Melon Seeds - Cantaloupe - Iroquois
75-90 Days to maturity. Cucumis melo. Iroquois Cantaloupe Melon Seeds. A non-GMO, annual, open-pollinated, heirloom, heat-tolerant Cantaloupe Melon. Suitable for growing in garden plots, raised beds, and greenhouses. Resistant to Fusarium Wilt. These melons ship and store well. Iroquois melons are easy to grow at home. Their skin is thick, deeply ribbed, and heavily netted with a gray-green color. The flesh is deep salmon colored. Melons grow to be 7 inches by 6 inches and weigh 5-7 lbs. One of the primary reasons for growing this variety is its outstanding sweetness and rich cantaloupe flavor. This is a great choice if you enjoy melons with a strong, musky, and sweet taste. ~1,000 seeds/oz.
Download Free Vegetable Growing Guide PDF
Growing Iroquois Cantaloupe Melon in the Vegetable Garden
Melons are not cold-tolerant at all. They require a minimum temperature of 65 for germination and around 75 for growing. According to the Royal Horticultural Society, melons should be started indoors or under row covers unless you have no winter. Plant two seeds per hole and weed out the weaker one after germination. After about six weeks, the risk of frost has passed, so harden off and plant the seedlings outdoors. Plant each seedling on a slight mound with 24 inches between plants and 4-6 feet between rows. The Iroquois variety prefers full sun and warm temperatures, so ensure they are planted in a sunny spot where they’ll receive at least 6–8 hours of sunlight daily.
Melons require well-drained, highly fertile soil with a pH of 6.5-7. Prepare the soil with compost or a balanced fertilizer before planting. Early on, they do best with high humus and nitrogen levels. During the flowering and fruiting weeks, fertilize with high phosphorus and potassium. If you live in a short growing season area, prune your vines to encourage better production. Remember to remove row covers during flowering to encourage insect pollination.
Although melons naturally sprawl along the ground, in small spaces or raised beds, you can train the vines to grow vertically on trellises or support systems. If growing vertically, be sure to provide slings to support the heavy fruit and prevent them from falling prematurely.
Harvesting Iroquois Cantaloupe Melon
The melon is ready to harvest when fragrant and easily detached from the vine with a gentle tug. Be careful not to tug too hard and damage the plant. If it doesn’t release easily, it may need more ripening time. After picking, store the cantaloupes in a cool place or refrigerate for longer storage. Iroquois melons tend to last longer than other garden-grown melons.
About Iroquois Cantaloupe Melon Garden Seeds
Iroquois is the perfect melon for midwestern and northeastern United States and Eastern Canada.
The Iroquois Cantaloupe Melon was developed in the 1940s by Dr. Henry Munger at Cornell University. The breeding focus was to create a variety that could handle the humid, hot conditions of the northeastern United States, which is why it’s so well-suited for climates with warm summers.
It’s believed that the melon was named after the Iroquois Confederacy, as it was bred in New York, where the Iroquois people are historically significant. This melon is prized for its sweetness, high sugar content, and dense, aromatic flesh.
Cantaloupes grow well alongside corn, beans, and radishes. Avoid planting them near potatoes or squash, as they may compete for nutrients and space. Marigolds, nasturtiums, and herbs like dill can help repel harmful pests like aphids and cucumber beetles.
Tips From Our Gardeners
"If you’re hoping to reduce your pesticide usage but have historically struggled with fusarium wilt in your garden, the Iroquois cantaloupe is a fantastic choice."
 |
- Lara Wadsworth, True Leaf Market Writer |
Other Resources
Iroquois Cantaloupe Melon Seeds Per Package:
- 3 g - Wholesale - Approximately 75 Seeds
- .25 oz - Wholesale - Approximately 250 Seeds
- 1 oz - Bulk Seeds - Approximately 1000 Seeds
- 4 lb - Bulk Seeds - Approximately 4,000 Seeds
- 1 lb - Bulk Seeds - Approximately 16,000 Seeds
- 5 lb - Bulk Seeds - Approximately 80,000 Seeds
Non-GMO Iroquois Cantaloupe Melon seeds are available for Fast Free Shipping on qualifying orders.
Basic Info
| Latin Name: | Cucumis melo |
| Melon Type: | Cantaloupe - Cantaloupe is a muskmelon with a scaly or 'netted' outer rind, and sweet flesh that is most commonly orange, but can also be yellow or green. The flavor can only be described as 'cantaloupe', while the odor is slightly musky. |
| Iroquois Cantaloupe Melon Color: | Grey-green skin and orange flesh. |
| Iroquois Cantaloupe Melon Flavor: | Sweet, musky, and juicy. The Iroquois Cantaloupe is known for its high sugar content. |
Growing Info
| Hardiness Zone: | 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 Annual Crop: Not Intended to Overwinter |
| Days to Maturity: | 75-90 |
| Days to Germination: | 5-10 |
| Seeding Depth: | 0.5-1 inch |
| Plant Spacing: | 24 inches in row or 2-3 plants per hill. |
| Row Spacing: | 6 Feet |
| Plant Height: | 12-15 inches |
| Growth Habit: | Sprawled, Trailing Vine |
| Soil Preference: | Melons prefer warm, well-draining but moist, nutrient-rich, loamy to sandy loam soil with a pH of 6.5 to 7.5. |
| Temperature Preference: | Warmer (70-90 F). |
| Light Preference: | Full Sun |
Other
| Direct Sow: | Yes, direct sow 1-2 weeks after your last frost date. |
| Start Indoors: | Yes. Melons may be started indoors 2-4 weeks before your last spring frost date. Wait to transplant them outdoors until at least 1 week after your last frost date as melons grow best with warm soil. Avoid leaving them in seed starting containers for long as melons are sensitive to transplanting. Harden off to reduce the effects of transplant shock. |
| Melon Pollination: | Melons require insects, such as bees, for successful pollination. As monoecious plants they produce separate male and female flowers on the same plant. This means that not every flower will develop into fruit. We recommend growing an assortment of flowers near or throughout your garden to attract pollinators. |
| Plant Spread: | 48-72 inches |
| Plant Width: | 48-72 inches |
| Growth Speed: | Mid - Ready for harvest around 80-95 days. |
| Deer Resistant: | No |
| Germination Temperature: | 70-95 F |
| Pests and Diseases: | Resistant to Fusarium Wilt. Generally, melons are commonly susceptible to pest damage by aphids, cucumber beetles, squash bugs, cutworms, white flies, and melon worms. Look for signs of chewing, curling leaves, eggs on the undersides of leaves, and leaf discoloration. Melons are also susceptible to Powdery Mildew, Downy Mildew, and Fusarium Wilt, Anthracnose, and Bacterial Wilt. Maintain a regular watering schedule that avoids overly saturated soil. The roots need adequate time to air out between watering. This will also help prevent common fungal and bacterial diseases from developing. Good air circulation and applying water to the ground rather than the leaves will help maintain healthy bean plant growth. |
| Garden Size: | Greenhouse, Garden Plot, Raised Bed |
| Melon Use: | Primarily eaten fresh, either sliced or in fruit salads. It can also be used in smoothies, desserts, or even savory dishes like prosciutto-wrapped melon. Some people also freeze the flesh for use in cold beverages or popsicles. |
| Climate Tolerance: | Heat |