MELON - DI CHARENTAIS

Organic Melon Cantaloupe Di Charentais

        10 Seeds Pack    

The Charentais melon, a variety of cantaloupe melon classified as Cucumis melo var. cantalupensis, originated in the 1920s in the Poitou-Charentes region of western France. It was cultivated as a refined version of the cantaloupe. Unlike the famous French Cavaillon melon, Charentais melons are not protected by an AOC (appellation d'origine contrôlée), which legally designates specific growing regions. Consequently, Charentais melons can be grown anywhere.

These melons are small, typically measuring 7 to 10 centimetres in diameter and weighing 2 to 3 pounds, with a round to oval shape. The rind is thin, smooth, and firm, ranging in colour from grey-green to pale green, adorned with mottled dark green striping extending from the stem to the blossom end. As the melon ripens, the colour of the stripes may darken or remain the same, while the base colour may develop a yellow hue. Some Charentais varieties may also feature lightly netted skin, depending on breeding practices and specific types. Beneath the surface, the pale orange flesh is dense, semi-aqueous, and succulent, offering a firm yet tender texture. The melon contains a central cavity filled with oblong ivory seeds attached to small white fibbers, suspended in a gelatinous liquid. Highly aromatic, Charentais melons emit honeyed, fruity, and floral notes akin to ambrosia. A ripe melon should feel heavy for its size, and according to French folklore, the best melons bear ten stripes each. The flesh of Charentais melons boasts a high sugar content balanced with mild acidity, resulting in a very sweet flavour followed by a pleasant, soft floral aftertaste.         

PLANTING & GROWING

Soaking needs to be done at least a few hours before planting, and preferably overnight. To prevent damping off when starting seeds indoors, it’s essential that you disinfect all of your pots, plastic grow trays, seed cells, and seedling tray covers before you reuse them.  

Melons thrive in warm climates, making them short-season crops in the U.K., while in warmer regions, they are grown successively for export to temperate zones. Although they typically excel under glass, they can also be cultivated outdoors in warmer areas. Whether grown in grow bags within a glasshouse, a polytunnel, or directly outdoors in well-prepared soil rich in organic matter, melons require higher temperatures and humidity than tomatoes but can coexist well with cucumbers, which share similar environmental needs. Despite common misconceptions, melons and cucumbers can be grown alongside each other without cross-pollination.

For indoor cultivation, sow melon seeds from March to the end of May, approximately 1cm (½in) deep into 8 to 10cm (3 to 4in) pots filled with standard, well-draining potting compost. Keep the soil consistently moist. Germination occurs at temperatures above 21°C (68°F), typically taking 6 to 10 days at 24°C (75°F).

Transplant seedlings into 13cm (5in) pots when they are large enough to handle. Grow them in good light at temperatures of around 15 to 18°C (59 to 64°F) before planting them 75 to 100cm (30 to 39in) apart outdoors once all risk of frost has passed. Planting in an unheated glasshouse or polytunnel should only occur when the compost or soil reaches a temperature of at least 18°C (64°F), along with corresponding air temperature.

As the melon plants grow, tie the strongest shoot to a support and remove side shoots that emerge from the main stem. Pinch out each stem a couple of leaves beyond the female flowers as the plants mature. Once the main stem reaches the top of the support, pinch out the leading shoot to encourage fruit formation. Sprawling plants can be allowed to develop naturally but should be pruned to prevent overcrowding as necessary.

Melons pair well with corn and watermelon, and it's advisable to leave a strip of rye cover crop between rows to serve as a windbreak. Avoid planting melons near potatoes. A rotation of at least 3 to 4 years away from all plants in the cucumber family is recommended to prevent disease buildup in the soil.