Cantaloupes, like other vining crops such as cucumbers, pumpkins, squash, and watermelons, require pollination for fruit set. This means pollen must be transferred from the male blooms to the female blooms. Although cantaloupes are different than other vining crops because they have flowers which contain male and female parts, as well as those which contain only male parts, pollination by bees is still necessary. High temperatures or high fertility can cause the cantaloupe to produce only male blooms, which results in poor fruit set. Nematode infestations can also cause small plants, profusion of blooms, and no fruit.

Browse related Faqs by tag: horticulture, cucurbits, nematodes, cantaloupe, vegetables and herbs, fruit set, bee pollination