Cantaloupe
Cucumis melo
- Native to:
- Afghanistan, Angola, Australia, Chad, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Guam, Gulf States, India, Iran, Iraq, Kenya, Lebanon-Syria, Malawi, Mozambique, New Guinea, Oman, Pakistan, Palau, Palestine, Saudi Arabia, Somalia, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Sudan-South Sudan, Tanzania, U.S. Minor Outlying Islands, Uganda, Yemen, Zambia, Zimbabwe
fir0002 (en.wikipedia.org) flagstaffotos [at] gmail.com Canon 20D + Sigma 150mm f/2.8
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Cucurbitaceae
- Genus:
- Cucumis
- Species:
- Cucumis melo
- USDA Symbol:
- CUME
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Annual
- Growth Habit:
- Forb/herb , Vine
- Height:
- 50 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Full Sun
- Drought Tolerance:
- Low
- Bloom Months:
- jun,jul,aug
- Bloom Colors:
- yellow
Wildlife Benefits
- Bees:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Documented bee visitation (GBIF)
- Caterpillars:
- ★★★☆☆ Recorded caterpillar host plant (HOSTS Database)
Host Plant for Caterpillars
Alfalfa Looper (Autographa californica), Athetis miranda, Cabbage looper (Trichoplusia ni), corn earworm (Helicoverpa zea), cucumber moth (Diaphania indica-complex), dingy cutworm (Feltia jaculifera), Euxoa tessellata, Isabella tiger moth (Pyrrharctia isabella), melonworm moth (Diaphania hyalinata), Old Man Dart (Agrotis vetusta), pickleworm (Diaphania nitidalis), spotted oakworm moth (Anisota stigma), Squash vine borer (Melittia cucurbitae), stalk borer moth (Papaipema nebris), Virginia Tiger Moth (Spilosoma virginica), Western yellowstriped armyworm (Spodoptera praefica), White-lined sphinx moth (Hyles lineata), Orange Sulphur (Colias eurytheme)
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Wildlife Value:
- bees, birds
- Fragrant:
- Yes
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- rich, well-drained loamy soil
- pH:
- 6.0 - 7.5 (slightly acidic to neutral)
- Drainage:
- excellent drainage required
- Moisture:
- dry to moderate
- Notes:
- prefers warm, sunny environments
Propagation & Germination
- Stratification:
- None required
- Germination Time:
- 4–10 days
- Notes:
- Seeds germinate best at soil temperatures of 70-90°F (21-32°C). Direct sow after last frost or start indoors.
The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI