Alternately, start seeds indoors three to four weeks before the last frost date. The University of Minnesota Extension recommends planting the seeds in 4-inch biodegradable peat or paper pots and using a seed heat mat. At 70 to 90 degrees, the seeds will germinate in five to 10 days.
Snip off excess seedlings with sterilized scissors, so only one sturdy seedling remains in each container. Before transplanting your seedlings outside, tear off the upper half of the peat or paper pot so it is completely buried; any exposed part will wick moisture away from the plant's roots. Keep the soil evenly moist, but not waterlogged, and avoid wetting the leaves.
Check the containers daily in hot weather to ensure the soil doesn't dry out. A 3- to 4-inch layer of mulch helps slow evaporation from the soil. As the fruits ripen, begin to let the soil dry to a depth of 2 to 3 inches before watering again. Fertilize your container-grown cantaloupes every two weeks with a balanced liquid fertilizer.
Alternately, you can feed them with 1 to 2 cups of compost tea or diluted fish emulsion biweekly. If you're a busy gardener, consider using a slow-release fertilizer and installing drip irrigation on a timer. Always water after fertilizing. In 60 to 90 days, the cantaloupes change from green to tan or yellowish-brown under the netting on their skins. So when you see the female flowers spread its petals, pluck male flowers. If you observe, you will see tiny yellow pollens at the center of the male flowers.
You must transfer these to the female flower's bud. After a few hours have passed, you will see the female flower has closed its petals and covered the bud.
Mission accomplished! It will start to form a cantaloupe fruit in a few days. It is vital to prune the plant when it is young so that it can remain healthy and bear sweeter fruits. Thin the seedlings by allowing only 3 of the strongest ones to continue to grow.
The initial nutrients in the potting soil slowly lose their effectiveness after a few weeks. It is, therefore, essential to use water-soluble fertilizer that is diluted to half strength every two weeks. It is essential to provide adequate water for the plant. Keep the soil moist but not waterlogged. Ensure that the leaves are luscious, and the water drains out freely. When growing cantaloupes in a container, it is essential to water the plant every day or even twice a day if you stay in a very warm place.
Try not to wet the leaves as it may lead to fungal diseases. Use a soaker hose to water the plant. You must cut back on the watering once the fruit reaches the size of a tennis ball. Overwatering the plant at this stage will decrease the sweetness of the fruit. Like all varieties of melons, cantaloupes also like to sprawl over. As you are growing one in a container, this must be stopped. Using trellis is one of the best solutions to the problem.
It does not matter how much effort you have put in until now, as all of it can go to waste if you harvest the crops when it is still immature. It roughly takes days to ripen after the female flower has been pollinated. Look out for signs of ripeness such as the change of color from green to orangish-yellow, fruity smell when you go near the stem, a hollow sound when you hit the fruit with your knuckles or the softening of the rind.
However, you can be sure that it is time to harvest when the fruit easily detaches itself from the stem with just a slight movement. With that, its a wrap from me! I hope that you found the tutorial to be an interesting read. With the growing concern of food adulteration and excessive use of chemical fertilizers, one cannot be sure of the product one brings home.
This was one of the reasons for me to develop an interest in growing my vegetables and fruits. If you also have the same concerns, do not let limited space come in the way.
And growing cantaloupe in containers allows you to extend the growing season by planting earlier in the spring and bringing the young plants inside on exceptionally cold nights. Growing cantaloupe in containers requires choosing the right type of cantaloupe — a dwarf variety usually works best — selecting a container of appropriate size, preparing a quality planting mix, and training the vines up a support structure of some kind. You can purchase seedlings from a local nursery or start your cantaloupe from seed either directly in the container or in trays.
Although full-size cantaloupes can be grown in containers, dwarf varieties have shorter vines and smaller melons better suited to small spaces and vertical growing. Here are a few recommended varieties:. For dwarf cantaloupe varieties, choose a container at least 16 inches deep and 14 inches wide, or five gallons in volume. A clean utility bucket with holes drilled in the bottom for drainage works well in a pinch, or purchase a half-barrel planter for multiple plants or a full-size variety.
Sturdy plastic, wood, terra-cotta, and even breathable fabric grow bags or feed bags are all great options for cantaloupe containers. Make sure whatever container you choose has adequate drainage, and if you plan on moving the plant inside at all, it should also be easy to move and have a saucer to keep your floor dry.
A lightweight pot in the smallest size necessary will facilitate this, or place the container on a dolly. Cantaloupe will grow best in quality potting soil that drains well and contains plenty of organic matter and either perlite or vermiculite. To make your own planting mix, combine clean topsoil and compost or well-rotted manure. Adding perlite or vermiculite will help the soil retain moisture, as will a thin layer of mulch on top.
If desired, you can add an all-purpose, slow-release fertilizer to the container at the time of planting to give the seeds or transplants an extra boost, or you can wait until the seedlings are six inches tall and apply a liquid fertilizer. I always recommend organic fertilizer , especially when dealing with fruits and veggies.
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