Cantaloupe – Banana

Description

Banana Cantaloupe (A.K.A. Banana Melon)

25 Seeds per pack

Days to Maturity: 80–100 Days

Sun Requirements: Full Sun

Botanical Name: (Cucumis melo)

Banana Cantaloupe is an  heirloom muskmelon first listed in 1885 by J.H. Gregory, though known to gardeners even before 1880. Popular in seed catalogs of the 19th century, this unique variety earned its name from the striking, banana-like shape of its fruit—long, slender, and pinched at both ends, often measuring 16–24 inches in length and weighing 5–8 pounds. Compact plants grow just 12–18″ tall and send out vines that spread 3–6′ wide, yielding a bountiful crop of long, banana-shaped melons.

When ripe, the skin turns a smooth, bright yellow with only the lightest netting, giving a built-in ripeness cue. Inside, the sweet salmon-colored flesh offers a flavor that combines classic cantaloupe richness with faint tropical or banana-like notes and a hint of spice. These juicy fruits emit a pleasant aroma reminiscent of ripe bananas.

Heat-loving and thriving in full-sun, Banana Cantaloupe performs well in warm climates and grows best on vining supports or well-spaced garden beds.

Its refreshing flavor and smooth texture make it perfect for fresh slicing, adding to fruit salads, blending into smoothies, or even whipping into a fruity “nice cream”—a dairy-free frozen dessert made by blending fruit, typically bananas, with melon for a naturally sweet and creamy treat. With a high water content of around 90%, it helps keep the body refreshed and replenished, making it excellent for hydration on hot days. Best enjoyed fresh, though it can store briefly if harvested at peak ripeness. Rich in vitamins A and C, along with potassium and dietary fiber, it’s a delicious summer treat!

Planting Instructions for Banana Cantaloupe Seeds

When to Plant:
Direct sow Banana Cantaloupe seeds outdoors 1 to 2 weeks after your last frost date, once the soil consistently reaches 70°F (21°C) or warmer. For shorter seasons or cooler regions, start seeds indoors 3 to 4 weeks before last frost, using peat pots or soil blocks to avoid root disturbance. Transplant outdoors after hardening off and when both soil and air temperatures are consistently warm and the danger of frost is past.

Where to Plant:
Choose a site in full sun that receives at least 8 hours of direct sunlight daily. Banana Cantaloupes thrive in fertile, well-drained soil with a pH of 6.0–7.0. Raised beds or south-facing slopes are ideal. Incorporate 2–3 inches of compost before planting. Avoid planting in areas that recently grew other melons, cucumbers, squash, or pumpkins.

How to Sow:
Sow seeds ½” to 1″ deep. If planting in rows, space seeds or transplants 18–36″ apart in rows 5–6′ apart. For hills, sow 3–4 seeds per hill and thin to the strongest 1–2 plants. For trellising, space plants 12–18″ apart along a sturdy support.

Watering:
Keep soil consistently moist through germination. Once vines are established, provide 1–2 inches of water per week. Water deeply and less frequently to encourage deep rooting. Reduce watering slightly once fruit begins to ripen to improve sweetness and avoid splitting. Avoid overhead watering to reduce the risk of mildew.

Fertilization:
Mix compost into the planting site before sowing. Additional fertilizer is typically not needed unless soil is poor. If desired, side-dress with compost tea, fish emulsion, or a balanced organic fertilizer once vines begin to spread and again when the first small fruits begin to form.

Mulching:
Once your seedlings are growing well, add mulch around the plants. Use black plastic if your goal is to warm the soil. Warmer soil helps seeds sprout faster and encourages early root and vine growth, which is especially helpful in cooler climates or early in the season. If you’re mainly trying to hold in moisture and stop weeds, straw or shredded leaves are good options, but they won’t help the soil warm up as much. Mulching also keeps the fruits clean by lifting them off the dirt and helps stop mud from splashing onto them when it rains.

Training & Pruning:
Vines can be allowed to sprawl or trained vertically. For vertical growth, support fruit with cloth slings. If desired, lightly prune some of the small side branches that grow off the main vine to help air move through the plant and let it focus energy on growing better-quality fruits. Avoid over-pruning, which can reduce flower production and sugar development.

Pollination:
Banana Cantaloupes produce both male and female flowers. Bees and other pollinators are essential for fruit set. Encourage pollination by planting pollinator-friendly flowers and herbs nearby. Good choices include borage, dill, sunflowers, marigolds, and oregano allowed to flower. These help attract bees and other insects that will visit your Banana Cantaloupe blooms. In low-pollinator areas, hand pollinate by transferring pollen from male to female blooms using a small paintbrush.

Common Pests & Diseases:

• Pests: Watch for aphids, cucumber beetles (vector for bacterial wilt), squash bugs, and vine borers. Use row covers until flowering, hand-pick pests, or apply insecticidal soap in the early morning or evening.
• Diseases: Powdery mildew, downy mildew, and leaf blights can occur. Improve air circulation, avoid overhead watering, and space plants adequately. Treat outbreaks with organic fungicides or DIY sprays (e.g., baking soda solution).

Harvesting:
Banana Cantaloupes are ready to pick when the skin turns yellow, the rind is mostly smooth with light netting, and the fruit gives off a sweet, musky smell. Gently press the end opposite the stem—called the blossom end—and it should give slightly when the fruit is ripe. If it feels mushy, the melon is likely overripe. Some Banana Cantaloupes don’t slip and need to be cut off the vine once they show these signs of ripeness. Don’t pick too early—melons will soften after picking, but they won’t get any sweeter.

Storage:
Store ripe, uncut Banana Cantaloupes at 45–50°F for up to 1 week. Once cut, refrigerate and use within 3 days. Wash melons thoroughly before cutting to avoid transferring bacteria from rind to flesh.

Seed Saving:
Saving Banana Cantaloupe seeds is an enjoyable and economical way to preserve this unique heirloom variety. Banana Cantaloupes are insect-pollinated and cross readily with other melon types, so avoid growing multiple melon varieties within ½ mile of one another.

Let the melons ripen fully on the vine. Once picked, cut them open the long way and scoop out the seeds into a jar. Add room temperature (not hot) water and let the mixture sit for 2 to 4 days, stirring it once each day to help the seeds separate. Good seeds will sink, while pulp and non-viable seeds float. Pour off the debris, rinse the good seeds thoroughly, and spread them out on a paper towel or mesh screen to dry for several days in a well-ventilated area.

Once your seeds are fully dry, you can store them in a labeled container. For longer storage, you can keep the container right in the freezer. Freezing helps protect seeds from moisture, pests, and temperature swings, especially over many months. For a quick and easy option, use our seed-saving envelopes. They’re simple to use, pre-labeled, and include spaces to write the variety, date, and any notes you want to remember. They help keep your seeds neat, labeled, and easy to find when you’re ready to plant next season. When stored properly, Banana Cantaloupe seeds can last 3–5 years.

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