Overview

The cantaloupe is technically a type of muskmelon that is thought to have originated in the region of Armenia. From its birthplace, this rotund fruit has traveled many miles, moving to Italy and eventually North America via traders and sailors who took seeds along with them on their journeys. Depending on where one is in the world, cantaloupes may vary in color and size; however, most varieties in the US are green and orange in color when ripe and approximately 3 to 15 pounds, although some varieties can grow even larger under the correct circumstances.

The Minnesota Midget is an early ripening melon that stays diminutive and is therefore a great variety for gardeners with cool climates and/or limited space. Each 4″ diameter melon will only weigh 1–2 pounds, making it a good snacking option for one or two people. Fruits have shallow ribbing and yellow-orange flesh, with vines only growing to 3–4 feet in length. You can easily use a trellis to train your plant vertically, making it possible to grow on a balcony or patio. Sweet taste, thin rinds, strong flavor, and resistance to Fusarium wilt round out the list of reasons to pick this little melon for your garden.

  • Botanical Name: Cucumis melo
  • Plant Type: Fruit
  • Variety: Minnesota Midget
  • Growth Cycle: Annual
  • Season(s): Spring Summer Fall
  • Climate Zone(s): 3a 3b 4a 4b 5a 5b 6a 6b 7a 7b 8a 8b 9a 9b 10a 10b 11a 11b
  • Light: Full Sun
  • Soil Type(s): Loamy Sandy
  • Yield: 3–18 lbs per plant
  • Garden Dimensions: One plant per 2–3 square feet
  • Germination: 5–10 days
  • Maturity: 60–70 days
  • Harvest: 60–90 days

Cultivation

Propagation

Seed:
Seed Depth: 1/2″
Space Between Plants: 12–24″
Space Between Rows: 3–4′
Germination Soil Temperature: 65–80°F
Days for Germination: 5–10
Sow Indoors: Not recommended since they don’t transplant well. If you have a short growing season, start 4–6 weeks before average last frost date, using biodegradable paper or compostable pots which can be directly planted after removing the bottoms.
Sow Outdoors: 1–2 weeks after average last frost date.

Climate

Grows best in hot weather and loves climates with long summers. Temperatures of 90°F and above will result in the sweetest fruit. This variety will ripen more quickly than others and is a good choice for climates with short growing seasons. Not frost tolerant.

Light

Natural: Full sun.

Artificial: Grows well under HID lamps. Needs at least 6–8 hours of light daily; however, more is better.

Growing Media

Soil: Prefers well-drained, sandy to loamy soils. A pH between 6.0 and 7.0 will keep plans healthy and nourished.

Soilless: Start seeds in a soilless mix or mineral wool to allow for easy transplanting.

Hydroponics: Thrives in a variety of hydroponic systems, including NFT and media-based systems. Use perlite as your growing medium.

Aeroponics: Thrives in aeroponic systems.

Care

Water: Requires moderate to high levels of water in the beginning of its life cycle and low amounts during ripening. Aim for 1–2″ of water per week during growing periods. Reduce the amount drastically once fruit is about 2–3″ in diameter to prevent splitting or bland-flavored fruits. If leaves appear wilted early in the morning, water plants deeply, but don’t be worried by mid-day wilting: this is natural and doesn’t mean your vines have issues. Use a drip system or carefully hand water to avoid getting leaves wet.

Nutrients: Requires high levels of nutrients. Cantaloupe needs more phosphorus and potassium than nitrogen, which would promote leafy growth at the expense of fruiting. Amend soil with aged manure or compost before planting.

Foliar: Will benefit from a feeding of compost tea or liquid seaweed when fruit begins to form. Foliar potassium will also help fruits to be more firm and sweeter. A spray of potassium bicarbonate and thyme oil will help to reduce foliar disease.

Pruning: Once fruit starts to form, pinch back the end buds of your vine. This will send the plant’s energy directly to the fruit rather than to new vegetative growth.

Mulching: Use a hay or grass mulch to warm the soil, allowing you to start earlier and extend your growing season. Mulch will also conserve soil moisture and suppress weeds. Keep ripening fruit that is growing on the ground off the soil using a brick or mulch.

Support: For small spaces, plants can be grown vertically using a trellis. Support the fruit using slings if growing this way. This method of growing is a definite hit when having friends over to the garden!

Troubleshooting

Pest(s):

  • Aphids
  • Cabbage loopers
  • Caterpillars
  • Cucumber beetles
  • Cutworms
  • Flea beetles
  • Nematodes
  • Squash borers
  • Stink bugs
  • Thrips

Disease(s):

  • Anthracnose
  • Bacterial wilt
  • Charcoal rot
  • Downy mildew
  • Gummy stem blight
  • Leaf spot
  • Mosaic virus
  • Powdery mildew
  • Southern blight

Deficiency(s): A potassium or phosphorus deficiency will cause slow growth and reduced yields.

Rotation and Companion Plants

Rotation: A 3- or 4-year rotation away from all plants in the cucumber family is recommended.

Companions: Grows well with corn and watermelon. You can leave a strip of rye cover crop between rows to serve as a wind block. Avoid potatoes.

Harvest and Storage

Harvest: Vine-ripened melons will have the best and sweetest flavor and are usually ready in mid- to late-summer. Look for melons with tan skin, a fruity scent, and a small crack on the stem near where it attaches to the fruit. Vine tendrils will start to die and dry up when fruit is ready. Cut the fruit from the vine using a sharp knife. Don’t wait until the fruits detach themselves: at that point, they are probably overripe.

Storage: Store whole melons at room temperature for 5–7 days. Once cut, keep it in the refrigerator covered in plastic for 3–4 days.

Other Info

History: The Minnesota Midget melon was developed in the 1940s by the University of Minnesota in St. Paul and first sold by the Farmer Seed Company in 1948.

Consumption

Preserve and Prepare

Preserve: Canning cantaloupe jam or preserves will keep a bountiful harvest edible and delicious long-term.

Prepare: Usually eaten fresh, sliced, or in fruit salad. Cut melons and remove the seeds from the inner cavity before serving.

Benefits

Nutritional: Provides vitamin C, beta carotene, and potassium. Also a good source of phytochemicals.

Medicinal: Traditionally used for cleansing body and skin. May be helpful for managing heart disease due to the anticoagulant it contains, and high blood pressure due to its potassium content. Researchers are also investigating cantaloupe for potential anti-cancer properties.

Culinary

Keep it simple and highlight the amazing flavor of your mini-melons with this 3-Ingredient Cantaloupe Smoothie recipe.

Resources

Helpful Links

Wikipedia

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