About

Cucumis melo, also known as melon or true melon, is a species of Cucumis that has been developed into many cultivated varieties. The fruit is a pepo. The flesh is either sweet or bland, with or without an aroma, and the rind can be smooth (such as honeydew), ribbed (such as European cantaloupe), wrinkled (such as Casaba melon) or netted (such as American cantaloupe). The species is sometimes referred to as muskmelon. However, there is no consensus about the usage of this term, as it can also be used as a specific name for the musky netted-rind American cantaloupe, or as a generic name for any sweet-flesh variety such the inodorous smooth-rind honeydew melon.

Melon were domesticated four times independently. Research has revealed that seeds and rootstocks were among the goods traded along the caravan routes of the Ancient World.

How to grow it

The melon is an annual, trailing herb. It grows well in subtropical or warm, temperate climates. It can be found as a weed around sites of recently built airports in American Samoa.

Melons prefer warm, well-fertilized soil with good drainage that is rich in nutrients, but are vulnerable to downy mildew and anthracnose. Disease risk is reduced by crop rotation with non-cucurbit crops, avoiding crops susceptible to similar diseases as melons. Cross pollination has resulted in some varieties developing resistance to powdery mildew.

Uses

For a reference amount of 100 g (3.5 oz), a raw cantaloupe melon provides 34 calories and is a rich source (defined as at least 20% of Daily Value, DV) of both vitamin A and vitamin C; other micronutrients are at a negligible level. A raw melon is 90% water and 9% carbohydrates, with less than 1% each of protein and fat.

Other Cucumis plants

West Indian gherkin · Cucumis · Aardvark Cucumber · Cucumis hystrix · Cantaloupe · Armenian cucumber · African horned cucumber · Gooseberry gourd · Cucumis · Cucumber · Melon