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Cantaloupe/Muskmelon
Frank J. Dainello, Extension Horticulturist
Department of Horticultural Sciences,
Texas A&M University |
Click photo to enlarge in new window. |
|
VARIETIES
| Hybrids |
Caravelle, Explorer, Montaqua, Primo, Crusier, Copo deOrio, Impak,
Gold Rush Super 45, Ovation, Hy-Mark |
| Open Pollinated |
TAM Uvalde, Perlita |
|
SOIL PREFERENCE
Adaptable to wide range of soils, optimum soil is well-drained, medium
textured, soil with 6.0 - 8.0 pH. Will tolerate heavier soils than most
other cucurbits. |
OPTIMUM GROWING CONDITIONS
Hot days and warm nights. Low soil and air temperatures can stunt growth.
Fruit maturing with temperatures below 70oF are usually poor
quality. |
ESTABLISHMENT METHODS
Direct seeded and/or transplanted
| Optimum time= |
| Spring- |
when soil temperature is >70oF |
| Fall- |
80 - 90 days prior to average first frost date |
| Seeding rate= |
3/4 - 2 lbs/A. |
| Approx seed/oz= |
1,300 |
| Seeding depth= |
0.5 "- 1" |
| Seedling spacing= |
In-row 8 - 12" single line/78 - 80" bed, or, 12 - 24" with 2 lines/78
- 80" bed. |
|
FERTILITY / FERTILIZATION
Rates presented as actual lbs/A N, P2O5 and K2O (base actual rates on
soil test results).
| Generalized rate lbs/A |
120 - 70 - 70 |
| N- |
50 - 100 lbs; 40 - 50 lbs pre-plant + 20 - 30 lbs/A; side-dress
at 2- 4 true-leaf stage, and at vining |
| P- |
60 - 100 lbs; banded approx 2" below seed at planting |
| K- |
60 - 100 lbs (most Texas soils contain adequate potassium) |
|
WATER/IRRIGATION
Moderate water demand; 15 - 20"/season(many be significantly reduced with
drip irrigation). Critical need periods - establishment and vining through
fruit netting. |
PEST MANAGEMENT
| Major Diseases |
Control |
| Downy mildew |
Acrobat, Aliette, Bravo, Gavel, mancozeb, Ridomil Gold Bravo,
Ridomil Gold Copper, Ridomil Gold MZ |
| Powdery mildew |
Bravo, Cabrio, Flint, Nova, Procure, Quadris |
| Alternaria |
Bravo, Cabrio, Flint, mancozeb, Quadris |
| Gummy stem blight |
Bravo, Cabrio, mancozeb, Quadris |
| Vine decline |
Long rotations (5 years), tolerant varieties, Scholar (drip application
only) |
| Viruses |
None |
| Nematode |
K-Pam, Telone II, Telone C-17, Vydate |
|
| Major Insects |
Control |
| Cucumber beetle |
Asana, Capture, endosulfan, Guthion, permethrin, Sevin |
| Leafminer |
Agri-mek, permethrin, Spintor, Trigard, Vydate |
| Aphid |
Actara/Platinum, Admire, diazinon, endosulfan, Fulfill |
| Pickleworm and melonworm |
Asana, Capture, Lannate, permethrin, Spintor |
| Whitefly |
Actara/Platinum, Admire, Danitol, endosulfan, insecticidal soap,
Vydate |
| Mites |
Agri-mek, Capture, Danitol, Kelthane |
|
| Weeds |
Control |
| Preplant incorporated |
Alanap, Prefar |
| Preemergence |
Command, Curbit, Prefar, Sandea, Strategy |
| Postemergence |
Alanap, Dacthal, Poast, Sandea, Select, Treflan (shielded) |
|
| * NOTE---The above
is a partial listing on controls intended as examples. Some labels may
been revoked since the publication of this guide. Refer to product labels
for specifics and use accordingly. Failure to do so may result in crop
injury, death and/or citation for law violation. Humans, animals and the
environment may also be adversely affected by misuse. |
HARVEST
| Days after planting= |
Usually harvested at the 3/4 slip stage of maturity. Fields may
be harvested 5 -10 times over a 3-week period. |
| Direct seeded- |
85 - 95. |
| Transplanted- |
70 - 80. |
| Normal method= |
Hand harvested using harvest aid machinery. |
| Containers= |
Bulk wagon |
| Grades= |
Based on fruit diameter and freedom from defects. |
| Packaging/Handling= |
Number fruit/container; 9, 12, 18, or 23/half carton(approx 38
- 41 lbs). Sometimes bulk loaded. Usually hydrocooled to remove
field heat and chlorine-treated prior to packing. |
|
STORAGE/TRANSIT CONDITIONS
32-41oF at 95% RH; 1 - 2 weeks shelf-life, freeze injury at
30oF. |
COMMENTS/PRODUCTION KEYS
- Avoid heavy clay soils having poor aeration and drainage.
- Plants are extremely cold sensitive temperature (night temperature
< 50oF stunts growth), easily injured by frost.
- Crop well adapted to plastic mulch/drip irrigation culture; results
in increased earliness, quality and percent packed out.
- Plastic mulched and drip irrigated crop responds well to fertigation.
- Extreme care required during harvesting and handling to avoid bruising
and increased decay during transit.
- Chlorine-treat fruit prior to packing and/or direct sales to avoid
potential of salmonella and cholera contamination.
- Excessive nitrogen delays maturity and reduces fruit quality.
- Moisture received after netting can reduce soluble solids and subsequent
fruit quality.
- Bright sunshine during fruit maturity enhances soluble solids and
quality. Conversely, cloudy overcast skies reduce soluble solids,
sweetness, in fruit.
|
Texas Cooperative
Extension, Horticulture Crop Guides Series
Revised November, 2003
http://aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/extension/vegetable/cropguides/cantaloupe.html
Prepared for Web delivery by Brooke Bludau, Amanda Zan, and Dan Lineberger |
