How many melons can one plant produce?
Written by
Michael Sullivan
Reviewed by
Prof. Martin Thorne, Ph.D.Melon yield per plant varies greatly with variety and conditions. "Cantaloupes produce 4 to 8 fruits on a healthy vine; watermelons, 2 to 4 large fruits; and the compact varieties, such as Sugar Baby, 3 to 5 fruits." I keep tabs on these counts every year. The question of next year's count depends largely on the quality of care.
Plant Spacing
- 4 sq ft per cantaloupe plant
- 8 sq ft for watermelon vines
- Crowding reduces fruit size and count
- Proper airflow prevents disease losses
Nutrient Management
- Balanced NPK during vine growth
- High potassium feeds during fruiting
- Calcium supplements prevent blossom drop
- Excess nitrogen reduces fruit set
Pest/Disease Control
- Cucumber beetles reduce yields by 30%
- Powdery mildew cuts production in half
- Vine borers destroy entire plants
- Prevention preserves potential harvest
Strategic Pruning to: 1) Maximize Production 2) Limit Vines to 4-5 Fruits Per Plant 3) Focus Energy on Current Plants 4) Select Early and Strong Fruit Types for Full Development of Fruit and Plant Usefulness. You are not going to waste any plant nutrients.
The environment has a significant effect on yield. The plant should be provided with 8 or more hours of sunlight per day, as well as kept at a temperature of 65 degrees F or higher for optimal soil conditions. In cooler areas, I use black plastic mulch. This allows plants to produce an additional 20% over other mulches. Your plants do better with Black Plastic!
Effect on water management: Watering adequately during flowering will set more fruit. Cutting back on water before harvest will make fruits sweet. I generally use drip systems and timers. Water plants well without allowing water stress during critical points. Your fruit trees will set as many as they will carry.
The quantity of fruit produced is determined by how successful pollination has been. If there are few or no bees, hand pollinating using a soft brush is suggested. The morning hours are ideal for transferring pollen to female flowers. I routinely hand-pollinate my female flowers every 48 hours to ensure that all have been fertilized.
Read the full article: How to Grow Melons: Expert Tips for Success
