Cantaloupe

A Cantaloupe (Cucumis melo, or Cucumis melo reticulatus), also spelled cantaloup, also called muskmelon and rockmelon, is a variety of round melon with firm, orange, moderately-sweet flesh and a reticulated beige to light-brown rind. Varieties with redder and yellower flesh exist, but are uncommon, and are not considered to be as flavorful as the more common orange variety. Cantaloupes belong to family Cucurbitaceae, which includes nearly all melons and squasheses. Cantaloupes may range in size from 7-12 cm in diameter, but typically exceed 12 cm in diameter. Specimens larger than 20 cm and weighing several pounds have been recorded. Like all melons, cantaloupes grown best in sandy, well-aereated, well-watered soil that is free of encroaching weeds.

For commercial plantings, one hive per acre is the minimum recommendation by the US Department of Agriculture for pollination. Good pollination is important, not only for the number of fruits produced, but for the sugar content of these fruits.