The Cucumis melo , melon commonly called, is a herbaceous whose fruit is popular worldwide for its sweet taste and juicy texture. However, there are a large number of varieties or types of melons . For example, most melons can be classified into whether they are winter or summer. While the latter are highly aromatic and spoil quickly, the former have smoother rinds and are less perishable.
In this article we are going to mention which are some of the most common and, in addition, we will see what general guidelines to follow to learn how to grow melons in the garden or orchard.
Cantaloup
They are of American origin and the most produced in the whole world, even in private gardens. For example, its use is very typical for desserts and main dishes, as well as to make smoothies or shakes. Its skin is thickly reticulated and its pulp is orange , like a salmon hue, very aromatic and sweet.
Toad skin melon
The Piel de Sapo melon is one of the most popular summer melons . This is one of the types of melons with little aroma, but with a great sweet and intense flavor when well matured. It is grown, above all, in Castilla La Mancha (Spain).
Yellow melon
It is very similar to the skin of the toad melon, with a crunchy texture and very sweet pulp. It is also known as winter melon and is divided, in turn, into two types of melons: the golden yellow melon and the canary yellow melon .
Gaul
The Galia melon is of Israeli origin, although it is currently consumed throughout the world. It is quite spherical in shape, with a rind that ranges from green to yellow, especially when the fruit is more mature. The pulp of this type of melon can be white, yellow or orange and has a somewhat buttery texture .
Branco or white melon
It is named for its pale color, as its name means “white” in Portuguese. It is the predominant summer melon in the Ribatejo area, in Portugal, and it is also widely consumed and cultivated in Turkey. They are large melons .
Hami or Chinese melon
These melons, with an intense yellow color , are the most common in the area of Asia that goes from Korea to India, with China being their main consumer and producer. It is the predominant melon in this area and, therefore, this yellow and sweet fruit is also known as Chinese melon .
Arus or Japanese melon
This variety, the predominant one in Japan, has grayish skin with marked writing on the surface, reminiscent of the skin of the sapo melon or cantaloup, but more marked. This is known as a Japanese melon and it is very sweet , as it is very rich in sugars.
Yubari melon
The melons Yubari have been in some periods the most expensive fruit in history and although currently still have a high price, they are far from the $ 100,000 that came to pay for some. To take care of their special flavor and sweetness, they are grown with individual hats to protect each of the fruits from the sunlight. Another marked characteristic is that its pulp is orange .
How to grow melons
If you want to enjoy large and tasty melons, follow these recommendations that we give you to grow melons at home in an optimal way.
Light
The melon is a plant that needs a great contribution of light, as well as a warm and stable temperature. However, if you live in a tropical or extremely hot area, you will do well to avoid direct sunlight to the plant during the harshest hours of the day. Find a location where the plant receives light during the afternoon, and if there are very cold days, cover it with some plastic or fabric that acts as a greenhouse.
Watering the melons
Since the fruits of the melon have a large amount of liquid, it is normal that the plant requires a lot of water to be able to develop large and tasty melons. In the hot months, water your melons daily, ensuring that the soil of the plant never becomes too dry, although always without waterlogging. In the cold months, reduce the irrigation doses so that the soil does not overcool, which would damage the plant.
Fertilizer for melons
The melon also needs a soil rich in organic matter. Therefore, in the months when the plant is active, fertilize it with compost or worm castings once a month or every 15 days. In cold months, you can cut your fertilizer in half.
If you like to prepare your own materials for horticulture or gardening, do not hesitate to make your own compost.
Plagues and diseases
This plant can be quite prone to being attacked by insects and pests. Using hydrogenated compost before the rainy season can help prevent these attacks. If your melons still show signs of plague, use natural insecticide according to the specific species.
