You've found the famous Dave's Garden website! Join this friendly global community that shares tips and ideas for home and gardens, along with seeds and plants!
Check out the DG homepage for a brief overview of what you'll find in this gardening mega-site.
Login
If you don't have an account yet, visit the registration page to sign up.
So you say you love cantaloupe? So you never buy one because you can't finish a whole one before it goes bad? So you don't think you have room to grow melons because you're a patio gardener? Then this article is for you!
OK, I know you cantaloupe lovers out there don't have any trouble finishing a whole melon, but give me a break. I was on a roll!
In years past, when I had a large vegetable garden, I grew full-size cantaloupes, Cucumis melo. Several years ago, though, my husband and I moved into our retirement dream home. We have room for a veggie garden, but we have chosen to have perennial beds and do our veggie gardening on the patio in large, self-watering containers. For the last couple of years, I have grown tomatoes, bush cucumbers, grape tomatoes and bell peppers. It was time to try something different...cantaloupe!
If you have never heard of single-serving cantaloupe, they are baseball to softball-sized melons that are just perfect for one person to eat in their entirety at one sitting. I've never seen them in the grocery stores or produce markets in our part of the country (western New York state), but they are available in seed catalogs. The varieties seem to change from year to year as new ones are developed and old ones go out of favor. Last spring I looked online for seeds of 'Little Sweetie', a variety recommended to me by a fellow DG member. I couldn't locate it, but I did find 'Serenade' from seedman.com, Gurney's 'Li'l Sweet Cantaloupe' and for those who prefer honeydew, Cucumis melo var. inodorus, 'Mini Muskateers' from D. Palmer Seed. I decided on 'Serenade'.
'Little Sweetie' photo courtesy of Sarahskeeper at DG Styrofoam™ cup/newspaper-lined
The traditional planting time in my zone 6a area is Memorial Day. The seed packet said to start seed 2 to 4 weeks before planting time. So on May 10th, I planted seeds in foam cups lined with newspaper, holes punched in the bottom for drainage; 2 cups of 5 seeds each. I had never used the cups before. My reasoning for using them now was that the cups were big enough to allow a fairly substantial root system. The newspaper lining could be removed and planted along with the seedling, keeping disturbance of the roots to a minimum. Melons object to having their roots trifled with. Those of you with a longer growing season can plant directly in the garden, but in zone 6 they need a bit of a head start. Five seeds to a cup was probably excessive, because melon seeds have a very good germination rate in my experience. But...the packet contained 10 seeds and I only wanted 2 plants (I did the math!).
The cups were placed in a plastic zipper baggie under grow lights that I keep on 24 hours for warmth during the germination period. If you have a heat mat you could use that for bottom warmth. All 10 seeds germinated within 8 days. At this point, remove the baggie and reduce the number of light hours per day to 12. Snip off all but 2 of the best seedlings in each cup, so there will be an extra one in each cup 'just in case'. Snipping them rather than pulling them out prevents the tangled roots from tearing on the seedlings that you want to retain. Keep the little guys moist and within a few inches of the lights so they don't get 'leggy' from reaching for the light source as they grow.
On June 1st, a few days after the Memorial Day target, I got around to actually planting the seedlings. Melon plants are very tender, so if there is any danger of a frost, you should wait. Cover them if you expect a freeze after they are planted. A plastic milk jug with the bottom cut out makes a quick 'greenhouse'. You could also drape a tent of plastic sheeting or polyester row cover over the top of the whole container, making sure that the plastic is supported so that it doesn't rest on the plants.
Keep only one of the seedlings from each cup, snipping out the weaker one. I used a planting mix that is made for self-watering containers, with the addition of 8 ounces of 5-6-5 organic fertilizer to 40 quarts of planting mix. It should be moistened well before planting. Follow the directions on the bag. You could experiment with any sterile container mix that does well for you. I would recommend that you NOT use garden soil in a container. Make sure the cups are well watered so the soil doesn't crumble. Peel or cut away the cup and plant the remaining seedling with the soil and newspaper intact. I was pleased with my little paper-lined cup 'invention' and it worked very well. Probably thousands of gardeners have invented it before me.
