According to Báo Bình Thuận, farmers in Tuy Phong district of Binh Thuan province are cultivating cantaloupe using advanced technology, combined with the sunny and windy weather, resulting in a crisp, sweet, and delicious fruit.
Among them is the Thien An High-tech Agricultural Cooperative, which has introduced their cantaloupe products, certified by VietGAP, to several clean fruit stores and supermarkets in the country, generating good income and creating job opportunities for local agricultural laborers.
Farmers in Tuy Phong district enjoy good income from cantaloupe cultivation. Photo: Báo Bình Thuận.
Currently, the cooperative maintains 20 greenhouses, cultivating 2 hectares of high-tech cantaloupe that are VietGAP-certified and assigned a planting area code for product consumption. Each month, this unit supplies about 20 tons of various types of cantaloupe to the market, yielding profits of no less than VND 50 million per 1,000 square meter farm, with a harvest cycle of 75 days.
The combination of high-tech cultivation and Tuy Phong’s sunny and windy climate results in locally-grown cantaloupe with a unique quality: sweeter, crispier, and more fragrant.
How to Grow Cantaloupe?
According to the Ho Chi Minh City Center for Agricultural Encouragement, cantaloupe originated from India and Africa. Today, it is cultivated in many parts of the world, including China, Turkey, the USA, Spain, Iran, Romania, Egypt, Morocco, and Italy.
Among them, the major exporting countries in terms of volume are Spain, Mexico, Iran, the USA, Costa Rica, Guatemala, Brazil, and the Netherlands. Cantaloupe has a very high nutritional value, providing an abundance of provitamin A (β-carotene), vitamin C, vitamin E, folic acid, and fiber, all of which are essential for human health.
Cantaloupe has multiple health benefits for humans. Photo: Báo Bình Thuận.
Cantaloupe is good for the eyes as it contains a significant amount of beta-carotene, which converts into vitamin A in the body, helping to protect and maintain eye health. Rich in water content, cantaloupe provides moisture to the skin, which needs water to maintain its elasticity and softness. Consuming cantaloupe can help improve dry and acne-prone skin.
Cantaloupe contains the enzyme super oxid dismutase (SOD), which helps reduce stress and treat anxiety disorders. This food improves mood, increases focus, and enhances memory.
With its naturally low sugar content and high water content, cantaloupe helps maintain stable blood sugar levels. It is also a good source of folate and B-group vitamins, playing a crucial role in fetal development and preventing anemia in pregnant women.
Cantaloupe thrives in well-lit and temperature-controlled conditions.
The optimal temperature range for cantaloupe growth is 18-28°C, with slower growth observed below 12°C. The plant can tolerate temperatures up to 40°C for several hours daily. Cantaloupe thrives in warm, dry climates with ample sunlight. It requires 8-12 hours of sunlight per day. A short photoperiod combined with high light intensity will promote female flowering, increase fruit set, and advance fruit maturity, resulting in higher yields. On cloudy days with less sunlight and drizzles, cantaloupe growth is hindered, particularly in terms of fruit set and quality.
The ideal relative humidity for cantaloupe is 45-55%. Higher humidity levels increase the risk of pest and disease infestation. Sudden changes in soil moisture and unsuitable temperatures can lead to abnormal fruit development, affecting the balance and shape of the fruit.
To prepare for harvest, stop applying nutrient solutions seven days beforehand and discontinue watering five days prior. Approximately 40-50 days after pollination, depending on the variety, the fruit can be harvested. The ideal time to harvest is when the fruit has an even netting pattern and the stem end shows signs of yellowing, indicating a sweetness level (Brix) of 12% or higher. The best time to harvest is early in the morning or in the cool evening.
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