Hybrid

Cantaloupe Burpee Hybrid

Cucumis melo var. cantalupensis 'Burpee Hybrid'

A reliable hybrid cantaloupe that delivers consistent, sweet melons with classic orange flesh and excellent disease resistance. This variety produces medium-sized fruits with exceptional flavor and aroma, making it a favorite among home gardeners who want dependable results. The vigorous vines are productive and handle various growing conditions better than many heirloom varieties.

Harvest

80-90d

Days to harvest

📅

Sun

KOO-koo-mis MEL-oh

☀️

Zones

2–11

USDA hardiness

🗺️

Height

6-9 feet

📏

Planting Timeline

Zone:

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

Start Indoors

Transplant

Direct Sow

Harvest

Start Indoors

Transplant

Direct Sow

Harvest

Showing dates for Cantaloupe Burpee Hybrid in USDA Zone 7

All Zone 7 melon →

Zone Map

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Cantaloupe Burpee Hybrid · Zones 2–11

What grows well in Zone 7? →

Growing Details

Difficulty

Easy

Spacing36-60 inches

SoilWell-drained, fertile sandy loam rich in organic matter

pH6.0-6.8

Water1-2 inches per week, reduce at ripening

SeasonWarm season

FlavorSweet, aromatic, and juicy with classic cantaloupe flavor

ColorTan-beige netted rind with bright orange flesh

Size3-4 pounds

Zone-by-Zone Planting Calendar

Zone	Indoor Start	Transplant	Direct Sow	Harvest
Zone 3	May – May	June – July	June – August	September – October
Zone 4	April – May	June – June	June – July	September – October
Zone 5	April – April	May – June	May – July	September – October
Zone 6	April – April	May – June	May – July	August – October
Zone 7	March – April	May – May	May – June	August – September
Zone 8	March – March	April – May	April – June	July – September
Zone 9	February – February	March – April	March – May	June – August
Zone 10	January – February	March – March	March – April	June – July

Complete Growing Guide

Light: KOO-koo-mis MEL-oh. Soil: Clay, High Organic Matter, Loam (Silt). Soil pH: Acid (<6.0), Neutral (6.0-8.0). Drainage: Good Drainage, Moist. Water: Height: 6 ft. 0 in. - 9 ft. 0 in., Width: 1 ft. 0 in. - 3 ft. 0 in.. Height: 6 ft. 0 in. - 9 ft. 0 in.. Spread: 1 ft. 0 in. - 3 ft. 0 in.. Spacing: 12 inches-3 feet. Growth rate: Medium. Maintenance: Medium. Propagation: Seed. Regions: Coastal, Mountains, Piedmont.

Harvesting

Musky-scented, spherical to oblong berry with a rind (pepo), often furrowed with yellow, white or green flesh and many seeds. The rind may be green, yellow, tan, beige or white and the surface may be smooth, rough, warty, scaly, or netted. Seeds white, about 1/2 inch long, narrow. Seeds ripen in August and September.

Color: Gold/Yellow, Green, White. Type: Berry. Length: < 1 inch. Width: < 1 inch.

Garden value: Edible, Showy

Harvest time: Fall

Bloom time: Summer

Edibility: Eaten fresh, wrapped in prosciutto, in salads, or as a dessert. Watery, but delicate, flavor. Avoid the seeds as the sprouting seed produces a toxic substance in its embryo.

Storage & Preservation

Fresh Cantaloupe Burpee Hybrid melons store best at room temperature for 3-5 days if they need additional ripening, then transfer to the refrigerator where they'll maintain quality for 5-7 days. Store whole melons in the crisper drawer at 36-40°F with moderate humidity. Once cut, wrap pieces tightly in plastic wrap and refrigerate for up to 4 days.

For longer preservation, freeze cubed melon on baking sheets before transferring to freezer bags — frozen cantaloupe works excellently in smoothies for up to 8 months. Dehydrating thin slices at 135°F creates concentrated, chewy fruit leather that stores for 6-12 months. You can also preserve cantaloupe in light syrup for canning, though the texture will soften considerably. Pickled cantaloupe rind makes an unexpectedly delicious condiment that captures the variety's aromatic qualities while extending shelf life to several months when properly processed.

