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How to grow MusKMELON in Uganda

Muskmelon (Scientific Name: Cucumis melo) is a species of melon that has been developed into many cultivated varieties.

The fruit is exotic to Uganda so we don’t have a specific local name for it; however there is a growing demand for the fruit given the modern fruits introduced in the past years.

The plant produces deeply grooved fruit with a hard, warty or scary rind with an orange or green flesh.

Common Muskmelon varieties in Uganda

Ambrosia, classic hybrid, Hales best, mission and rocky sweet.

Soil requirements for growing Muskmelon in Africa

The plant thrives best on organic rich, well drained sandy loam soils with a pH between 6.0 t0 6.5

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How to propagate Muskmelon in Africa

Musk melons are best started using seeds though care should be taken by using fungicide as musk melons are very prone to dumping off.

How to plant Muskmelon in Uganda

Musk melons are best started using transplants though direct seeding can also be considered for warmer regions.

Sow seeds at a depth of 1-2 cm. using 4-6 seeds per mound.

These will be able to sprout in about 2 to 4 weeks, and at this time you can be able to transplant your plants to the main field.

Use a spacing of 5 to 6 feet between rows and 10 to 15 cm between the plants.

Mulch the field to maintain moisture and to be able to facilitate early fruiting.

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How to Harvest Muskmelon in Africa

Fruits are generally ready to be harvested 30 to 45 days following flowering.

Harvest your musk melon according to the degree of stem slip, which is when the stem begins to separate from the melon.

At this point the fruit has reached full maturity and peak flavor.

The netting gets coarse and rough, the stems breaks away from the vine easily and the background color of the fruit changes from green to yellow.

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About the Market and Use of Muskmelons

Muskmelons are such expensive fruits since we don’t have farmers in Uganda producing them.

Most muskmelons you find on the market come from Kenya and this explains the high pricing.

The biggest market for muskmelons in Uganda is at Nakaseero market.

In addition to their consumption when fresh, melons are sometimes dried.

Other varieties are cooked, or grown for their seeds, which are processed to produce melon oil.

Still other varieties are grown only for their pleasant fragrance.

The Japanese liqueur, Midori, is flavored with muskmelon.

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Quick Tips for planting musk melons

• Open up land meant for planting to clear it of shrubs.
• Decide on the method to use for planting, it could be on hills or in rows.
• Drill up holes on a mound/hill in rows about 1-2 cm deep
• Sow 4 to 6 seeds per hole and maintain a spacing of 6 ft between the plants.
• Cover the sown seeds with soil and gently firm.
• Water the plant constantly as fruits grown in dry sites tend to develop a bitter taste.
• Harvest musk melon after 30-45 days from flowering.

Contact us here to buy Muskmelon fruits and Muskmelon Seeds in Uganda