CANTALOUPE HALES BEST
Description
Hale’s Best Cantaloupe/Melon Seeds 1390 Heirloom Vegetable. An open pollinated variety first developed in the early 1920’s that produces large, excellent quality melons weighing up to 1.8 kg (4 lbs) and up to 15 cm (6″) in diameter. The bright salmon coloured flesh is thick, firm and sweet. The yellowish-green rind is heavily netted and practically rib-less. This variety is ideal for local market gardeners. Best grown in soils of pH greater than 6.5 and less than 7.5.
How to Grow
35 seed/gram. Select a south facing, wind-sheltered site and sow 5 seeds 2.5 cm (1″) deep per hill. Space hills 1.5-2 m (4-6′) apart. Thin to 3 to 4 plants per hill. In short season areas, start seeds in peat/paper pots indoors 4 weeks before plant out time. Seeds need a warm soil to germinate properly. Do not sow into soil cooler than 21 C (70 F). Keep the melon vines evenly watered throughout the growing season.
LIFECYCLE
Annual
PROPAGATION
Start Indoors or Sow Direct Late Spring
DAYS TO EMERGENCE
10 to 14
LIGHT
Full Sun
GROWTH HABIT
Vining
FROST TOLERANCE
Killed by Frost
DAYS TO HARVEST
75
DEGREE OF DIFFICULTY
Easy
HERITAGE
Heirloom
FAMILY NAME
Cucurbitaceae
LATIN
Cucumis melo