Quick facts
| Arabic name | الشمام |
|---|---|
| English name | Cantaloupe (Muskmelon) |
| Scientific name | Cucumis melo |
| Family | Gourd family (Cucurbitaceae) |
| Plant type | Annual trailing vine |
| Height | Spreads 2 to 3 m on the ground |
| Water use | Medium |
Planting and harvest calendar
February to March, and August to September
May to June, and November to December
80 to 90 days after sowingTimes are general for the Saudi climate and may shift a few weeks by region: cooler in the highlands and the north, warmer on the coasts and in the south.
Description
A trailing plant with round rough leaves and yellow flowers. The round fruit has a net-like skin and fragrant orange flesh.
Where it grows
Grown in open fields and greenhouses in Al-Qassim, Hail, Al-Jouf, Riyadh, Madinah and the Northern Borders.
Soil
Warm, well-drained sandy loam.
Water and irrigation
Regular watering while growing, and less near ripening for sweeter fruit.
Climate and light
Likes heat and full sun. Planted in spring or late summer.
Propagation
By seed sown directly in the ground.
Benefits and uses
- A refreshing fruit rich in vitamins A and C
- A quick summer crop
- Profitable for farmers
- Can be grown in home gardens
Drawbacks
- Gets powdery mildew
- Fruit flies attack the fruits
- Needs a lot of space to spread
Important notes
A ripe melon smells strong and comes off the stem easily.
Sources and references
The information was collected and checked from these scientific sources:
- Plants of the World Online (POWO) - Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew: Cucumis melo
- Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF): Cucumis melo
- Wikipedia: Cantaloupe
- FAO Crop Calendar - Food and Agriculture Organization
- Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture (MEWA)
- Photo source: Wikimedia Commons (free license)