Sugar melons are particularly popular as a he althy refreshment in between meals, especially during the hot summer months. Although the fruits grown at home can only be enjoyed a little later in the year, they are still fresher.
How can you grow your own muskmelon?
Cantaloupe plants require plenty of sunlight, warmth and a constant supply of water. Grow seeds on the windowsill or in the greenhouse in April, transplant young plants outdoors in May and harvest in August or September. Use nutrient-rich, moisture-retaining soil.
How do muskmelon plants grow?
Since muskmelons, like other types of melons, belong to the pumpkin family, they grow as elongated tendrils along the ground or along trellises and trellises. The large leaves absorb a lot of sunlight and heat to generate energy for aromatic fruits. If you look closely, due to the fact that the plants are annual, despite their sweet taste, watermelons, honeydew melons and other types of melons are not fruits, but vegetables.
Which location do muskmelons prefer?
Sugarmelons are mainly grown in the following countries before they go on sale in this country:
- Africa
- Asia
- Iran
- Mexico
- Brazil
- Australia
They need lots of sunlight, warmth and a constant supply of water to grow. Therefore, you should keep your garden or greenhouse as sunny and warm as possible. At the same time, you must not let the plants dry out, especially in the weeks before harvest, if you want to harvest tasty fruits.
What should you consider when sowing and planting sugar melons?
If you want to use the seeds from harvested fruits for further propagation, you should not use hybrid varieties. The substrate for cultivation should be nutrient-rich, but not fertilized with fresh stable manure.
Is it worth growing muskmelons on the windowsill or in the greenhouse?
Bringing young plants forward is almost essential in our latitudes, as otherwise the summer season can be too short for the fruits to ripen. When planting young plants outdoors, the plants should first be accustomed to the bright sunlight for a few hours at a time due to their sensitive leaves.
Can muskmelons be transplanted?
Like all melons, muskmelons are sensitive to pricking and should therefore be grown in decomposing plant pots (€15.00 on Amazon) if possible.
How can muskmelons be propagated?
Muskmelons reproduce exclusively via the seeds. Seeds obtained from the fruits must be cleaned of the pulp before storage and re-sowing so that they do not become moldy.
When are sugar melons sown and when harvested?
When sown on the windowsill in April, the different types of muskmelons can be harvested in August or September with good care.
What should the soil be like for cultivation?
The soil for muskmelons should be rich in nutrients and retain moisture well, but must not contain absolutely fresh manure.
Tips & Tricks
Larger varieties of muskmelon such as honeydew melon require some floor space with room for tendrils and fruit, while Charentais melon can also be grown as a balcony melon.
