Stage 4 – Flowering and PollinationĬantaloupe vines will start producing yellow flowers in late spring or early summer and the flowers are great for attracting bees to your garden. If you’re using a trellis, make sure that it’s sturdy so it won’t tip over under the weight of the vines.Īdd a thick layer of mulch around the base of the plants to reduce weeds and help retain moisture. If you have limited garden space you can train the vines to grow up a trellis, arbor or even a wire fence to maximize your growing space.Ĭantaloupes grow very fast in warm conditions, sending out tendrils that attach to vertical structures for support. Stage 3 – Vine GrowthĬantaloupe vines can reach 4 to 7 feet (1.2 to 2.1 metres) in length so they’ll need plenty of room to spread out. Once the plants reach 4 inches (10 cm) in height you can start fertilizing the plants with a balanced fertilizer. The seed leaves will appear first, followed by the true leaves a few days later.Įnsure that the soil is kept moist as the seedling develops. If you’re planting the seeds directly in the garden, leave at least 3 feet (90 cm) in between them or 12 inches (30 cm) if you’re using a trellis.Ĭantaloupe seeds usually take about 10 days to germinate but it may take a little longer if the soil is cool. You can start the seeds indoors in seedling trays and transplant them out to the garden or plant them directly in the garden if the temperature is above 70 ℉ (21 ℃).

Water the soil well to make sure the soil is moist all the way through, as cantaloupes need consistently moist conditions. CANTALOUPE PLANT GROWTH STAGES Stage 1 – Planting the seedsĬantaloupes are heavy feeders, so dig some aged manure or compost into your soil before planting the seeds.Ĭantaloupe seeds should be planted 1 inch (2.5 cm) deep and covered with soil.

They grow best in warm climates and the plants will need a longer growing season than watermelons.Ĭantaloupes are part of the same plant family as cucumbers, pumpkins and squash and they’re annuals so you’ll need to plant new seeds every year. Cantaloupes are a variety of melons that are ideal for growing vertically on a trellis.

Cantaloupe seedlings