Just planted seedlings ~ 6/1
A large container, such as the one offered with the Tomato Success Kit at Gardener's Supply (the one I use) or EarthBox, is big enough for 2 plants. A self-watering container is also not a necessity, but be absolutely sure that the plants don't dry out. On some days, that may mean watering more than once. Even with the self-waterer, I often had to fill the water reservoir daily when the plants got large. A semi-folded tomato cage was added to support the vines as they grew. You also could choose to use a different type of plant support...a teepee of bamboo poles, perhaps, or any of a number of commercial products that are available.
Plants at 3 weeks ~ 6/21 First blossom ~ 6/29
By June 29th, there were blossoms on the vines. I sprayed with a solution of Epsom salts (1 tablespoon to 1 gallon of water) to encourage flowering and fruit set. When you grow in containers, there is more likelihood of mineral deficiencies in the soil. I spray my tomatoes and peppers, so I decided to spray my melons, too. Couldn't hurt! It's cheap and you can buy it at the drug store. If you don't have a sprayer, the solution can be poured on the soil, but from my reading it works more efficiently as a foliar (leaf) spray.
This is probably also a good time to begin spraying for diseases, maybe even earlier. I am hedging here because I waited too late. My vines succumbed to some kind of wilt or disease in August. I only harvested 8 melons and I'm sure there could have been more. Because I try to use only organic methods in my garden, my choice is one of the many organic fungicides available on the market. I used VeggiePharm™, a fully organic insecticidal soap which purports to 'prevent fungal spores from traveling and maturing to disease.' (Quoted from the pharmsolutions.com web site.) In order to prevent the spores from traveling and maturing, the plants would obviously have to be sprayed before the spores got their bags packed. Mea culpa. One insect that causes problems for cucurbits, the plant family that contains both melons and cucumbers, is the striped cucumber beetle, Acalymma vittata. I did see a few beetles, but didn't notice any direct insect damage. The reason for the insecticide is that bugs spread disease. A lesson learned for next year.
When the small fruits start to form, tie the vine loosely to the wire cage near the tiny melon. I used the hook-and-loop (Velcro™) tape that is available for plants. Another cheaper possibility is strips of nylon pantyhose. Do not use anything that will cut into the vine, such as wire twist ties.
All that was left was waiting for that first ripe 'loupe. Now, how to tell if it was ripe? It's hard enough to pick one out in the supermarket. These melons don't have the brownish 'netting' that we in the United States are familiar with on what is sold here as cantaloupes. That netting is actually typical of muskmelon, which slips easily from the vine when it is ripe. These little melons seem to be more like the true cantaloupes that are grown in Europe, although there was nothing in the description to indicate that. The seed packet says to 'harvest at forced slip.' I never did figure that out. 'Slip' means that the stem separates easily where the vine attaches to the fruit.
After trying to 'force slip' the first fruit for about a week after I thought it should be ripe, I couldn't stand it any more. I picked it on August 15th, 73 days after setting out the plants. It was served to my melon-loving husband the next day for breakfast. He pronounced it 'sweet and delicious'...everything a cantaloupe should be. And he ate the WHOLE thing!!
For more information about growing in containers, please visit the Container Gardening forum here at DG.
About Jan Recchio
I'm a 'dabble' gardener. Been gardening for over 40 years. I will plant anything that will grow for me and some things that won't, indoors or out. Outdoors I have theme gardens: roses, butterfly/hummingbird, heathers/dwarf conifers, a rock garden (in progress) and a new English-style cottage garden with an herb garden at it's 'heart'. Indoors I try to concentrate on orchids, African violets, anything that will flower or has lots of color and unusual houseplants. I try to stay organic and keep chemicals to a bare minimum. My non-gardening interests include quilting, counted cross-stitch and watercolor painting. I am a proud grandma and before my recent retirement, I was a clinical systems analyst (computer geek) for 24 years.
