No. The supplied source name is only ‘Delicious’. Seed companies sell ‘Delicious 51’ and ‘PMR Delicious 51’, but name similarity does not prove that this lot matches either selection. This profile therefore retains ‘Delicious’ and uses maturity ranges published for ‘Delicious 51’ only as cautious guidance. It promises no powdery mildew resistance or fruit weight specific to another line. Keep the original packet and record days, shape, weight, rind pattern, and flesh colour. If the supplier later confirms a complete identity connected to the lot, the profile may be updated. Until then, unsupported resistance and lineage fields remain blank.
Sale
Sold out
Warm-season annual fruiting vine
Cucurbitaceae
Organic fruiting vegetable seeds
Organic ‘Delicious’ cantaloupe (Cucumis melo ‘Delicious’)
Cucumis melo ‘Delicious’
‘’s Orange’ is an indeterminate heirloom cantaloupe known for large orange beefsteak fruits weighing 227 to 454 g (8 to 16 oz). Their juicy flesh combines pronounced sweetness with gentle acidity, making the cantaloupes especially enjoyable sliced, in salads, layered into sandwiches, or prepared as a fresh sauce. The vigorous plant can reach 1.5 to 1.8 m (5 to 6 ft) and requires sturdy support, full sun, and fertile, well-drained soil. Started indoors before the last frost, then transplanted after gradual hardening, this variety is well suited to Quebec vegetable gardens and large containers placed in a warm, brightly lit location.
Quantity
About 25 seeds
Exposure
Full sun
Difficulty level
Moderate
Discover the plant
Family
Cucurbitaceae
Genus
Cucumis
Species
melo
Cultivar
Delicious
Type
Warm-season annual fruiting vine
Cycle
Annual
Organic ‘Delicious’ cantaloupe (Cucumis melo ‘Delicious’) is a warm-season annual vine grown for fragrant orange-fleshed fruit. The workbook and commercial profile confirm the name ‘Delicious’ but not the more specific ‘Delicious 51’ or ‘PMR Delicious 51’; no resistance associated with those selections is therefore promised. Ripe fruit may be served fresh, in salads, salsa, or chilled soup. In Quebec, success depends on a very sunny site, rapidly warmed soil, and a sufficiently long season. Sources devoted to ‘Delicious 51’ often indicate approximately 75 to 90 days; this range serves only as cautious guidance. Actual harvest timing depends on heat, transplant age, pollination, and plant health.
Start seed indoors three to four weeks before last frost in individual pots to limit root disturbance. Sow approximately 1.5 to 2.5 cm deep and keep the medium warm. Harden plants gradually, then transplant only after soil has warmed and nights remain reliably mild. Space plants approximately 60 to 90 cm apart in fertile loose well-drained soil in full sun. Black mulch or horticultural fabric may warm the soil. Water regularly at soil level during vine growth, flowering, and early fruit development without saturating the ground. Allow room for spreading vines or guide them onto a strong trellis capable of supporting developing fruit.
Male flowers usually appear before female flowers; bees and other pollinators provide fruit set. Avoid insecticides during bloom and protect young plants from cucumber beetles until flowers appear. Place fruit on a board or dry surface to limit contact with wet soil. As maturity approaches, look for strong fragrance, a change in background colour, and easy stem separation when that trait is present. Harvest in the morning, cool promptly, and refrigerate cut fruit. Remove rotting tissue and rotate with unrelated crops. Wash the rind before cutting so the knife does not transfer soil or microbes to the flesh, and discard fruit with decay or uncertain storage history.
Planting guide
From planting to establishment.
Planting depth
Approximately 1.5 to 2.5 cm (1/2 to 1 in)
Spacing / density
Approximately 60 to 90 cm (24 to 36 in) between plants
Establishment temperature
27 to 29°C (80 to 85°F)
Establishment time
7 to 14 days
Best planting time
Transplant after the last frost, once the soil has warmed and nights remain above approximately 10°C (50°F).
