When should I plant Imperial 45 cantaloupe seeds?
Sow after all danger of frost once soil is warm at 70F or above, or start indoors 3-4 weeks early in peat pots. Melons are very frost-sensitive and love heat.
How long until Imperial 45 cantaloupe is ripe?
This melon matures in about 80-90 days. It is ripe when the netted rind turns tan and the fruit slips easily from the vine with a light tug.
How far apart should I space cantaloupe plants?
Grow in hills of 2-3 plants spaced 4-6 feet apart, giving the vines plenty of room to run. Good spacing improves airflow and reduces disease.
How much sun does Imperial 45 need?
Cantaloupe needs full sun, 8 or more hours a day, and warm, well-drained, fertile soil. Steady warmth and consistent moisture produce the sweetest fruit.
Can I grow Imperial 45 cantaloupe in cooler regions?
It performs best where summers are long and hot, but northern gardeners can succeed by starting seed indoors and using black plastic mulch to warm the soil.
How many seeds are in the packet and are they heirloom?
The packet contains about 75 seeds of this open-pollinated, non-GMO variety, so you can save seed from your best-tasting melons.
Can I grow cantaloupe in a short season?
Start seeds indoors and use black plastic mulch to warm the soil; this variety needs consistent warmth to ripen fully.
How do I know it's ripe?
The fruit will "slip" from the vine with light pressure and smell fragrant at the blossom end.
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