The Iroquois Cantaloupe (Cucumis melo) is a classic American heirloom melon celebrated for its rich flavor, firm texture, and excellent garden performance. This variety produces round to slightly oval melons with a deeply netted rind and sweet, aromatic orange flesh. Developed for both home gardeners and market growers, the Iroquois Cantaloupe offers consistent yields, strong vines, and natural resistance to common melon diseases.
Features
- Produces medium to large melons (4–5 lbs) with a thick, netted rind
- Exceptionally sweet and aromatic deep orange flesh
- Reliable heirloom variety bred for disease resistance
- High-yielding vines ideal for warm, sunny climates
- Non-GMO and open-pollinated for seed saving
Specifications
- Scientific Name: Cucumis melo
- Common Name: Iroquois Cantaloupe Melon
- Plant Type: Annual fruiting vine
- Growth Habit: Trailing vine (6–10 feet long)
- Fruit Size: 4–5 pounds
- Fruit Shape: Round to oval
- Flesh Color: Deep orange
- Rind Type: Thick, netted skin
- USDA Hardiness Zones: 4–11 (grown as annual)
- Sunlight: Full sun (minimum 6–8 hours daily)
- Soil Type: Well-drained sandy loam, pH 6.0–7.0
- Bloom Season: Early to mid-summer
- Harvest Season: Mid to late summer (85–90 days from sowing)
- GMO Status: Non-GMO
- Organic Status: Conventional heirloom (organic option available)
- Planting Season: Spring (after frost)
- Sowing Depth: ½ inch
- Germination Time: 7–14 days at 75–85°F
- Watering Needs: Regular watering; keep soil moist but not soggy
- Fertilization: Balanced fertilizer at planting and fruiting stages
- Spacing: 2–3 feet between plants; 4–6 feet between rows
- Pollination: Insect-pollinated
- Maintenance: Prune for airflow and remove excess fruit for larger melons
- Disease Resistance: Tolerant to Fusarium wilt and powdery mildew
- Uses: Fresh eating, fruit salads, smoothies, and summer desserts
Planting Guide
- Prepare Soil: Choose a sunny, well-drained area and enrich with compost.
- Sow Seeds: Plant ½ inch deep in warm soil after frost danger has passed.
- Watering: Keep soil evenly moist during germination; water deeply once vines develop.
- Mulch: Apply organic mulch to retain moisture and suppress weeds.
- Support: Allow vines to sprawl or train on trellises for space efficiency.
- Harvest: Pick melons when the rind turns golden-tan and the fruit slips easily from the vine.