Description
Banana Melon is a rare heirloom favorite with unforgettable fragrance and shape. Vigorous vines produce long banana-shaped fruits up to 16-18 in. long and 5-8 lb., with smooth yellow skin, sweet salmon-orange flesh, and a rich fruity aroma that blends banana and cantaloupe.
Why Grow It
- Late-1800s heirloom melon selected for its unusual banana-like shape and rich fragrance.
- Long smooth yellow fruits can reach 16-18 in. and 5-8 lb. under warm growing conditions.
- Sweet salmon-orange flesh has a banana-cantaloupe aroma and spicy tropical flavor.
- Warm-season annual vines produce heavy yields in full sun with roomy spacing.
- Includes 25 seeds with 70 F warm-soil sowing and 7-10 day sprout guidance.
Growing Information
| Botanical name | Cucumis melo var. cantalupensis |
|---|---|
| Life cycle | Warm-season annual melon vine |
| Mature height | Vigorous sprawling vines; fruits reach 16-18 in. long and 5-8 lb. |
| Light | Full sun |
| Bloom or harvest window | Harvest about 85-90 days from sowing or transplanting, when fruit turns bright yellow and slips from the vine |
| Seed count | 25 seeds |
| Fruit color | Long banana-shaped melons with smooth yellow skin and sweet salmon-orange flesh |
| Sowing advice | Sow directly outdoors after soil warms to at least 70 F, or start indoors 3-4 weeks before last frost. Sow 1/2 in. deep, 2 seeds per hill, then thin to the strongest plant. |
| Spacing | Space hills 3-4 ft. apart in rows 5-6 ft. apart to give vigorous vines room to run |
| Germination | 7-10 days in warm, evenly moist soil at about 70 F or warmer |
Best For
- rare heirloom melon gardens
- fresh summer eating
- market novelty melons
- warm raised beds
- sprawling vine patches
- sweet tropical-fruit flavor
Packet Details
Includes 25 seeds. Store seeds cool, dry, and dark until sowing. Give vines heat, full sun, fertile soil, steady water, and enough room to develop large fruit.
FAQ
Why is it called Banana Melon?
The fruits grow long and narrow like a banana, while the aroma combines banana and cantaloupe notes.
When should I harvest Banana Melon?
Harvest when the skin turns bright yellow and the fruit slips easily from the vine. The variety usually matures in about 85-90 days.
Can I direct sow the seeds?
Yes, direct sow after soil warms to at least 70 F. In short-season areas, start seeds indoors 3-4 weeks before the last frost.
How much space do Banana Melon vines need?
Give the vines room: plant hills 3-4 ft. apart in rows 5-6 ft. apart, thinning to the strongest seedling in each hill.
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