How to Grow Cantaloupe (Muskcantaloupe) From Seeds At Home

1. How to Germinate Cantaloupe Seeds

The first step in growing cantaloupe from seeds is to germinate the seeds correctly. Here’s how I do it:

• Preparation: Choose good, healthy F1 seeds with a high germination rate, warm water, and cloth to maintain moisture.

• Germinating Seeds: Soak the seeds in warm water for 4 to 6 hours. Then, use a cloth to wrap the seeds. After 24 hours of wrapping, when the seeds start to crack, place them in a seedling tray.

• Next, prepare the seedling trays—these can be cups, pre-made trays, or bags—with a growing medium consisting of coconut coir (remove the coir to get the fine coconut fiber), well-rotted manure, mixed in a ratio of 8 parts soil to 2 parts manure (if using chicken manure, use 1 part). Mix well.

• Then, fill the trays with this mixture and place the germinated seeds in the soil, covering them with a thin layer of soil.

• After 8 to 10 days, when the seedlings develop 2 to 3 true leaves, they are ready for planting.

2. How to Plant Cantaloupe  from Seeds in Pots at Home

After germinating the seeds as mentioned above, proceed to plant cantaloupe  seeds at home as follows:

2.1. Preparing Pots and Soil

• Use Styrofoam boxes, plastic containers, or large fabric bags (to allow the plants enough space to grow and obtain nutrients when they mature and bear fruit).

• Use loamy soil, alluvial soil, etc. (that has been broken down and treated with lime powder and left to dry for 3 to 4 days to eliminate pathogens and harmful microorganisms).

• Growing Medium: Processed coconut coir and rice husks.

• Fertilizer: Earthworm castings, cow manure, and chicken manure that has been processed and decomposed.

2.2. How to Plant Cantaloupe  Plants

• Mix the following in a ratio of 50% soil, 30% coconut coir, 20% fertilizer (10% for chicken manure), and 10% rice husk, and fill the prepared pots or bags.

• Create a hole in the soil, then cut the plastic bag or cup of the seedling tray, gently placing the entire seedling tray into the hole and packing the soil around it.

• After planting, water the seedlings twice a day, once in the early morning and once in the evening, and provide shade for the seedlings during sunny weather.

Note: It is advisable to plant in the evening to help the seedlings adapt to the heat and take root easily.
>>>Read More: How to Grow Avocado from Seed At Home

3. How to Fertilize and Create a Support Structure for Cantaloupe  Plants

Once you successfully plant the cantaloupe s as described above, proceed to fertilize, care for, and create a support structure as follows:

Fertilizing: 

• Fertilize the plants when they have developed 4 to 5 true leaves, once every 8 days.

• Fertilize again when the plants start to flower and bear small fruit.

Creating a Support Structure:

• When the plants have 5 to 6 true leaves, create a support structure for the cantaloupe s.

• You can stake them or use nylon string to tie them gently to a trellis.

• Since cantaloupe s can be large and heavy, be mindful of how you support the fruits to prevent them from breaking the stems.

4. How to Prune and Pollinate Cantaloupe  Plants

A crucial step in growing cantaloupe s from seeds is pruning and pollinating. Here’s the advice we offer:

• When the plants have 5 to 6 true leaves, prune off all the lateral branches, keeping them only when the plants reach the eighth leaf.

• 3 to 5 days after flowering, you should pollinate to achieve the best quality. If the number of flowers is low, you can hand-pollinate by taking male flowers, removing the petals, and swirling them around the stigma of the female flower. If you fear there isn’t enough pollen, you can use 2 to 3 male flowers for each female.

• Avoid touching the female flowers (to prevent bruising or breaking).

• When the plant has 22 to 25 leaves, pinch off the top to focus the plant's energy on fruit development.

Note: If there are too many flowers set, it’s advisable to thin them out, leaving only about 2 to 3 fruits per plant to ensure the quality and yield do not decrease.

With this method of growing cantaloupe s from seeds, you can expect to harvest in 75 to 80 days. Additionally, when the fruit ripens, it will turn a creamy white or yellow color, emit a sweet aroma, and have clear netting. Seven days before harvest, you should stop watering to ensure the cantaloupe s are crisp and sweet!