Cantaloupe
Cucumis melo
Cantaloupe is a heat-loving muskmelon on trailing vines that needs warm soil and full sun for sweet flesh. Adequate spacing of 60–90 cm between plants reduces leaf disease and ensures fruit can ripen without crowding on the ground. Melons mature in about 75–100 days from sowing when moisture stays steady early.
Plant family Cucurbitaceae · Also called muskmelon
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Wait for warm soil before sowing.
Direct sow 2.5 cm deep two to four weeks after the last frost, or start indoors 3–4 weeks before frost for short seasons. Germination is 4–10 days.
Tender plants require frost-free growth. Either method demands hardened transplants if started inside.
Use this range as a planning baseline and adjust for local conditions.
Use this range as a planning baseline and adjust for local conditions.
Use this range as a planning baseline and adjust for local conditions.
Use this range as a planning baseline and adjust for local conditions.
Train vines or give ground to spread.
Allow 60–90 cm between plants with rows about 150 cm. Vining habit needs large space though less than watermelon.
Containers list 40 cm depth and 50 litres for compact types. Most home growers use open beds for vine run.
Core measurements
Crop-level planning range.
Crop-level planning range.
Crop-level planning range.
Crop-level planning range.
Allow for the mature form of the selected variety.
Install support early when it is required or useful.
Water deeply while melons swell.
Eight hours of direct sun is preferred. Fruit sugar accumulation depends on leaf area in full light.
High water at 35–50 mm weekly with pH 6.0–7.0 during vine growth. The key tip ties quality to warm soil and uncrowded vines.
Sunlight
Full sun preferred (8+ direct-sun hours/day)
Soil pH
A suitable acidity range for general growth.
Weekly water
High water need.
Keep soil consistently moist but not waterlogged, especially during establishment and harvest development.
Judge ripeness from slip and aroma.
Melons ripen in 75–100 days from sowing. Slip from the stem when the rind net shows color and aroma strengthens.
Harvest basis is sowing. Overwatering near ripening can dilute flavor; steady moisture earlier matters more.
Read with the full crop profile.
Read with the full crop profile.
Read with the full crop profile.
Read with the full crop profile.
Wait for warm soil and protect vines from crowding; fruit quality depends on full sun.
Cantaloupe growing questions
How does cantaloupe spacing compare to watermelon?
Cantaloupe lists 60–90 cm plants and 150 cm rows versus wider watermelon spacing.
Can cantaloupe be transplanted?
Either direct or transplant is listed with optional indoor start 3–4 weeks before frost.
When are cantaloupes ready to pick?
Use aroma, rind netting, and stem slip in addition to the 75–100 day sowing range.
What soil warmth is implied by planting time?
Outdoor sowing two to four weeks after the last frost targets warm soil for tender vines.
Profile values are crop-level planning ranges compiled from sources S1,S2,S4. Local climate and variety can change actual results.
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