Melon - Iroquois Cantaloupe (Cucumis melo) Common Cantaloupe Melon Open Pollinated Organic - Heirloom Fruit

Melon - Iroquois Cantaloupe (Cucumis melo) Common Cantaloupe Melon Open Pollinated Organic - Heirloom Fruit

Annual

Height 18-24 in. (45-60 cm)

Iroquois melons are easy to grow at home. The grey green skin is thick and deeply ribbed, and the flesh is juicy, firm, orange colored and very sweet. Melons grow to be 7 inches by 6 inches and weigh 5-7 lbs. This early maturing variety produces good yields. This variety is great as a treat own its own or in fruit salads.

Iroquois is among the most tolerant and easiest to grow of the cantaloupe varieties. For these reasons, they are a favorite of growers in northern regions or other areas with short growing seasons. 

• Sow seeds directly in full sun in the spring when the temperature reaches 70-80 F
• OR start indoors 2-3 weeks before the last frost date; plant 2-3 seeds 1/2 in deep in pots and keep warm. Thin to the strongest plant by cutting the others. Gradually acclimatize and transplant outdoors.
• Plant in hills 4-6 ft apart with 2-3 plants per hill
• After midsummer remove blooms and smaller fruits so plants can focus energy to making larger fruits as smaller fruits will not have time to mature before season ends.
• Melons are ready for harvest after 75-90 days, or when they appear to reach their full size. As the melon ripens they become very fragrant, golden in colour and the blossom end will be soft, and the stem should come away easily.
• Harvesting seeds: place seeds into a bowl of water. Remove the floating pulp and any seeds that float to the top; viable seeds will be at the bottom. Dry on a paper towel and store in a cool dark place until use ( good for approx 5 yrs)
• This variety is wilt resistant
• These melons ship and store well for fall and winter use.
• Attracts bees, butterflies and birds
• Seed Count: 10