How do you grow cantaloupe in containers?
There are compact cantaloupes, with shorter vines, and smaller fruit. The shorter vines may grow out to about 4 feet. Choose cantaloupes that resist disease, such as powdery mildew. Also, there are cantaloupes that ripen early, in about 60-70 days. Some growers start the seeds 2-4 weeks before planting time, in foam cups. Cover the tops with plastic baggies. The seeds respond to 24/7 grow lighting. Germination may take just over a week. Then take off the plastic bag. Expose the seeds to just 12 hours of grow lighting daily. Choose containers of the same diameter and depth, generally about 1-1/2 to 2 feet. Make sure the drainage will be good. Use potting soil, and perlite or vermiculite. Cantaloupes can handle compost. Water. Use slow-release fertilizer. Make sure that there will be at least 8 hours of sunlight daily.