Posted by fbded (from Huntsville, AL) on February 5, 2008 at 8:15 PM:
I loved your article It came at the same time I was looking for bush or container type veggies like melon cucumber bean etc. I have had almost no luck In other words where do people find the seeds for all the neat but different things they grow.
Annie
...
Posted by grampapa (from Wheatfield, NY) on February 6, 2008 at 12:53 AM:
Annie, I answered you on the first question where you asked...check there for some suggestions.
~jan
...
Subject: Great article!
Posted by doccat5 (from Fredericksburg, VA) on February 5, 2008 at 4:25 AM:
I don't know whether to thank you or smack you, cause I've got to add these to my list. As I was reading I was drooling on my keyboard. I love fresh cantaloupe and those would be perfect. Thanks for sharing such great information. :)
...
Posted by jmorth (from Divernon, IL) on February 5, 2008 at 4:49 AM:
I used to grow a variety called Minnesota Miget. They were baseball size. Reading the article tripped the memory...they were about the sweetest cantalope ever tasted.
...
Posted by pixie62560 (from South China, ME) on February 5, 2008 at 7:45 AM:
Jan, great article and presentation! You made my mouth water!!
I've been growing Cantalope in my garden for about 6 years now and always grow to many. The neighbors don't mind as they get free fruit.
...
Posted by grampapa (from Wheatfield, NY) on February 5, 2008 at 9:39 AM:
We really had fun with these last year. This year we're going to try the little watermelons. and get on the organic fungicides earlier! Territorial Seed has one called 'Petite Treat'
...
Posted by cathy4 (from St. Louis County, MO) on February 5, 2008 at 11:05 AM:
I have to confess, I read this while still "in progress" in the writing area, and have already purchased seed. My husband packs his lunch every day, won't he be surprised to have a cantaloupe?
...
Posted by woofie (from Chewelah, WA) on February 5, 2008 at 11:31 AM:
I have to confess that I have two little seedlings already started (honest, I was just checking to see if the seeds were viable!) so this was a very useful article for me. I haven't tried melons for....well the seeds are 17 years old. Lots of good information, and I REALLY like the idea of lining the cups with newspaper.
...
Posted by carrielamont (from Milton, MA) on February 5, 2008 at 12:30 PM:
I've never grown anything my family would eat (and please don't mention I've been sneaking snips of basil ("ornamental", I said) into the spaghetti sauce!) but I think I have to try, now. Thanks, I think.
xx, carrie
...
Posted by grampapa (from Wheatfield, NY) on February 5, 2008 at 1:23 PM:
Thanks, all, for the nice comments (except for the smack, doccat LOL).
...
Posted by victorgardener (from Lower Hudson Valley, NY) on February 5, 2008 at 1:44 PM:
Nice job, Jan! Maybe I'll try it with my kids. Good kid-sized project.
...
Posted by gabagoo (from Yonkers, NY) on February 5, 2008 at 1:56 PM:
I have container grown cantaloupe before.
It was so much fun!
I had it growing up a teepee support.
I used some cheesecloth to make a hammock to support the fruit.
Nancy
...
Posted by victorgardener (from Lower Hudson Valley, NY) on February 5, 2008 at 1:58 PM:
Wow - quite a life of leisure for those fruit.
...
Posted by Dea (from Frederick, MD) on February 5, 2008 at 2:46 PM:
We've grown them too - man do they smell so good on a summer evening on your deck :)
...
Posted by KaperC (from No. San Diego Co., CA) on February 5, 2008 at 3:43 PM:
I think I've seen these. Can you use seeds from the fruit?
Great article, too! Got so excited I forgot to add that! :-)
This message was edited Feb 5, 2008 11:51 AM
...
Posted by grampapa (from Wheatfield, NY) on February 5, 2008 at 3:49 PM:
Yes, Dea. one of the best things about growing cataloupe...the wonderful smell :0)
...
