Southeastern U.S. Vegetable Crop Handbook - 2021 - 83

Melon Types. There are many categories of specialty melons, all
members of the cucurbit (Cucurbitaceae) family. The scientific
name for specialty melons which includes cantaloupes is Cucumis
melo. Cucumis melo is subdivided into several botanical variants
but only two variants, reticulatous and indorous have commercial
importance in the Southeastern United States.
The most important reticulatous melon grown in the Southeastern
United States is what is commonly called cantaloupe or
muskmelon. Cantaloupes are typically separated into two categories;
eastern and western. The eastern type cantaloupe varieties,
with limited netting and deep sutures, have traditionally been
grown for the local market as many have a short shelf-life and
bruise easily during shipping. Improved eastern varieties such
as 'Athena' have a longer shelf-life and can be shipped to distant
markets. The western cantaloupe has a uniform netted rind but
lacks sutures. Although the western type cantaloupe has traditionally
been grown in western states, there are varieties suitable for
commercial production in the Southeastern United States. While
eastern type cantaloupe are typically harvested when the fruit stem
pulls easily away from the fruit (full-slip), western type cantaloupe
are harvested when the fruit stem partially pulls free (half-slip).
The Galia melon is another reticulatous variant grown in the
Southeastern United States. When mature the Galia melon has a
yellow to orange skin that is covered in light golden-tan netting.
The aromatic flesh is pale green and has a distinct sweet flavor.
Galia melons are unfortunately prone to rapid softening and consequently
most varieties are more suited for local markets.
Within the indorous variant there are two notable melons
grown in the Southeastern United States, Honeydew and Canary
melons. Of these two the Honeydew melon is the most widely
grown. Although the rind color of Honeydew can vary among varieties,
typically the rind turns from green to whitish yellow as it
matures. Unlike cantaloupe, the honeydew fruit does not slip from
the vine when mature. The very sweet flesh of a mature honeydew
is pale green with the deepest shade occurring immediately below
the skin. Honeydew fruit are susceptible to cracking or splitting
due to the uneven, high moisture conditions found in the Southeastern
United States. Several new varieties have helped lessen
this problem.
The Canary melon, also marketed as the Juan Canary, is an
indorous variant. The Canary melon is oval-shaped, with a smooth
bright yellow skin. The canary like the honeydew does not slip
from the vine. When mature the canary will turn dark yellow and
develop a slightly corrugated skin appearance. The flesh is a pale
ivory in color and slightly firmer than honeydew. A distinct advantage
of the Canary melons is that they have a very long shelf-life
and can be shipped to distant markets.
Transplant Production. Plug flats which provide a cell depth of
1.5 inches are optimal for melon transplant production. Although
plug flats with larger cells can be used a 200-Square plug flat provides
ample room for root growth. Although varieties may vary in
transplant production time, under ideal conditions 2 to 3 weeks is
enough time for transplant production.
Planting and Spacing. Consult the following Melon Planting
Dates table for suggested planting dates in your area. Early season
annual temperatures can vary tremendously so be aware that temperatures
below 45°F will slow or stunt plant growth.
2021 Vegetable Crop Handbook for Southeastern United States
Melon plant recommended row and in-row spacing can vary depending
on the production method and equipment. The use of
plastic mulch and drip irrigation allows for a closer row and in-row
spacing compared to bare ground production. A typical planting
scheme for plasticulture production will have rows spaced 5 to 6
feet with in-row spacing of 1.5 to 2 feet. For bare ground production,
in-row spacing will need to be wider, 3 to 4 feet. An average
of 10 to 12 ft² per plant for plasticulture production is typical while
on bare ground 15 to 24 ft² per plant should be adequate.
MELON PLANTING DATES
Spring
AL North
AL South
GA North
GA South
KY East
KY Central
KY West
LA North
LA South
MS North
MS South
NC East
NC West
SC East
SC West
TN East
TN West
4/15-6/15
3/1-6/30
4/15-6/15
3/1-4/30
5/15-6/15
5/10-7/1
4/25-7/15
4/1-6/30
3/15-6/30
4/1-4/10
3/1-3/15
4/15-5/15
5/15-7/31
3/15-5/15
4/15-6/5
5/5-6/15
4/15-6/1
Fall*
8/1-8/30
8/1-9/15
NR
8/1-9/15
NR
NR
NR
7/1-7/31
7/1-8/15
NR
NR
7/1-7/15
NR
7/1-7/30
NR
NR
NR
*Use transplants for later season plantings.
Nutrient Application. A soil test to determine soil pH and nutrient
availability is critical for commercial production of melons. Soil
pH should be adjusted to 6.5. Pre-plant nutrient application should
provide at least 25 pounds per acre of N and K2
0 and all the P2
O5
recommended by the soil test results. Applied nutrients should be
thoroughly incorporated into the soil to reduce root damage to the
melon transplants. Follow soil test results for minor nutrient application
such as boron and sulfur.
Drip Fertigation. Liquid nutrient application through the drip tape
(fertigation) should begin at or shortly after transplanting or direct
seeding melons. Suggested fertigation schedules, based on plant
growth stage, are provided in the below tables. Continue fertigating
until the last harvest.
SUGGESTED FERTIGATION SCHEDULE FOR MELON*
(low potassium soil)
Daily
Plant growth
stage
Preplant
Planting to Vining
Vining to Flowering
Flowering to Fruit Set
Fruit Set to Ripening
Harvest
0-14
14-28
29-49
50-77
78-91
0.9
1.0
1.5
2.0
1.0
1.0
2.0
3.0
4.0
2.0
Days after
planting
nitrogen
Daily
potash
Cumulative
Nitrogen Potash
(lb/A)
25.0
32.0
46.0
76.0
130.0
143.0
50.0
64.0
92.0
152.0
260.0
286.0
83
Southeastern U.S. Vegetable Crop Handbook - 2021

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