Cucumis melo var. cantalupensis 'Hearts of Gold'
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Cantaloupe or Musk Melon 'Hearts of Gold'
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Currently unavailable |
Type/Hardiness |
Annual, Vegetable, Fruit, Climber, Half hardy |
Flowering period |
Summer |
Height |
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Light preference |
Sun |
Soil preference |
Moist, free-draining |
Sowing time/depth |
Late spring, 0.5in/1cm |
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An heirloom variety, dating back to 1895, which has stood the test of time and is very suitable for growing in the UK. The fruits are ribbed, dark-green with heavy white netting and the deep-orange flesh is very sweet and fragrant. |
Sowing and/or growing instructions |
Sow late spring in moist seed compost, covering with 0.5in/1cm compost or vermiculite. Keep moist but not waterlogged and provide 20C to aid germination, which usually takes 7-10 days. Transplant seedlings into 10cm pots and grow on until large enough to pot on into larger containers or growbags (2 plants to a bag) or direct into the greenhouse border. Pinch out the tip of growth after 4 true leaves are produced, then train 4 lateral branches to the 6 leaf stage before again pinching out. Provide support for the plants to climb. Pollinate if necessary, by transferring pollen from the male flowers to the female blooms (which have a bump beneath the bloom). Feed as for tomatoes. |