The Charentais melon is one of the smaller representatives of the sugar melons. This makes them interesting for growing on balconies or in smaller gardens.
How to grow Charentais melons successfully?
To grow Charentais melons successfully, you should plant the seeds on the windowsill from the beginning of April. In May you can carefully plant the young plants in a greenhouse, on the balcony or on the terrace. Make sure to water the melons sufficiently and provide them with enough light - fruits should be ready to harvest in August.
Classification and characteristics of the Charentais melon
Various types of melons such as the Charentais, the honeydew melon (or yellow canary) and the Galia are usually grouped under the generic term muskmelon due to their sweet taste. The so-called cantaloupe melons are considered an intermediate stage in the determination of melon varieties, which include, for example, the following subspecies:
- Charentais
- Galia
- Ogen
In addition, there are also so-called winter melons and the relatively long-lasting net melons as subspecies of sugar melons in Europe.
Bring the Charentais melon ahead of time
Since almost all melon varieties thrive better in warmer climates than in Europe, it is necessary to grow the young plants early if the fruits are to ripen in time for autumn. You can purchase the seeds of the Charentais melon from specialist retailers or obtain them from commercially purchased fruits. However, fruit seeds should be thoroughly cleaned of pulp to prevent mold from forming during the germination phase. You should also know that the seeds of cultivated hybrid varieties are generally not suitable for further propagation. From the beginning of April, put two seeds in a pot on the windowsill so that you can plant the young plants in the greenhouse or on the balcony or terrace from May onwards. Since the Charentais melon forms long tendrils and the fruits can also grow hanging in the air due to their smaller size, the variety is also known and valued as the so-called “balcony melon”.
Tips for a successful harvest
The roots of young melon plants are very sensitive, which is why they should only be pricked out with extreme caution or planted directly in a rot-proof plant pot. Especially when growing melons in pots, you have to water the plants almost every day in summer. If sowed early enough and cared for well, Charentais melons usually produce fist-sized fruits that are ready to harvest in August.
Tips & Tricks
The orange flesh of the Charentais melon is ideal for enhancing the visual and taste of starter platters with ham and cheese bites.