Propagation
Seed
Growing method
Sow ‘’s Orange’ indoors six to eight weeks before the expected last frost. Use clean, moistened seed-starting mix and place seeds 6 to 13 mm (1/4 to 1/2 in) deep. Maintain the mix at 27 to 29°C (80 to 85°F) until emergence, generally in 7 to 14 days, without keeping it waterlogged. As soon as shoots appear, remove the cover and provide strong light for an extended period each day to produce stocky plants. Move seedlings into individual containers once true leaves have formed, handling the roots carefully. About ten days before planting, gradually acclimate plants to direct sunlight, wind, and outdoor temperatures. Transplant after all frost danger has passed into warmed, fertile, well-drained soil, spacing plants 90 to 120 cm (36 to 48 in) apart. Install a sturdy cage or stake immediately. Water deeply at soil level, add mulch after the ground has warmed, and tie long stems as required. Maintain balanced nutrition and inspect foliage and developing fruit regularly throughout the season. Remove leaves that touch the ground, direct irrigation beneath the canopy, and harvest ripe cantaloupes promptly. These practices improve air movement, reduce soil splash, and keep the vigorous plant manageable until cool autumn weather ends production.
Soil and care
The right conditions.
Exposure
Full sun
Soil pH
Approximately 6.0 to 6.8
Minimum temperature
10°C (50°F)
Watering
Water deeply at soil level while vines establish, bloom, and develop young fruit. Maintain steady moisture without waterlogging soil; alternating drought and excess water may cause stalled growth, cracked fruit, or uneven quality. Mulch limits evaporation and keeps fruit cleaner. Avoid wetting foliage unnecessarily and water in the morning. As fruit approaches maturity, continue preventing severe stress but do not keep ground constantly saturated. In containers, check daily during heat and ensure free drainage. Adjust irrigation to rainfall, soil texture, vine size, and fruit load instead of following a fixed calendar.
Soil type
Choose very well-drained loose deep soil rich in mature organic matter. Cantaloupe requires warmed ground; a raised bed, black mulch, or horticultural fabric may accelerate spring warming. Incorporate compost before planting without using fresh manure. Ground should retain enough water to support vines while draining excess promptly. A slightly acidic to neutral pH near 6.0 to 7.0 generally suits the crop. In heavy cold soil, form raised mounds. A soil test should guide corrections and prevent unnecessary amendments. Rotate away from cucumbers, squash, and melons where soil-borne disease has been significant.
Fertilization
Incorporate mature compost before planting. When a soil test indicates need, apply a balanced organic fertilizer at the labelled rate during establishment. After flowering begins, avoid high-nitrogen feeding that favours leaves and stems at the expense of fruit set. A light side-dressing may be used only when plant growth and soil conditions justify it, without touching stems and never on dry soil. Check heat, irrigation, pollination, and pests before adding nutrients. Record amendments so unnecessary doses are not repeated from year to year. Stop late feeding when remaining warm-season time is too short for new fruit to mature.
Seasonal care
In spring, sow indoors six to eight weeks before the last frost and place seedlings under strong light as soon as they emerge. Pot them on once the first true leaves are well developed, and rotate containers regularly to encourage straight growth. About ten days before transplanting, gradually expose plants to wind, direct sun, and outdoor temperatures. Set them in the garden only after the soil has warmed and cold nights no longer threaten. In summer, secure stems to a sturdy stake or cage, water deeply at soil level, and maintain a clean mulch. Inspect foliage regularly, remove leaves touching the soil, and allow generous spacing to reduce stagnant humidity. Harvest cantaloupes as they become uniformly orange and yield slightly. Avoid excessive nitrogen fertilization. In fall, gather ripe fruit before the first frost; fruit that has begun changing colour can finish ripening indoors. Remove plants and diseased debris afterward. During winter, clean supports and plan a three- to four-year rotation before placing another Cucurbitaceae crop in the same bed.
Container growing
A controlled environment.
Recommended pot size
Approximately 40 to 60 L, at least 45 to 50 cm (18 to 20 in) in diameter and depth
Choose a stable container at least 45 to 50 cm (18 to 20 in) in diameter and similarly deep, providing approximately 40 to 60 L of volume and several drainage holes. Fill it with a high-quality, airy vegetable potting mix enriched with compost rather than compact garden soil alone. At planting time, install a cage or stake sturdy enough to support a 1.5 to 1.8 m (5 to 6 ft) indeterminate cantaloupe; adding it later could damage the roots. Place the container in full sun, ideally protected from severe winds. Water slowly until excess drains, then water again when the surface begins to dry. During hot weather, daily checking may be necessary, but never leave the pot standing in a water-filled saucer. Apply light mulch, fertilize regularly at a rate suited to container cantaloupes, and tie stems as they grow. Remove only diseased lower foliage or leaves touching the mix. In fall, harvest before frost, compost healthy tissues only, and clean both container and support before storage.
