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Banana Melon — Melons | DarkGrow Seed Bank

Name: Banana Melon
Brand: DarkGrow Seed Bank

90-100days to harvest

8-12days to germinate

Z2–11USDA zones

Moderatedifficulty

Heirloom

Sowing

Direct sow when soil reaches 70°F or start indoors 3-4 weeks before transplanting. Handle seedlings carefully.

Cultivation

Sun: Full sun (6+ hours)
Water: 1-2 inches per week, reduce near harvest
Soil: Well-drained, fertile sandy loam with organic amendments
Soil pH: 6.2-6.8
Spacing: 48-60 inches
Height: 6-9 feet
Season: Warm season

Appearance & flavour

Colour: Bright yellow smooth rind with salmon-pink flesh
Size: 3-5 pounds
Shape: Long and curved like a large banana, 16-18 inches long
Flavour: Sweet and mild with delicate flavor between cantaloupe and honeydew

In the kitchen

Fresh eating, fruit platters, novelty displays, farmers market sales, photography

Pests, disease & resistance

Pests: Cucumber beetles, squash bugs, aphids, vine borers
Diseases: Fusarium wilt, powdery mildew, bacterial wilt, downy mildew
Resistance: Moderate resistance typical of heirloom varieties

Planting calendar by USDA zone

Zone	Start indoors	Transplant	Direct sow	Harvest
2	May – June	July	July – August	October – September
3	May	June – July	June – August	October
4	April – May	June	June – July	September – October
5	April	May – June	May – July	September – October
6	April	May – June	May – July	September – October
7	March – April	May	May – June	August – October
8	March	April – May	April – June	August – September
9	February	March – April	March – May	July – August
10	January – February	March	March – April	June – August
11	January	February	February – March	May – July
12	January	February	February – March	May – July
13	January	February	February – March	May – July

Companion planting

8 beneficial pairings indexed for this variety, 3 to avoid.

BasilRepels aphids, thrips, and mosquitoes while potentially improving melon flavor

MarigoldsDeters nematodes, aphids, and cucumber beetles that commonly attack melons

NasturtiumsActs as trap crop for cucumber beetles and squash bugs, repels aphids

RadishesRepels cucumber beetles and squash vine borers, improves soil structure

CornProvides natural trellis support and shade, compatible root systems

BeansFixes nitrogen in soil to benefit heavy-feeding melons

SunflowersAttracts beneficial insects and provides wind protection for melon vines

OreganoRepels cucumber beetles and provides ground cover to retain soil moisture

Avoid

CucumberCompetes for same nutrients and space, shares common diseases like bacterial wilt

PotatoesMay inhibit melon growth and both crops attract similar harmful insects

FennelReleases allelopathic compounds that inhibit growth of melons and most garden plants

Nutrition (per 100 g)

Calories (per 100 g): 30
Protein (g): 0.61
Fat (g): 0.15
Carbohydrate (g): 7.55
Fibre (g): 0.4
Sugars (g): 6.2
Vitamin A (µg): 28
Vitamin C (mg): 8.1
Vitamin E (mg): 0.05
Vitamin K (µg): 0.1
Vitamin B6 (mg): 0.045
Folate (µg): 3
Calcium (mg): 7
Iron (mg): 0.24
Magnesium (mg): 10
Phosphorus (mg): 11
Potassium (mg): 112
Zinc (mg): 0.1
Selenium (µg): 0.4

← PreviousSprite Melon Next →Cantaloup Charentais

Where to buy seed and equipment

Some links are affiliate links. If you buy through them we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.

Growing it? There is a full cultivation guide at the melons growing guide.

Cultivar facts compiled from public horticultural references including USDA GRIN and NC State Extension. Descriptions are original to this catalogue.

Banana Melon

Sowing

Cultivation

Appearance & flavour

In the kitchen

Pests, disease & resistance

Planting calendar by USDA zone

Companion planting

Avoid

Nutrition (per 100 g)

Where to buy seed and equipment

Grown Banana Melon?

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