon vine , you may be wondering how you go about it . banana tree melons are loose to reap and leave clues as to the right metre to glean .
Banana melons can take up to three calendar month to be ready for picking . When you think it ’s getting close to harvest clip , stop water one hebdomad prior to your harvest date . This will help keep the melons from splitting . You want to avoid this because this will open up your fruits up to pest which will break your harvest .
As the melon vine reach their prime , they should skid well off the vine when they ’re ready . Once you ’ve glean the fruit , store it at 45 - grade Fahrenheit in a humid location .
Most refrigerator have a setting that permit you to run across these specifications . The melons should last between one and two weeks in these conditions .
Once your melon vine are harvested , you ’re ready to savour all of your hard work and discover a variety of ways to enjoy a lesser - known yield .
You now know the basics of how to grow banana melons . These fruits are n’t the most common , but their unparalleled flavour and show may make them one of your new favorites .
Utilize the tips provided here to navigate your journeying when growing banana tree melon . It ’s our hope that in a matter of a few calendar month you ’ll be enjoying the real fruits of your British Labour Party .
Banana Melon Harvesting: Quick Reference Chart
Key Takeaways
Learn More About Banana Melons
https://extension.umd.edu/resource/growing-melons-home-garden
https://www.canr.msu.edu/resources/how_to_grow_melons
https://extension.okstate.edu/fact-sheets/melon-production.html