Bloom and dimensions
The complete profile.
Flower color
Yellow
Foliage color
Green
Foliage type
Compound, divided foliage with an ar when bruised; grown as an annual in Quebec
Growth rate
Vigorous during the warm season
Bloom period
Male followed by female flowers on the same plant
Fruiting
Large orange beefsteak fruit, generally 227 to 454 g (8 to 16 oz), borne singly or in clusters of up to three.
Harvest
Inspect near 75 to 90 days depending on conditions; harvest according to fragrance, colour, and stem separation
Garden associations
What to plant with it.
Good companions
Basil and early lettuce can occupy nearby space when light, water, air circulation, and root room remain sufficient.
Avoid planting with
Avoid waterlogged soil, overhead watering, crowding, and repeated rotations with cantaloupes, peppers, eggplants, or potatoes.
Table cantaloupe for fresh eating, slices, sandwiches, salads, and sauces; suitable for vegetable gardens, edible beds, and large containers.
From the garden to inspiration.
To highlight the colour and texture of ‘’s Orange’, prepare an uncooked heirloom cantaloupe platter. Slice two large orange cantaloupes and two red or purple cantaloupes about 8 mm thick. Arrange alternating slices on a serving plate, then add one small, thinly sliced shallot, several basil leaves, and crumbled fresh cheese if desired. Whisk 30 mL (2 tbsp) olive oil with 15 mL (1 tbsp) apple cider vinegar, a pinch of salt, and pepper. Spoon the dressing over the cantaloupes immediately before serving so the fruit retains its texture. Let the platter rest at room temperature for five minutes so the flavours mingle. Serve with toasted bread to capture the juices. This simple preparation preserves the cantaloupe’s fruity sweetness and sets its luminous orange colour against contrasting heirloom cultivars.
Frequently asked questions
Everything toknow.
Transplant only after last frost when soil has warmed and nights remain reliably mild. Cantaloupe placed too early in cold ground may stop growing, yellow, or lose the advantage of indoor starting. Harden plants for approximately one week by gradually increasing sun, wind, and outdoor time. Keep the root ball intact because cucurbits tolerate root disturbance poorly. Black mulch or fabric may warm the bed before planting. Provide floating protection against wind and cucumber beetles, then remove it when flowers appear so pollinators can reach plants. Use local soil temperature and forecast rather than a fixed calendar date because Quebec microclimates vary.
Combine several signs instead of relying only on days. Ripe fruit becomes more fragrant, its background colour may shift from green toward beige or yellow, and rind netting appears more contrasted. In cantaloupes with a full-slip trait, the stem separates easily under light pressure; however, this response is not guaranteed for a lot whose complete identity remains unknown. Also examine the nearby leaf and texture at the blossom end. Harvest one test fruit, cut it, and record observed signs. Leave remaining fruit for several more days when flesh still lacks ar or sweetness. Refrigerate cut fruit promptly and discard fruit with fermentation, rot, or an uncertain storage history.
The first flowers are often male and fall naturally after releasing pollen. Female flowers carry a small swelling at their base and must receive enough pollen during their short opening period. Cold, rain, extreme heat, few bees, or insecticide use during bloom may reduce fruit set. Maintain steady moisture, grow pollinator-supporting flowers nearby, and avoid treating while blossoms are open. When bees are scarce, transfer pollen gently from a male flower to a female flower in the morning with a small clean brush. Excessive nitrogen may also produce abundant vine growth with little fruit. Allow several cycles of male and female bloom before concluding that pollination has failed.
Yes, when the container is very large, stable, and fitted with many drainage holes. Use at least approximately 40 to 60 litres per plant in rich but airy mix, place it in full sun, and check moisture daily during heat. A strong trellis saves space, but every fruit requires a soft sling attached to the structure, never to the stem. Guide vines without constriction and protect the pot from tipping. When vines remain on the ground, place fruit on a clean board. Container production depends strongly on heat, root volume, water, and pollination, so no fruit count can be guaranteed. Rotate or sanitize reused containers after significant cucurbit disease.
Its strengths, naturally.
Attracts or supports pollinating insects
Pollinators
Plants that attract butterflies
Butterflies
