Rock Melon

Rock Melon Care

Cucumis Melo Var. Cantalupensis

What is the plant

Cucumis melo var. cantalupensis) is a plant in the pumpkin family (Cucurbitaceae), a type of melon. The fruits of the cantaloupe are covered with a striped rind. In length, as a rule, 15-25 cm. The fruit pulp is orange in color. Transportable, but long-term storage is contraindicated. It is believed that the probable ancestor of the Cantalupensis group was brought to Europe in the XV century from Armenia (today eastern Turkey).

Melons were presented to the head of the Catholic Church-the Pope-as an exquisite dessert. The food was to his taste, and the Pope sent the seeds for cultivation to his estate in Cantalupia. Hence, these melons got their current name-cantaloupes. Currently, cantaloupes are a widely cultivated type of melon in both the Old and New World.

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Humidity

Normal

Lighting

Full Sun

Temperature

22°C - 25°C

Hardiness zone

9a - 11b

Difficulty

Easy

Hibernation

Cold period

How to Care for the Plant

Water
Keep moist by watering regularly. Pinch out the growing tip once the plant has made three leaves and do the same to side shoots as they appear.
Pruning
Using pruning shears, cut lateral vines that grow from the primary up to the eighth leaf node. Take care not to damage the main stem when cutting back the cantaloupe plants. Leave 1-2 lateral vines untouched. Once the melons begin to form, remove all but a single fruit per vine.
Fertilizer
Cantaloupes also benefit from applications high-nitrogen fish emulsion once the plants flower. Mix 1 tablespoon of fish emulsion in 1 gallon of water and apply it to the soil around the plants once a week after flowering.

Disease diagnosis

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Sunlight
Sandy or light-textured soils that warm quickly in spring are best.
Soil
Best direct sown once soil has warmed and there is no longer a risk of frost.
Temperature
Rock melons are (also called cantaloupe) semi tropical plants so like plenty of warmth. They grow best with a soil temperature of 20 – 32 degrees C.

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Container
With the right care, cantaloupe can thrive in a container – even a smallish one – which means anyone, anywhere, in whatever size house
Additional
The fruit and foliage are toxic due to the presence of cucurbitacin. The plant is potentially toxic to horses, sheep, cattle and pigs and humans has been associated with stock deaths. It has been used by humans as an emetic. A rockmelon has the scientific name Cucimis melo var. cantalupensis, and is one of the varieties of the Cucumis melo or 'melon' species. Rockmelons grow on large vines that have big hairy leaves, and the actual melon can weigh 0.5 to 5 kilograms (1 to 10 pounds).
Popularity
54 people already have this plant 21 people have added this plant to their wishlists