The honeydew melon is not the type of melon with the strongest aroma among the sugar melons, but the fruits are still appreciated by many connoisseurs because of their sweetness and the honey-yellow color of the flesh.

Cultivation should start early

Honeydew melons are typically grown in warm locations such as Iran or the Canary Islands, which is why they are sometimes referred to as "Yellow Canary". So if you plant honeydew melons in this country and also want to harvest ripe fruit, you have to start sowing the seeds early in the spring. You will only be able to harvest fully ripened honeydew melons in late summer and autumn with good care if you prefer the honeydew melons on the windowsill from April onwards and plant them outdoors or in a greenhouse in May.

Beware of root injuries, drought and strong sun

The roots of all types of melon are relatively sensitive to any transplanting immediately after the germination phase. Therefore, when sowing, you should always put two seeds in a spring pot or in a decomposable plant pot so that the stronger plant can be left in it later and plant it out completely with the usual substrate. You should not put the young plants in the blazing sun in sunny weather in spring, but first let them get used to the stronger sunlight for a few hours by the hour. Especially when growing melons in pots, regular watering is necessary so that plump and aromatic fruits can ripen. If you have a greenhouse available, it is a good idea to grow honeydew melons in it, because it offers the plants:

  • much warmth
  • sun exposure
  • a controlled moisture balance with increased humidity
  • Protection from heavy rain and hailstones

Select the best seeds for propagation

When buying the seeds, make sure not to use hybrid varieties, as these are usually not suitable for further propagation. Otherwise, you should remove the seeds from the best fruits of healthy plants and free them from adhering pulp. Then let the seeds dry before placing them in paper bags for storage over the winter.

tips and tricks

The seeds from purchased honeydew melons are only suitable for breeding the plants if they are not hybrid varieties. In general, it is better to store seeds that you have collected yourself in paper bags than in screw-top jars, as this is a better way to prevent mold from forming.

WK

Category:

Vegetable garden