Organic Melon Canteloupe Charantais

Melon: Canteloupe Charantais
Cucumis melo
Approx. 50 seeds per gram
Traditionally, melons have not been easy to grow in the UK because they need plenty of warmth and sunshine. However we can now offer a range of F1 varieties that have the extra vigour needed to produce fruit even in a dull Summer.
If you have a polytunnel or greenhouse you will likely see better success. Pollination is key and if there are not enough insects undercover you may want to try pollinating by hand. This involves moving the pollen from a male flower to a female.
You also want to prevent cross pollination from other Cucurbitae, especially Cucumbers, as this can spoil the flavour.
There are different types of Melon. The smaller varieties, such as Cantaloupe, are best suited to growing at home.

Charantais is a traditional French type of canteloupe melon with a slightly netted skin. The fruits are small and round with extremely good taste, colour and texture as well as a powerful and intoxicating aroma.

How to grow:
Sow seeds in pots or modules in good organic seed compost at a temperature of 21°C. If you plant the seed on its side they are less prone to rotting off.
Transplant into growbags, 2 per bag or the greenhouse/polytunnel border, 60cm apart, when the plants have produced 4 true leaves. A series of pinching out the growing tips is recommended and this encourages side shoots which will produce flowers and consequently fruits sooner. A week after planting pinch out the growing tip leaving only 2 true leaves.
Two sides shoots will grow, begin to train them up wires or strings for support. Allow them to produce 8 to 10 leaves and then pinch out the growing tip on both side shoots.
The next sets of shoots will produce flowers. When fruits have set pinch out the growing tip again leaving 2 sets of leaves above the baby melon. Allow only 4 fruits per plant.
Water and feed well.
Pests and diseases:
Melons are relatively pest free. But watch out for slugs, aphids and cucumber mosaic virus.
How to cook:
Melons are, of course, delicious eaten just as they are but they go really well with mint, ginger, cured ham, strawberries and raspberries. They also make good sorbet.