CenterCenter forfor CropCrop DiversificationDiversification CropCrop ProfileProfile CCD-CP-138CCD-CP-105

MuskmelonGinger and (Cantaloupe) Turmeric CherylMatt Ernst Kaiser1 and1 and Kristi Matt Durbin Ernst22 IntroductionIntroduction GingerMuskmelon (Zingiber (Cucumis officinale melo, Reticulatus Roscoe) and Group) turmeric is a (viningCurcuma plant longa in the) bothCucurbit have family. a long Thishistory warm-season of use in Asian,crop is African sensitive and to Caribbean cold temperatures cuisines. Freshand requires ginger isa availablefairly long year-round growing inseason the U.S. from and seed Canada to marketable from pro- ducefruit. wholesalersWhile often sourcing referred fromto as globalcantaloupes, suppliers, melons and bothwith arethe widelycharacteristic available netted in their rind dried,are actually ground musk form- thatmelons. is produced Cantaloupes from their(Cucumis underground melo, Cantalupensis rhizomes. Group) with their hard, very rough, warty rinds are Thenot grownU.S. ginger commercially crop is mainly in the U.S.grown Although in Hawaii. “musk Re-- cently,melon” some and “cantaloupe”U.S. vegetable are and both greenhouse used to describegrowers havethe melons added gingergrown andin the turmeric U.S., cantaloupe as high-value is the special more- tycommonly crops to meetused consumerterm, and demands will be forused locally in this grown crop ingredients.profile. Producers in the northeast have success- wholesale demands for specialty melons through pro- fully produced ginger in high tunnels, and experience duce auctions as well as some southern Ohio market- withMarketing ginger and turmeric production (through the 2018 ing channels. More information about marketing spe- season)Kentucky indicates fresh market both crops cantaloupes may be adaptableare sold at to farm high- cialty melons is in the Center for Crop Diversification tunnelers markets production throughout in Kentucky. the Commonwealth. Other re- profile on specialty melons. BaBy ginger tail outlets include community supported agriculture Marketing(CSA) subscriptions, roadside stands and farm mar- atMarket grocery Outlookstores. Turmeric producers should also pro- Kentuckykets. Local producers groceries haveand restaurants focused on are selling also potential directly videCantaloupe use guidelines, consumption as fresh and turmeric utilization, is not commonlycalculated tomelon consumers, markets. using Larger-scale local market wholesale channels marketslike farmers are foundby the in USDA the marketplace. as per capita Common disappearance uses include of the using to- marketsalso accessible and community for cantaloupes, supported and agriculture. some Kentucky A few thetal U.S.vegetative crop, wastops 11.1of both pounds plants in to2000. make Annual teas, andper producersgrowers have also madesell these wholesale specialty alliances crops viawith wholesale national bothcapita crops use aredeclined used into juicing.about 7 Both pounds rhizomes per capita can alsodur- marketingmelon shippers. for restaurant chefs. Some food retailers being dehydrated, 2015-17. Some pickled pricing or candied. increases offset some of focused on offering organic and local produce have the lower consumption, according to USDA; however, reportedKentucky’s sourcing produce ginger auctions, locally. especially Fairview Gingerimported and cantaloupes turmeric havenow havereceived greater attention market in share the Produce Auction in Western Kentucky and Lincoln healthas consumers and wellness grow productmore accustomed market, with to turmeric year-round at- LocalCounty farmers Produce market Auction, customers sell many and cantaloupes. CSA members Pro- tractingmelon availability. much recent Producers interest. The should FDA understand regulates howthat willducers benefit that bring from melons recipes to and auction preparation early (in suggestions June), as productssummer cantaloupemay be marketed prices can with be respecthighly variable, to claims with of forwell fresh as after ginger. peak Shelf season life (August) and storage and potentialfluctuations health dependent benefits. on Farm weather marketers in the considerationsagain in very lateshould season be conveyed(September), to mustwestern understand and southeastern the potential U.S., ramifica import- customers,often see priceas the premiums. fresh “baby” Large ginger mel- tionsvolume, of making and changing health claims consumer when prefsell-- inons its also immature sold at stage higher produced prices atin thesehigh ingerences. fresh produceCombining crops, different as associating market tunnelstwo auctions will have from different 2017-2019 requirements than did thesechannels specific and managing crops with production health benefits costs thansmaller the melons.mature gingerThere havethat isbeen available small www.uky.edu/CCDwww.uky.edu/CCD violatescan help food reduce marketing risk. regulations.

