HI, I want to grow cantaloupe for the 1st time, I like the really sweet large size that come from the supermarket,but want it home grown from my own organic garden.
Thanks
Cantaloupe recommendation?
Maureen, Ambrosia is an excellent melon that seems to work well in a lot of situations. That sounds a lot like the sort of thing you're looking for.
'Ambrosia', originally introduced by Burpee, is my all-time, hands-down favorite. It doesn't get large, but it's a perfect size for two, cut in half. The nice thing about 'Ambrosia' is that you know it's perfectly ripe when, with the slightest touch, it effortlessly "slips" right off the vine. No guessing by looking at the underside or thumping, etc. In fact, by the end of the day a fruit ripens, it will sometimes self-slip of the vine and sit there as if to say "I'm ready!". Wonderful aroma and absolutely delicious. If you haven't tried it, I'd agree with greenhouse_gal, that you should!
Last year, my hills of three vines each produced an average of 15 fruits per hill, with even more that didn't make it by frost.
All cantaloupes (muskmelons) slip from the vine when ripe. Ambrosia is quite popular altho for my tastes the Burpee Hybrid is better. The most popular supermarket melon in the east is Athena. If you want a really sweet melon, Sugar Queen. For that great muskmelon flavor, Supermarket, Star Headliner, Burpees Hybrid, Harper's Hybrid. The OP's Honey Rock, Hearts of Gold, Iroquois are also good. Lots of good ones out there, just pick one and try, if it it does not match your taste buds try another one. Browse through plantfiles for the highest rated ones.
Farmerdill: Really? I wasn't aware of that at all. In fact, when 'Ambrosia' was introduced, I could have sworn that it was one of the desirable traits which distinguished it from other cantaloupes. I'll be darn.
I'll have to try the Burpee Hybrid though, with your recommendation. Thanks.
Hoosier, The true cantaloupes are the Charentais melons which do not slip. The muskmelon ( which has become known as the American cantaloupe) always slips. Even the Banana melon which is more akin to an Armenian cucumber slips. This is Supermarket, my favorite, but hard to find. Wetzel still carrys it.
This message was edited Feb 20, 2010 12:21 PM
This message was edited Feb 20, 2010 12:22 PM
One is never too old to learn something new! Thanks for the valuable info!
Thank you all for this very helpful info. I really apprecaite it.
I will try 2 different kinds this summer, probably supermarket and athena.
Farmerdill - i'm trying to find Wetzel to order "supermarket" melon, but i'm not findin their website when I google them. Do you know if they have a website?
thanks
http://www.wetsel.com/ http://www.merrifieldgardencenter.com/products.php?openparent=209&pid= For small amounts Merrifield does internet vending. In northern Virginia lots of locals carry Wetzel seed racks.
Thanks Farmerdill - I found merrifield has them - only problem is that i only found 3 packs of seeds i want including supermarket and the shipping is like 6.00. I'm hoping to find a few of these seeds for trade. If you or anyone else here would have a few (like 5 seeds) to share or trade, I would really appreciate it).