The honeydew melon is one of the two main cultivar types in Cucumis melo Inodorus Group. It is characterized by the smooth rind and lack of musky odor. The other main type in the Inodorus Group is the wrinkle-rind casaba melon.
Honeydew melons are drought-intolerant so keep the soil moist while the seeds germinate, and the seedlings grow. Honeydew melon plants aren't fussy or difficult to grow. Honeydews, just like other melons, can not tolerate dry soil, so be sure to keep the soil evenly moist throughout their growing season to ensure the melons grow to full size. As soon as one melon is ripe, the others won't be far behind. About a week before a melon is ripe, minimize watering to just enough to keep vines from wilting. This lets vines concentrate sugars in the fruit. Too much water dilutes the sugar and, of course, the sweetness.
After thinning your young plants, you should mulch around them to preserve moisture, retain warmth, and prevent weeds from sprouting. Before the runners on the vines are about 6 inches long, scatter 2 to 3 pounds of fertilizer per 60 to 90 feet of row 2 to 3 feet to the side of the row and mix it lightly with the soil. Fertilize muskmelons and honeydews with 2 to 3 pounds of fertilizer for every 60 to 70 feet of row.
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.
Provide good air circulation, with temperatures between 65 (18 °C) to 75 F (23 °C) and nighttime temperatures between 50 t(10°C) to 60 F (15 °C).
