Cantaloupes have always been a very iffy fruit for us to grow. Over the years, we have had varying degrees of success/failure. But, we continue to try growing this delicious fruit every year because we relish a flavor-packed cantaloupe.
Some years the vines grew well but did not produce a single melon, and other years the vines were wimpy and infected with insects resulting in a lean crop. On very rare years, the vines were vigorous and the fruits large, healthy and sweet - this is not one of those years.
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| Looks tasty..... |
The vines started out well, and became even more encouraging as many little green fuzz balls developed from the ends of the small, yellow blossoms. As the days ticked off, those green balls grew and ripened into full-sized melons hiding among the dense, green foliage. (Over 12, which is a respectable harvest in terms of quantity, for us.) This is the year, this is the year - we thought.
Unfortunately, the melons matured; but the flavor did not. As I cut open the nicely rounded cantaloupe, I discovered that there was nothing firm and sweet about the flesh; pale, bland and mushy would be more to the point. YUCK! A second melon improved in taste, but not by much. This is not the year - no robust, so sweet and so satisfying, cantaloupes.
Just because we grow our own fruits and vegetables, does not mean that everything produced is going to taste good. Most of the harvested produce does taste exceptional, but not all. These cantaloupes - case in point!
Better luck next year...yes, we will be trying yet again!
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