‘Aurora’ cantaloupe harvest delayed after cold spring
‘Aurora’ cantaloupe harvest delayed after cold spring
2025-05-07
The weather this spring has fluctuated between hot and cold, dealing a blow to Chiayi’s Aurora cantaloupe. About 90% of the harvest has molded beyond saving, and whatever’s left is difficult to keep. The harvest has been delayed for a couple of weeks, but it should finally hit the market next week.
Bright orange and juicy, this fruit with its unmistakable aroma is a Chiayi aurora cantaloupe. It’s found considerable popularity in recent years.
But it’s a finicky fruit. Since each plant only produces one melon, they can be delicate and difficult to cultivate. Especially since this spring fluctuated between hot and cold weather with lots of rainfall, it was hard on a lot of fruit harvests. Cantaloupe was no different, with nearly 90% of the harvest written off in a serious blow to farmers. But one couple managed to harvest 3,500 fruits, which are set to reach consumers next week.
Farmer
Since the temperature changes were too dramatic, they grow too slowly, so the harvest was also delayed. This year they needed around 90 days to mature. Before when the weather was more normal, it took around 75 days.
The couple used to make formwork for construction, but were left this plot of farmland by their grandfather. Four years ago, they decided to change gears and try growing high-value cantaloupe, caring for them as though they were their child.
Farmer
Aurora cantaloupe is just as hard to grow as raising kids. You have to be very attentive.
Aurora cantaloupe can sell for as much as NT$1,000 per melon, especially after this year’s scant harvest. But this couple is selling at a more affordable price to the delight of their customers.
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"嘉義極光"洋香瓜遇寒害 收成延後下週將上市
2025-05-07
今年春天氣溫忽冷忽熱，導致「嘉義極光」卡蜜拉洋香瓜慘遭寒害，有九成的果實發霉報銷，而好不容易保留下來的，收成也延後了半個月，終於要在下週上市。
切開洋香瓜，橘黃色的果肉，香甜多汁，散發著獨特的香氣，這是有嘉義極光之稱的洋香瓜卡蜜拉，近幾年來大受市場歡迎。
小心翼翼的採收果實，因為一株植栽只保留下一顆果實，「一株一果」的栽培方式，說明著卡蜜拉的嬌貴和難照顧。尤其今年春天一下冷一下熱，又多雨，導致不少水果都歉收，卡蜜拉洋香瓜也一樣，近9成的果實出現裂果，發霉報銷，產地哀鴻遍野。夫妻倆用心照顧之下，好不容易保留下3500顆，預計在下週就可以上市。
[[果農]]
“溫差太大，它成長也慢，所以收成也跟著慢。今年差不多要90天左右(收成)，以往若天氣比較正常的話，差不多在75天左右。”
夫妻原本從事建築板模工作，爺爺留下來這塊農田，4年前決定轉行嘗試種植高單價的極光卡蜜拉，把它當做孩子一樣用心照顧。
[[果農]]
“極光其實是在哈蜜瓜裡頭，算是跟佩洛斯一樣難照顧的，比照顧孩子還難，要很用心。”
極光洋香瓜市面上一顆千元起跳，尤其今年產量更少，但夫妻倆以平實價格，受到消費者喜愛。
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