Posted by grampapa (from Wheatfield, NY) on February 5, 2008 at 3:50 PM:
kaperc, I didn't think to save seeds. maybe someone else can answer that.
...
Posted by Sharran (from Calvert City, KY) on February 5, 2008 at 5:01 PM:
Ahhhh, something new to learn every day. I am going to have to try this. thanks.
...
Posted by fbded (from Huntsville, AL) on February 5, 2008 at 8:19 PM:
I loved your article It came at the same time I was looking for bush or container type veggies like melon cucumber bean etc. I have had almost no luck In other words where do people find the seeds for all the neat but different things they grow.
Annie
...
Posted by grampapa (from Wheatfield, NY) on February 6, 2008 at 12:51 AM:
Annie, do you get seed catalogs in the mail? If not, you can request them at most of the web sites. Bush beans and cukes aren't hard to find. If you are willing to shop online you can find more unusual seeds than you will usually find at your local garden center.
take a look at Baker Creek (a Watch Dog top 30 company)...lots of unusual heirlooms
these are not recommendations ... just did some looking around to get you started.
good luck and have fun trying some new things ...jan
...
Posted by lorettamar (from Southold, NY) on February 11, 2008 at 9:25 AM:
Jan,
I really enjoyed this article and will definately will try them. It's so hard to find cantaloupes that tase good these days. And I love miniatures.
Loretta
...
Posted by grampapa (from Wheatfield, NY) on February 11, 2008 at 11:21 AM:
Thanks, Loretta. I was kind of worried that they would have no taste, but they came thru for me. Have fun!
...
Posted by Brender (from Topsham, ME) on February 11, 2008 at 1:11 PM:
Definitely going to give these a whirl! Thanks for the info and great article.
...
Posted by Fitsy (from Hayesville, NC) on February 15, 2008 at 8:10 PM:
Thank you for this article! I LOVE cantaloupe, but the
garden I have now seems to be contaminated - the melon
plants always die. Maybe I can grow them in sterile
potting soil!!
Fitsy
If you have never heard of single-serving cantaloupe, they are baseball to softball-sized melons that are just perfect for one person to eat in their entirety at one sitting. I've never seen them in the grocery stores or produce markets in our part of the country (western New York state), but they are available in seed catalogs. The varieties seem to change from year to year as new ones are developed and old ones go out of favor. Last spring I looked online for seeds of 
This is probably also a good time to begin spraying for diseases, maybe even earlier. I am hedging here because I waited too late. My vines succumbed to some kind of wilt or disease in August. I only harvested 8 melons and I'm sure there could have been more. Because I try to use only organic methods in my garden, my choice is one of the many organic fungicides available on the market. I used VeggiePharm™, a fully organic insecticidal soap which purports to 'prevent fungal spores from traveling and maturing to disease.' (Quoted from the 
When the small fruits start to form, tie the vine loosely to the wire cage near the tiny melon. I used the hook-and-loop (Velcro™) tape that is available for plants. Another cheaper possibility is strips of nylon pantyhose. Do not use anything that will cut into the vine, such as wire twist ties.
All that was left was waiting for that first ripe 'loupe. Now, how to tell if it was ripe? It's hard enough to pick one out in the supermarket. These melons don't have the brownish 'netting' that we in the United States are familiar with on what is sold here as cantaloupes. That netting is actually typical of muskmelon, which slips easily from the vine when it is ripe. These little melons seem to be more like the true cantaloupes that are grown in Europe, although there was nothing in the description to indicate that. The seed packet says to 'harvest at forced slip.' I never did figure that out. 'Slip' means that the stem separates easily where the vine attaches to the fruit.
After trying to 'force slip' the first fruit for about a week after I thought it should be ripe, I couldn't stand it any more. I picked it on August 15th, 73 days after setting out the plants. It was served to my melon-loving husband the next day for breakfast. He pronounced it 'sweet and delicious'...everything a cantaloupe should be. And he ate the WHOLE thing!!
