The honeydew melon, also known as the garden strawberry, is one of the two major common cultivars in Cucumberaceae family. It’s characterized by the fleshy smooth rind and absence of sweet musky scent. The other important cultivar in the Cucumberaceae family is the wrinkle rind cucumber. It has a long rhizome with a sharp hook on each end. This cucumber mainly grows in Central America and in Asia. It’s a low yielding vine with heavy woody stem and fleshy leaves.
Honeydew melons are useful for drying, pickling and juicing. These are ideal for making jams and jellies, although they don’t taste very good. To make jams, you need to remove all the rind. You can then use the honeydew melons pulp or extract to make your own preserves.
The honeydew plant is hardy and doesn’t require much care. However, it’s important to provide adequate soil and water to ensure a healthy growing condition. The plant will tolerate minor pruning but if you want to take the plant away from its natural position to harvest the fruit, you’ll have to prune the entire bush. If you’re growing the plant in containers, you should provide similar care to that of an indoor plant.
While planting honeydew plants, it’s necessary to provide them with a good growing environment. Since melons have thick, woody stems, it’s most beneficial to plant them in well-drained soil. You could use a simple potting soil mix or purchase a pre-composted one. Don’t forget to line the bottom of your container with some gravel or sand to ensure proper drainage. Place the seeds in one of your four rows and plant the seedlings in at the base of the row cover.
As the melons ripen, they’ll turn from green to brown. This process doesn’t take long. You’ll notice that the seeds are now slightly yellow. Allow the melons to fully ripen between two and five days before picking. Harvest the melons just before they turn brown and drop the seeds. This ensures that the plants develop fully and the melons are of optimum quality.
The best way to cultivate honeydews is to grow them inside, but you can also grow them outdoors. Keep in mind that warm weather is vital for honeydew growth. Planting outside ensures that the plants get the full sun they need. If you’re growing honeydews indoors, use a cool house to prevent frost. Water the plants well after they have finished producing fruit.