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Plants that fill a similar niche:
Cucurbita maxima Cucurbita maxima
Cucurbita moschata Butternut squash
Phaseolus vulgaris beans
Cucumis melo var. cantalupensis has some common insect problems:
Pests of Cucurbits
Cucumis melo var. cantalupensis has some common disease problems:
Cucurbit Downy Mildew
Anthracnose of Cucurbits
Gummy Stem Blight of Cucurbits

Cantaloupe Melon Cucumis melo var. cantalupensis

Other Common Name(s):

Phonetic Spelling
KOO-koo-mis MEL-oh kan-ta-loo-PEN-sis
Description

Cantaloupe is a cultivar of the muskmelon, a member of the Cucurbitaceae (gourd) family. Like its parent, it is a warm-season annual vine that produces large fruit. The parent plant is probably native to Asia, although it has been in cultivation for so long that its native habitat is lost in time. The genus name Cucumis is the Latin word for cucumber.

Cantaloupe needs full sun and well-drained, loose, moist, soils high in organic matter. Cantaloupe vines will grow in clay, but will likely need organic amendments to thrive. Consistent soil moisture and warm, sunny conditions are essential for this frost-tender plant. Plant seeds outdoors after the last spring frost or start the seeds indoors in pots or other containers about four to six weeks prior to the last spring frost date. Pick fruit when young (older melons toughen as they mature).

These vines produce large, sweet, juicy fruit whose average weight is 3 pounds, but can range from 1 to 11 pounds. The ripe melons have a sweet, musky scent.

Cantaloupe plants are long, trailing vines that are typically supported by cages or trellises. If there is enough space, though, they can be allowed to trail along the ground. They need a lot of space and are typically grown in an edible or cottage garden. With proper support they work well as a vertical planting.

Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: Members of the Cucurbit family are subject to many insect pests and diseases, including cucumber beetles and wilt caused by cold weather stress.  

The Clemson Cooperative Extension Home and Garden Information Center has a factsheet on common cucumis diseases as well as a factsheet on common insect pests and other problems.

VIDEO Created by Homegrown featuring Penny Perkins-Veazie, Professor and Postharvest Physiologist at NC State's Plants for Human Health Institute

More information on Cucumis melo.

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Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#edible plant#yellow flowers#scrambling#high maintenance#fast growing#children's garden#edible fruits#fragrant fruits#vegetable#edible garden#vertical spaces#annual vegetable#rough leaves#vine#warm season vegetable#frequent insect problems#frequent disease problems
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#edible plant#yellow flowers#scrambling#high maintenance#fast growing#children's garden#edible fruits#fragrant fruits#vegetable#edible garden#vertical spaces#annual vegetable#rough leaves#vine#warm season vegetable#frequent insect problems#frequent disease problems
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Cucumis
    Species:
    melo
    Family:
    Cucurbitaceae
    Uses (Ethnobotany):
    Edible fruit.
    Life Cycle:
    Annual
    Recommended Propagation Strategy:
    Seed
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    Asia
    Distribution:
    Introduced to Europe and the United States.
    Play Value:
    Attracts Pollinators
    Edible fruit
    Climbing Method:
    Scrambler
    Tendrils
    Edibility:
    Eaten fresh, often as a breakfast fruit or as a dessert. Rich in vitamins B and C. The surface of a cantaloupe can contain harmful bacteria—in particular, Salmonella—and should be washed and scrubbed thoroughly before cutting and consumption.
    Dimensions:
    Height: 1 ft. 0 in. - 3 ft. 0 in.
    Width: 2 ft. 0 in. - 15 ft. 0 in.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Annual
    Edible
    Vegetable
    Vine
    Warm Season Vegetable
    Habit/Form:
    Climbing
    Creeping
    Spreading
    Growth Rate:
    Rapid
    Maintenance:
    High
    Texture:
    Coarse
    Appendage:
    Tendrils
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
    Soil Texture:
    High Organic Matter
    Loam (Silt)
    Soil pH:
    Acid (<6.0)
    Neutral (6.0-8.0)
    Soil Drainage:
    Good Drainage
    Moist
    Available Space To Plant:
    12 inches-3 feet
    3 feet-6 feet
    6-feet-12 feet
    12-24 feet
    NC Region:
    Coastal
    Mountains
    Piedmont
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    2a, 2b, 3a, 3b, 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b, 10a, 10b, 11a, 11b
  • Fruit:
    Fruit Color:
    Orange
    Fruit Value To Gardener:
    Edible
    Fragrant
    Display/Harvest Time:
    Fall
    Fruit Type:
    Berry
    Fruit Length:
    > 3 inches
    Fruit Width:
    > 3 inches
    Fruit Description:
    Large round with netted apperance inside sweet succulent orange edible flesh with a musky odor.
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Gold/Yellow
    Flower Inflorescence:
    Cyme
    Solitary
    Flower Value To Gardener:
    Showy
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Summer
    Flower Shape:
    Saucer
    Flower Petals:
    4-5 petals/rays
    Flower Size:
    < 1 inch
    Flower Description:
    Yellow flowers with 5-parted corollas bloom throughout much of the growing season.
  • Leaves:
    Leaf Color:
    Green
    Leaf Feel:
    Rough
    Leaf Type:
    Simple
    Leaf Arrangement:
    Alternate
    Leaf Shape:
    Elliptical
    Leaf Margin:
    Lobed
    Hairs Present:
    Yes
    Leaf Length:
    3-6 inches
    Leaf Width:
    1-3 inches
  • Stem:
    Stem Color:
    Green
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
    Stem Cross Section:
    Angular
    Stem Form:
    Straight
    Stem Surface:
    Smooth (glabrous)
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Vertical Spaces
    Landscape Theme:
    Cottage Garden
    Edible Garden
    Attracts:
    Bees
    Pollinators
    Problems:
    Frequent Disease Problems
    Frequent Insect Problems