Heirloom

Delicious 51 Cantaloupe

Cucumis melo var. cantalupensis 'Delicious 51'

A proven heirloom cantaloupe variety that has been delighting gardeners since the 1950s with its exceptional flavor and reliable production. This open-pollinated variety produces medium-sized melons with intensely sweet, aromatic flesh that embodies everything a perfect cantaloupe should be. Delicious 51 is particularly prized by seed savers and those who want to experience authentic, old-fashioned cantaloupe taste.

Harvest

85-95d

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 Delicious 51 Cantaloupe in USDA Zone 7

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Zone Map

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Delicious 51 Cantaloupe · Zones 2–11

What grows well in Zone 7? →

Growing Details

Difficulty

Moderate

Spacing36-60 inches

SoilRich, well-drained loam with plenty of compost or aged manure

pH6.0-7.0

Water1-2 inches per week, consistent moisture until fruit begins to ripen

SeasonWarm season

FlavorIntensely sweet and aromatic with rich, complex cantaloupe flavor

ColorDeep orange flesh with tan, heavily netted rind

Size3-4 pounds

Zone-by-Zone Planting Calendar

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

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

Freshly harvested Delicious 51 melons continue ripening at room temperature for 2-3 days if picked slightly underripe. Once fully ripe, they'll keep on the counter for 3-5 days or in the refrigerator for up to one week. Store whole melons at 36-40°F with moderate humidity to maintain peak flavor and texture.

For preservation, cut ripe melon into chunks and freeze on parchment-lined trays before transferring to freezer bags—frozen cantaloupe works excellently in smoothies and agua fresca for up to 8 months. Dehydrate thin slices at 135°F for 12-16 hours to create intensely flavored cantaloupe leather. The high sugar content of Delicious 51 makes it ideal for small-batch jam or chutney preservation. Pickled cantaloupe rind, prepared like watermelon rind pickles, transforms waste into a unique condiment that keeps for months when properly canned.

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 and whiteflies, may improve flavor

Marigolds

Deter cucumber beetles and aphids that commonly attack melons

Nasturtiums

Act as trap crop for cucumber beetles and squash bugs

Radishes

Help deter cucumber beetles and squash vine borers

Sunflowers

Provide beneficial shade and attract pollinators essential for melon fruit set

Lettuce

Good ground cover that conserves soil moisture without competing for nutrients

Corn

Provides natural windbreak and partial shade during hottest part of day

Beans

Fix nitrogen in soil and don't compete heavily for ground space

Keep Apart

Cucumber

Attracts same pests like cucumber beetles and competes for similar nutrients

Fennel

Inhibits growth of most garden plants through allelopathy

Aromatic herbs (sage, rosemary)

Strong oils can inhibit melon germination and growth

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

Some natural resistance but susceptible to common melon diseases

Common Pests

Cucumber beetles, aphids, squash vine borer, flea beetles

Diseases

Fusarium wilt, powdery mildew, bacterial wilt, downy mildew

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does Delicious 51 cantaloupe take to grow from seed?▼

Delicious 51 cantaloupe takes 85-95 days from seed to harvest, making it a mid-season variety. In northern climates, start seeds indoors 3-4 weeks before transplanting to ensure adequate growing time before fall frost. Direct-sown seeds in warm climates will be ready for harvest in late summer when planted after soil reaches 65°F in late spring.

Is Delicious 51 cantaloupe good for beginners?▼

Delicious 51 has moderate growing difficulty, making it suitable for gardeners with some experience. While it's more forgiving than highly disease-prone varieties, beginners should be prepared to manage consistent watering, provide adequate spacing, and watch for common pests like cucumber beetles. The clear ripening indicators make harvest timing easier for new growers.

Can you grow Delicious 51 cantaloupe in containers?▼

Yes, but choose very large containers—at least 20-30 gallons—as Delicious 51 produces vigorous vines that can spread 6-8 feet. Use a sturdy trellis system to support the vines vertically and provide slings to support developing fruits. Container growing requires more frequent watering and fertilizing than ground planting.

What does Delicious 51 cantaloupe taste like compared to store-bought?▼

Delicious 51 offers intensely sweet, aromatic flesh with complex cantaloupe flavor that far surpasses most commercial varieties. The texture is firm yet melting, with higher sugar content and stronger fragrance than store-bought melons, which are typically harvested underripe for shipping. Many describe it as 'old-fashioned' cantaloupe taste.

When should I plant Delicious 51 cantaloupe seeds?▼

Plant Delicious 51 seeds when soil temperature consistently reaches 65°F, typically 2-3 weeks after your last frost date. In zones 3-6, start seeds indoors 3-4 weeks before transplanting. In zones 7-10, direct sow in late spring. Ensure nighttime temperatures stay above 50°F for successful transplanting.

How do I know when Delicious 51 cantaloupe is ripe?▼

Look for the 'full slip' stage where the stem separates easily from the fruit with gentle pressure. The skin background color changes from green to creamy tan, netting becomes pronounced, and the blossom end yields slightly to pressure while emitting a sweet fragrance. Harvest in early morning for peak flavor concentration.