The information on this page applies to seedlings sold by LEAF Nursery during our 2021 Seedling Sale.
Cucumis melo. Heirloom cantaloupe with aromatic tangerine sorbet flavor, developed in 1920 by a Japanese farmer in California. Heavy producer of oval-shaped fruits that average 5-6 lbs. This great variety has stood the test of time and is still loved by many for its classic muskmelon flavor.
Seed Type
| Organic | Heirloom | Non-GMO | Hybrid | Open-pollinated | Untreated |
Additional Information
| Container Friendly | Trellis Needed | Easy to Grow | Pollinator Friendly |
Planting Season
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
Growing Conditions
| Light | Temperature | Soil | Water |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full Sun | 75F+ | Fertile, well-draining soil | Avoid watering foliage |
Planting Tips
| Plant Spacing | Row Spacing | Days to Maturity |
|---|---|---|
| 12-18" (or groups of 3-5) | 6' (or groups 3-5' apart) | 86 |
- Additional instructions: Melons will thrive in warm, well drained soil high in organic matter with pH between 6.5-7.5. Sandy loam is best. Melons are heavy Nitrogen feeders.
- Harvesting instructions: Cantaloupes slip from vine when ripe. Other indicators of ripeness are when the leaf closest to fruit becomes dried and shriveled and when the stem becomes corky. Ripe melons usually keep up to 4 weeks in a cold storage.
Common Diseases and Pests
- Pests: striped cucumber beetles, squash vine borer, squash bugs
- Disease: powdery mildew, fruit rots, fusarium wilt, bacterial wilt, Cucumber mosaic virus
Useful Resources
- https://www.highmowingseeds.com/organic-non-gmo-hale-s-best-melon.html (seed source)
- http://mgsantaclara.ucanr.edu/garden-help/vegetables/vegetable-planting-chart/
- https://www.johnnyseeds.com/growers-library/vegetables/melon-growing-basics.html
If you bought this seedling and have any questions or feedback, let us know in the comment section below.