How To Grow Cantaloupe Vertically

March 31, 2024 Post a Comment

How to grow cantaloupe vertically

Vining plants that sprawl on the ground are also vulnerable to insect pests, fruit rot, and other diseases. Growing melons vertically, that is up a trellis, allows for better airflow that keeps foliage dry. In addition, fruit is held above the wet ground and far from crawling bugs.

How tall should a trellis be for a cantaloupe?

When trellising melons, tie vines to the trellis daily, using soft plant ties that won't crush stems. A trellis for cantaloupe should be large: up to 8 feet tall and 20 feet wide in warmest climates. Wire fencing works well.

How do you support a cantaloupe on a trellis?

Use old nylons, pieces of t-shirt, or other scrap cloth to create slings for the melons as they mature; otherwise, they will get too heavy and drop from the vine. Keep the slings tight enough to support the cantaloupe but with enough give to allow room for the melon to grow.

What is the best support for cantaloupe?

Once you've got the how-to's of growing cantaloupe, the vertical part is easy. The vines can grow several feet, and the fruits can be heavy, so be sure you use a sturdy, tall trellis. A fence can work well, as can an archway. As the vines grow, simply tie them loosely to your trellis.

What should not be planted near cantaloupe?

Some of the best companion plants for cantaloupes include marigolds, nasturtiums, radishes, and lettuce. Avoid planting cucumbers, watermelons, or squash near cantaloupes, as they are susceptible to the same pests!

Can you use tomato cages for cantaloupe?

Easy supports for container-grown cantaloupes are bamboo u-hoops, like these from the Home Depot. You can also use tomato cages, or train them up a trellis against a wall in your garden. To attach the plant, take some garden tape and wrap it around the vine, and tie it to the hoop or trellis.

How do you make cantaloupe sweeter when growing?

Heat brings out melons' sweetness, so make sure to plant them in a location that warms up early in spring and stays hot through the end of September. The south side of a fence or wall is ideal as the structure will absorb heat and light from the sun and reflect it back onto the melons.

Do you need 2 cantaloupe plants to get fruit?

While cantaloupes are self-pollinating—meaning they have both male flowers and female flowers on the vine, if you don't have many bees or other pollinators to spread the pollen, you're out of luck!

How many cantaloupes grow per plant?

Each plant can produce anywhere from four to eight delicious melons.

Should you keep cantaloupe off the ground?

That said, whether you're growing cantaloupes, muskmelons or watermelons, leaving the ripening fruits on the ground can lead to rot and damage from pests such as slugs, earwigs, pill bugs and wireworms. Elevating developing melons so they don't contact the soil solves this common problem.

Do cantaloupes like climbing?

Grow cantaloupe vertically; they love to climb. Use a melon hammock to support the hanging fruit if desired, but it often isn't necessary. If powdery mildew is a problem, consider growing Ambrosia or other disease-resistant varieties.

Should you Mound cantaloupe?

Plant 4-6 cantaloupe seeds directly in the garden when soils are 65°F. Seeds should be planted 1-2 inches deep, in mounds 4 feet apart. Thin the mounds after emergence to 2 plants. Transplant cantaloupe 2 feet apart through black plastic for early maturity.

Can you use Miracle Grow on cantaloupe?

Feeding and Caring for Melons Then, feed your melon plants regularly through the growing season with a continuous-release plant food like Miracle-Gro® Performance Organic® Edibles Plant Nutrition Granules, which feeds the soil as well as your plants.

Is Epsom salt good for cantaloupe plants?

Epsom salts and borax can sweeten cantaloupes. Mix 7 tablespoons Epsom salts and 4 tablespoons borax in 5 gallons of water. Spray when the plants begin to vine and again when the cantaloupes are baseball sized, says David Van Ness.

Does cantaloupe need full sun or shade?

Cantaloupe Planting Basics Plant cantaloupe seeds in full sun in well-drained soil. They'll need about 85 days to mature, but don't rush things. Sow seeds only when temperatures reliably stay above 50°F to 60°F. Plant in groups of two or three seeds spaced 2 feet apart.

Is it OK to plant watermelon and cantaloupe together?

It's fine to grow watermelons and cantaloupe side by side. Cross-pollination between melon varieties may occur, but not between watermelons (Citrullus lanatus v.

Can I plant cantaloupe next to tomatoes?

Tomatoes and peppers don't thrive with melons because melons take up so much space they crowd them out. Also, don't plant melons next to plants that will shade them, because they need full sun.

When should you pick cantaloupe from the vine?

When rinds begin to change from green to tan or yellow, the melon is typically ripe enough to pick. 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.

Can I grow cantaloupe in a 5 gallon bucket?

Good news! If you have a five-gallon pot and a sunny place to put it, you can still grow cantaloupe. This may seem like an odd plant for a container garden, but we'll help you get started with tips on how to grow cantaloupe in containers, from choosing the right variety to harvesting the fruit.

Can I plant cantaloupe in July?

In fact, the year-round pleasant temperatures of California are why it is the largest producer of cantaloupe in the country. You can plant seeds starting from late March to early April all the way through July.