Exotic and Specialty Melons for the Rocky Ford Area

	Project Leader: Greg Smith, Smith's Corner, Rocky Ford, CO Technical Advisor: Mike Bartolo, Vegetable Crops Specialist, Rocky Ford, CO Project Year: 2005

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Project Summary

The objective for this research is to test the feasibility of growing and marketing several varieties of specialty melons. There are several new and unique types of mixed melons that are not currently being grown for sale in the United States, yet many would grow well in this climate. Many of them come off 11-12 days earlier than the typical 'Rocky Ford' cantaloupes and their sugar content is often as much as 4% higher.

There will be six to eight varieties of specialty melons used, including: galia, ananas, and honeydew types. The areas that will be compared to the standard melons are: cost per acre to produce, the amount of production per acre, and the dollar amount of melons sold.

Transplants will be started in the greenhouse and will then be planted into drip-irrigated, black plastic mulch. Three acres of specialty melons will be planted at a rate of 4,000 plants per acre. When the melons are ready, they will be sold at a produce stand and will be wholesaled to other produce vendors around the state. The amount of specialty melons produced and sold will be compared to the production and sale records of other common varieties of melon.

Click here to read the full text of the 2005 Final Report (Microsoft Word Document).