All types of melons go in the large Cucurbitaceae family , which also includes cucumbers , squeeze , pumpkin and gourds . Melons are a warm - season crop that are well wound by frosts and depending on the melon eccentric , can take anywhere from 80 to 100 day or more from plant to harvesting . Gardeners have avast varietyof melon variety to choose from and all postulate the same basic develop shape . We give you the BASIC on growing tasty melons .
Popular Melon Varieties
In North America , the most popular type of melons arewatermelon , sweet melon vine andhoneydewtypes . Although you ’ll find melons listed as “ cantaloupe vine ” in U.S. stores , these are n’t true cantaloupes and are really sweet melon . True cantaloupes are n’t grow commercially in the U.S. , but are uncouth throughout Europe . Compared to what the U.S. anticipate a cantaloupe , true cantaloupes are verrucose without clear and average - sized .
Some democratic cultivars of these melon types include :
Expert Tip : watermelon vine require more heat and a longer growing season than muskmelons and honeydews .
Preferred Climate & Soil Temperature
For melon crops to thrive and bring about flowers and yield , it ’s important their cultural needs are fit . All types of hotness - loving melons thrive when temperature range between 70 ° F to 80 ° F ( 21 ° one C to 27 ° C ) . Therefore , it ’s significant to wait until the grunge temperature pass on 60 ° F ( 15.5 ° C ) before transplanting or planting seeds . Otherwise , the seed may fail to germinate and the transplants may die .
If you need to get a jump start on raise your melons , you’re able to :
Expert Tip : sandlike , loose soil warms quicker in leap than more compact soil like clay .
Site Considerations
When select a location to create and plant your melon garden , consider that melons grow on large vining plants that demand space to disseminate . However , those that lack garden distance can grow more compact melon cultivar in turgid container . Just check that the container drains or the plants can rot .
you’re able to provide the vine togrow verticallyup a trellis or arbor , and protect the originate fruit by suspending them in a whippy bearer like pantyhose . Use at least a 5 - gallon container with bottom drainage holes and attach the rise vines to an arbor or treillage structure . midget multifariousness of melon work best with this eccentric of system of rules .
Cultural Needs
All type of melons thrive when their ethnic requirements are met , which include :
It ’s best to prepare the garden expanse for farm your melon vine in late winter or other give . All types of melons produce better in loose dirt that is fertile . Apply a 10 - in layer of well - aged compost or manure over the garden and act down into the soil about eight to 10 column inch .
Next , create the mounds where you will constitute your melon transplants or seeds .
Planting
Thoroughly irrigate the soil before planting . If constitute seeds , plant six cum equally spaced per mound . entomb the seed about 1 inch deep and once germinate , flimsy to the two strong seedlings . For transplanting , plant one to two peat tummy per mound . Bury the melon seedling graft at the same depth it ’s already growing in the peat pot . After planting , water the garden area again .
Expert Tip : calculate on the variety of melon vine , it can take anywhere from six days to almost three workweek for the seed to germinate .
Continued Care
All types of melons have deep roots and require consistent moisture , especially during their other stage of growth and the flowering and fruiting point . They necessitate at least 2 inches of water weekly . To forestall disease problem , H2O in the sunup and do n’t allow the foliage to become wet . dribble irrigation form well for melons .
fertilise the melon vine implant every three weeks using an organic portmanteau word like a 5 - 5 - 5 . Spread equally along the sides of the melon vine plant and weewee in well . Side dress the plant with several inch of well - age compost monthly .
Expert Tip : Due to disease problems , rotate melon vine crops to a different site every three to four years .
