Cantaloupe (Cucumis melo) is a popular melon grown commercially or in the home garden in Belize. Cantaloupes are a member of the muskmelon family.  The fruits are considered to be pepos, part of the berry family with a hard rind and seeds contained within.  The melons are heat loving with a long growing season (81-90 days). 

Cantaloupes have been cultivated for over 4,500 years.  They are believed to have originated in Persia, then cultivated in Egypt and Iran to India, then to parts of the world with warm climates.  The melons require full sun and regular water for optimum growth to harvest. 

A simple way to grow your own without having to purchase seeds is to buy a local cantaloupe, eat and enjoy the sweet orange flesh, then save the seeds.  The seeds can be rinsed well in a fine sieve then allowed to dry for easier handling.  The seeds can be started in growing containers and transplanted when the sprouts are about 3-4 inches in length or directly planted in your garden.  Cantaloupes are tolerant of most soils as long as it is not hard clay-like soil.  The pH range is from 5-7, with 6.8 considered to be ideal. 

To plant from seed in your garden, water the soil first and allow it to dry a bit until just moist, but not soggy. Work in about ½ cup of vermiculture per hill.  Plant 2-3 seeds about ½ inch deep in hills located at least four feet apart to allow the vines to sprawl.  To plant from seedlings, it is best to plant in the late afternoon to allow the seedlings to adjust to the garden before the hot sun.  On very hot and dry days, some shade will benefit the plant's transplantation. I put our lawn chairs on top of the hills to provide shade. When the vines flower in approximately 35-45 days it is pollination time; work that is generally done by bees, it can also be done by you in your garden with a Q-tip or a very narrow paintbrush. 

Plants generally ripen to harvest in about 81-90 days.  The fruits should by raised from the earth by using straw mulch, boards or tin cans etc.  to prevent ground bugs from eating them before you do.  Some growers use trellis gardening as the vines are strong enough to support the cantaloupes. 

Unfortunately cantaloupes are prey to many kinds of insects and plant diseases.  Home gardeners can pick off some to the bugs.  A general all purpose insect and disease prevention formula is as follows:

Mix 7 TBS. Epsom salts  and 4 TBS. Borax in 5 gallons of water.  It is advised to spray when the plants begin to vine and again when the melons are about the size of a hard ball. 

Cantaloupes are ready for harvest when the skin turns from green to whitish yellow.  It is said that with a light tug the fruit separates from the vine when they are ripe. Some sniff the stem for a musty aroma.

Cantaloupes are nutritionally dense.  They contain antioxidants, collagen, Vitamins A and C and potassium.  They can be eaten after being deseeded in slices, cubes or melon balls.  They make a delicious and colorful addition to your favorite gazpacho recipe or smoothie.  Why not try a delicious chilled cantaloupe soup recipe on a hot sultry day.  The following recipe is a combination from a mix of all the wonderful recipes that are available via Google.

Recipes:

Cantaloupe is normally eaten as a fresh fruit, as a salad, or as a dessert with ice cream or custard.  The seeds are edible and may be dried for use as a snack. Cantaloupe can be pureed and used in cold soup, sorbet, ice cream, or smoothies.

Chilled Cantaloupe Soup

serves about six:

1 cantaloupe peeled, seeded and chopped

2 cups orange juice

juice of one lime

a good swirl of honey (optional)

a few dashes of cinnamon

a sprinkle of nutmeg (optional)

watermelon balls and a sprig of mint (optional)

place 1/2 of the chopped cantaloupe in a blender

add 1 cups orange juice, blend till smooth

repeat with the rest of the chopped cantaloupe

and the other cup of orange juice

dust the soup mixture with the cinnamon and nutmeg

Serve with a nest of watermelon balls and a sprig of mint

in the center of each bowl

Chill for at least one hour, then serve.  Bon appetit!