History & Origin

Origin: Africa, Arabian Peninsula, India, Australia

Advantages

+Edible: Eaten fresh, wrapped in prosciutto, in salads, or as a dessert. Watery, but delicate, flavor. Avoid the seeds as the sprouting seed produces a toxic substance in its embryo.

Companion Plants

Plant Together

Basil

Repels aphids, thrips, and flies while potentially enhancing melon flavor

Marigold

Deters cucumber beetles, aphids, and nematodes that attack melons

Nasturtium

Acts as trap crop for cucumber beetles and aphids, draws pests away from melons

Radish

Repels cucumber beetles and squash bugs, breaks up soil for melon roots

Sunflower

Provides natural trellis support and attracts beneficial pollinators

Oregano

Repels cucumber beetles and other harmful insects with strong aromatic oils

Corn

Provides wind protection and vertical growing space without competing for nutrients

Bean

Fixes nitrogen in soil and doesn't compete with melon's shallow root system

Keep Apart

Cucumber

Competes for same nutrients and attracts similar pests like cucumber beetles

Potato

Competes for water and nutrients, may harbor diseases that affect melons

Aromatic herbs (strong)

Plants like sage can inhibit melon growth and affect fruit development

Nutrition Facts

Calories

34kcal(2%)

Protein

0.84g(2%)

Fiber

0.9g(3%)

Carbs

8.16g(3%)

Fat

0.19g(0%)

Vitamin C

36.7mg(41%)

Vitamin A

169mcg(19%)

Vitamin K

2.5mcg(2%)

Iron

0.21mg(1%)

Calcium

9mg(1%)

Potassium

267mg(6%)

Per 100g serving. % Daily Value based on 2,000 calorie diet. Source: USDA FoodData Central (FDC #169092)

Pests & Disease Resistance

Resistance

Good resistance to fusarium wilt and powdery mildew

Common Pests

Cucumber beetles, aphids, squash bugs, spider mites

Diseases

Bacterial wilt, downy mildew, anthracnose, alternaria leaf blight

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does Cantaloupe Burpee Hybrid take to grow from seed?▼

Cantaloupe Burpee Hybrid requires 80-90 days from seed to harvest. In northern climates, starting seeds indoors 3-4 weeks before transplanting helps ensure adequate growing time before frost. Direct-sown seeds in warm soil will produce ripe melons approximately 12-13 weeks after planting.

Can you grow Cantaloupe Burpee Hybrid in containers?▼

While possible, container growing is challenging due to this variety's vigorous vine growth and large space requirements. Use containers at least 20 gallons with strong trellising. Expect reduced yields and smaller fruits compared to ground-grown plants. Bush-type melon varieties perform better in containers.

Is Cantaloupe Burpee Hybrid good for beginners?▼

Yes, this variety is excellent for beginning gardeners. Its disease resistance, reliable ripening indicators, and forgiving nature make it more successful than many heirloom varieties. The clear 'slip' characteristic helps new growers determine harvest timing, and vigorous growth tolerates minor cultivation mistakes.

What does Cantaloupe Burpee Hybrid taste like?▼

This variety delivers classic cantaloupe flavor — sweet, aromatic, and juicy with the traditional musky fragrance. The orange flesh is tender and melting with balanced sweetness that's neither overpowering nor bland. Flavor intensity peaks when harvested at proper ripeness using the slip test.

When should I plant Cantaloupe Burpee Hybrid seeds?▼

Plant seeds when soil temperature reaches 65°F consistently, typically 2-3 weeks after your last frost date. In zones 3-5, start seeds indoors in late April to early May. Southern gardeners can direct sow from late April through June for succession plantings.

How much space does Cantaloupe Burpee Hybrid need?▼

Allow 4-6 feet between hills with 2-3 plants per hill, as vines can spread 6-8 feet in all directions. Each plant needs approximately 32-50 square feet of growing space. Overcrowding reduces air circulation and increases disease pressure while limiting fruit development.