11MattCheryl Ernst Kaiser is an is independenta former Extension contractor Associate with the with Center the Center for Cro forp Diversification. Crop Diversification. 22KristiMatt ErnstDurbin is isan a independentsenior horticulturist contractor in the with University the Center of Kforentucky Crop Diversification. Department of Horticulture. Cooperative Extension Service | Agriculture and Natural Resources | Family and Consumer Sciences | 4-H Youth Development | Community and Economic Development Production Considerations Pest management Cultivar selection Bacterial wilt is the most serious disease threat to There are two general types of cantaloupes. The East- cantaloupe production in Kentucky. The bacterium ern type, which is primarily grown in Kentucky, is is transmitted by both striped and spotted cucumber large, coarsely netted, deeply sutured, and has rela- beetles; controlling this vector is essential to disease tively soft flesh. The western shipping melon is small, management. Insecticide applications are used to pro- finely netted, lightly sutured, and has firm flesh. -Can tect plants from cucumber beetle feeding beginning taloupe cultivars differ in such horticultural traits as with the day of seedling emergence or transplanting. rind texture (fine or heavy netting), flesh color (orange Other diseases of cantaloupe include Alternaria blight, or salmon), fruit size, fruit shape (round or oblong), anthracnose, downy mildew, Fusarium wilt, gummy flavor, and earliness. Disease resistance/tolerance to stem blight/black rot, and powdery mildew. Fusarium wilt, downy mildew, and/or powdery mil- dew is available in some cultivars. Growers should Site selection, crop rotation, and pre-plant weed man- select only adapted varieties that have the qualities in agement are important aspects of controlling weeds demand for the intended market. in cantaloupe plantings. Managing weeds during the growing season will be especially important during Site selection and planting the first five weeks of plant growth. Cantaloupes do best when grown on sandy or sandy loam soils that are well-drained. Medium-textured Harvest and storage soils can also be productive when good management Cantaloupes are hand-harvested at the ‘full-slip’ stage practices are followed. Planting between strips of an- if they are to be sold locally; or at ‘1/4 slip’ or ‘half- nual rye can provide windbreak protection, if needed. slip’ if they are to be held for some time before mar- Melons should not follow melons, other cucurbits, or keting or shipping. Harvesting every other day will be solanaceous crops (e.g. tomatoes, peppers, eggplant, necessary during periods of high temperatures. Mel- and tobacco) in the rotation for at least three years be- ons benefit greatly when field heat is removed either cause of potential disease problems. by hydrocooling or forced-air cooling as soon after harvest as possible. Short-term storage of melons re- Cantaloupes are usually grown as transplants in a quires temperatures of 36°F to 41°F and a relative hu- greenhouse and then transplanted to the field. They midity of 95%. can also be direct-seeded to the field; however, using transplants reduces risks and helps to produce an ear- Labor requirements lier maturing crop that will often bring much higher Labor needs per acre are approximately 15 hours for prices. Plant only certified disease-free seed. production (transplants), 72 hours for harvest, 30 hours for grading, and 10 hours for black plastic re- Raised beds covered with black plastic mulch with moval (post-harvest). drip irrigation are used to obtain higher yields and to encourage faster growth and earlier maturity. Trans- Economic Considerations plants can be planted through the plastic by making Initial investments include land preparation and the holes with a bulb setter; however, plants are usually purchase of seed or transplants. Additional start-up set using a mechanical transplanter or water wheel costs can include the installation of an irrigation sys- transplanter that will transplant through plastic. Can- tem and black plastic mulch and drip tape. taloupes have high magnesium requirements, and soil tests before planting will determine if supplemental Total pre-harvest variable costs for trickle irrigated magnesium is required through fertigation. cantaloupe are estimated at $2,293 per acre, with an additional harvesting and marketing cost of $3,700 Training plants to grow in the rows during the early per acre, including a 10% marketing commission. To- stages of development will enable an easier harvest. tal expenses, including fixed costs, are approximately Growers with large acreages should provide one to $6,500 per acre. two strong hives of bees for each acre of plants to en- sure good pollination. Since returns vary depending on actual yields and market prices, the following per acre returns to land • Vegetable Production Guide for Commercial and management are based on three different econom- Growers, ID-36 (University of Kentucky) ic scenarios. Conservative estimates represent average http://www2.ca.uky.edu/agcomm/pubs/id/id36/id36. statewide costs and returns based on UK estimates for pdf 2019. • Cantaloupe and Specialty Melons (University of Georgia, 2017) Pessimistic Conservative Optimistic https://extension.uga.edu/publications/detail.html $(551)* $1,186 $1,895 ?number=B1179&title=Cantaloupe and Specialty *Parentheses indicate a negative number, i.e. a net loss Melons • Producing Cantaloupes in Tennessee (University of Selected Resources Tennessee, 1999) • IPM Scouting Guide for Common Problems of https://trace.tennessee.edu/cgi/viewcontent. Cucurbit Crops in Kentucky (University of Kentucky, cgi?article=1008&context=utk_agexcomhort 2009) 1.8 MB file http://www.ca.uky.edu/agc/pubs/id/id91/id91.pdf Suggested Citation: • Specialty Melons (University of Kentucky, 2017) Kaiser, C. and M. Ernst. (2020). Muskmelon (Cantaloupe). https://www.uky.edu/ccd/sites/www.uky.edu.ccd/ CCD-CP-105. Lexington, KY: Center for Crop Diversification, files/specialtymelons.pdf University of Kentucky College of Agriculture, Food and • Vegetable and Melon Budgets (University of Environment. Available: http://www.uky.edu/ccd/sites/www. Kentucky, 2017) uky.edu.ccd/files/cantaloupe.pdf https://www.uky.edu/ccd/tools/budgets

Reviewed by John Strang, UK Extension Specialist, and Shawn Wright, UK Horticulture Specialist Photo courtesy of Pixabay.com October 2020 For additional information, contact your local County Extension agent Educational programs of Kentucky Cooperative Extension serve all people regardless of economic or social status and will not discriminate on the basis of race, color, ethnic origin, national origin, creed, religion, political belief, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, marital status, genetic information, age, veteran status, or physical or mental disability.