Questions and Answers

Q. Why do the first blossoms drop off my muskmelon plants?

A. The first flowers to appear on the vines are male, and they drop naturally. The female flowers, which open later, have a swelling at the base that forms the fruit. After bees pollinate these female flowers, the fruit develops.

Q. What causes poor (sparse) fruit set and low yields?

A. The failure for female flowers to set and develop melons can result from lack of proper pollination by bees; cool, wet weather (which also slows bee activity); and planting too close together, resulting in a dense, heavy growth of leaves (which also can suppress effective bee activity).

Q. How can I grow muskmelons in a small garden?

A. Muskmelon plants can be trained to a fence or trellis. Soon after the fruits begin to enlarge, they should be supported with mesh bags tied to the supporting structures or their weight may damage the vines.

Q. Do muskmelons cross-pollinate with other vine crops?

A. No. Muskmelons do not cross-pollinate with cucumbers, watermelons, squash or pumpkins. Different varieties of muskmelons cross-pollinate readily, but this cross-pollination is not evident unless seeds are saved and planted the following year. Cross-pollination does not make melons bitter.

Q. What causes poor flavor and lack of sweetness or fruits with smooth rinds?

A. Poor soil fertility (especially low potassium), cool temperatures, wet or cloudy weather, choosing a poorly adapted variety, loss of leaves by disease or picking the melons before they are ripe can all contribute to poor quality.