What hardiness zones is Cucumis melo 'Hales Best' suitable for?

Cucumis melo 'Hales Best' is an annual vine reaching 12-18 inches (30-45 cm) tall with a spread of 4-8 feet (1.2-2.4 m) and a trailing, vining habit with tendrils. An American heirloom cantaloupe developed by a Japanese-American farmer named Hale in the Imperial Valley, California, in the 1920s, it produces oval fruits 5-7 inches (13-18 cm) long weighing 3-5 pounds (1.4-2.3 kg) with a heavily netted, tan rind and deep salmon-orange, aromatic, sweet flesh with a small seed cavity. Days to maturity 75-85 from transplant. Growth rate is fast. The standard American cantaloupe (technically a muskmelon—true cantaloupes are European with smooth rinds). Adapted to hot, dry climates—performs best with dry air during ripening. Ripe when the stem slips cleanly from the fruit with gentle pressure (full-slip).

Native Range

Cucumis melo originated in tropical and subtropical Africa and Asia. 'Hales Best' was developed in Imperial Valley, California, in the 1920s by a Japanese-American farmer named Hale.

Suggested Uses

Grown in vegetable gardens for culinary use—fresh eating, fruit salads, smoothies. Standard American cantaloupe/muskmelon. Deeply netted. Deep salmon-orange aromatic flesh. Full-slip harvest indicator. Imperial Valley CA heirloom 1920s. Hot dry climate adapted. Open-pollinated. Not suitable for humid climates (disease pressure) or short cool seasons.

How to Identify

Distinguished from honeydew by the netted tan (versus smooth pale green-white) rind and the salmon-orange (versus pale green) flesh. Distinguished from watermelon (Citrullus lanatus) by the netted rind and the aromatic, musky (versus clean/watery) flavor. Hales Best cantaloupe—heavily netted tan, deep salmon-orange flesh, full-slip harvest, Imperial Valley CA 1920s, hot-climate adapted.

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height1' - 1'6"

Width/Spread4' - 8'

Colors

Flower Colors

yellow

Foliage Colors

green

Fall Foliage Colors

no change

Bloom Information

Bloom Period

~6 weeks

Summer

Small yellow flowers—male flowers first, then female with miniature fruit at base. Bee pollination essential. Flowers open one day only.

Detailed Descriptions

Flower Description

Yellow; small; male and female separate; bee-pollinated

Foliage Description

Medium green; rounded lobed; on trailing vines with tendrils

Growing Conditions

Sun Requirements

Full Sun

Requires 8-12 hours of direct sunlight daily

• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight

• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight

• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight

Soil Requirements

pH Range6.0 - 7.0(Neutral)

357912

Soil Types

loam sand

Drainagewell drained

Water & Climate

Water Needs

High

Frost Tolerance

tender

Time to Maturity

75-85 days from transplant

Care & Maintenance

Care Guide

Start seed indoors 3-4 weeks before last frost, or direct sow after soil warms to 70°F (21°C). Full sun, well-drained, sandy loam (pH 6.0-7.0). Hills or mounds for drainage. Heavy feeder. Consistent moisture until fruit reaches full size, then reduce watering to concentrate sugars and prevent splitting. Days to maturity 75-85 from transplant. Harvest at full-slip—stem separates cleanly with gentle pressure.