![]() This guide covers cantaloupe and three types of watermelon (diploid/seeded, icebox, and triploid/seedless). Both crops are annuals (with a life cycle of one year) that require a long, warm growing season.Ĭantaloupe and watermelon have many varieties producing fruit that vary in color, shape, and size. ![]() Watermelon is more tolerant of the humid climate than cantaloupe. Map showing the origin and migration of cantaloupe (orange) and watermelon (green) to the U.S.īased on the origin areas for cantaloupe and watermelon, these crops prefer hot, dry climates and can grow well in Louisiana if planted in well-drained soil. Both cantaloupes and watermelons were widely spread throughout the world by colonists and explorers (see Figure 2). Native Americans were growing this crop in the Mississippi and Illinois River Valleys during the French exploration of the U.S in the 1600s. Watermelon was largely unknown in the Mediterranean countries until introduced by the Moors in the 13 th century. Watermelons were also cultivated in China as early as the end of the 9 th century. Watermelon likely originated in tropical Africa, with production described in ancient Egyptian records more than 4,000 years ago. By 1535, cantaloupe was grown by Native Americans near Montreal. Seed was reportedly brought to the Americas by Columbus in 1494. The earliest cultivation recorded is around 2,400 BC in Egypt. Cantaloupe likely originated in the Middle East, specifically Persia (modern day Iran) or Africa. “Cantaloupe” is believed to derive from the Italian “cantaluppi”, which pays homage to the location where the first cantaloupe was introduced to Rome. Most Americans use the word cantaloupe rather than muskmelon to describe this fruit. Musk is a Persian word meaning “perfume” which refers to the fruit’s musky, sweet fragrance. Cantaloupes are often referred to as muskmelons. Melon is a general term for fruit produced by various members of this plant family and refers to netted and non-netted fruits, including cantaloupe, muskmelon, honeydew, and Asian melon. ![]() This family includes crops such as cucumber, summer and winter squash, and gourd. Cantaloupe and watermelon belong to the Cucurbitaceae plant family.Ĭantaloupe and watermelon are members of the Cucurbitaceae family, also known as the cucurbits or gourd family (see Figure 1). ![]()
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