Grown Boule d'Or Charentais?

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Boule d'Or Charentais — Melons

75-85days to harvest

5-8days to germinate

Z2–11USDA zones

Moderate to challengingdifficulty

HeirloomContainer friendly

Sowing

Start indoors 3-4 weeks before last frost or direct sow when soil reaches 70°F. Requires warm, sunny location with protection from cool weather.

Cultivation

Sun: Full sun (6+ hours)
Water: 1-1.5 inches per week, moderate water with excellent drainage
Soil: Well-drained, fertile sandy loam with excellent drainage
Soil pH: 6.5-7.5
Spacing: 36-48 inches
Height: 6-9 feet
Season: Warm season

Appearance & flavour

Colour: Smooth pale green skin turning golden-yellow when ripe, deep orange flesh
Size: 1-2 pounds
Shape: Small, round to slightly flattened globe
Flavour: Intensely sweet and aromatic with complex floral notes and perfumed fragrance

In the kitchen

Fresh eating as dessert, elegant fruit courses, pairing with prosciutto, gourmet preparations, wine pairings

Pests, disease & resistance

Pests: Aphids, cucumber beetles, spider mites, thrips
Diseases: Powdery mildew, downy mildew, fusarium wilt, bacterial wilt
Resistance: Limited disease resistance typical of heirlooms, susceptible to fungal diseases in humid conditions

Planting calendar by USDA zone

Zone	Start indoors	Transplant	Direct sow	Harvest
2	May – June	July	July – August	October – September
3	May	June – July	June – August	September – October
4	April – May	June	June – July	September – October
5	April	May – June	May – July	September – October
6	April	May – June	May – July	August – October
7	March – April	May	May – June	August – September
8	March	April – May	April – June	July – September
9	February	March – April	March – May	June – August
10	January – February	March	March – April	June – July
11	January	February	February – March	May – June
12	January	February	February – March	May – June
13	January	February	February – March	May – June

Companion planting

8 beneficial pairings indexed for this variety, 3 to avoid.

BasilRepels aphids and thrips while potentially improving melon flavor

MarigoldDeters cucumber beetles and aphids that commonly attack melons

NasturtiumActs as trap crop for cucumber beetles and squash bugs

RadishHelps deter cucumber beetles and vine borers when planted around melon hills

SunflowerProvides beneficial shade and attracts pollinators essential for melon fruit set

BeansFix nitrogen in soil and provide ground cover without competing for nutrients

OreganoRepels cucumber beetles and provides aromatic pest deterrent

CornOffers natural windbreak and vertical growing space without root competition

Avoid

CucumberShares same pests and diseases, increasing risk of cucumber beetle and bacterial wilt

PotatoCompetes heavily for nutrients and may harbor similar fungal diseases

FennelProduces allelopathic compounds that inhibit growth of cucurbit family plants

Nutrition (per 100 g)

Calories (per 100 g): 30
Protein (g): 0.61
Fat (g): 0.15
Carbohydrate (g): 7.55
Fibre (g): 0.4
Sugars (g): 6.2
Vitamin A (µg): 28
Vitamin C (mg): 8.1
Vitamin E (mg): 0.05
Vitamin K (µg): 0.1
Vitamin B6 (mg): 0.045
Folate (µg): 3
Calcium (mg): 7
Iron (mg): 0.24
Magnesium (mg): 10
Phosphorus (mg): 11
Potassium (mg): 112
Zinc (mg): 0.1
Selenium (µg): 0.4

← PreviousCharleston Gray Watermelon Next →Ali Baba Watermelon

Where to buy seed and equipment

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Growing it? There is a full cultivation guide at the melons growing guide.

Cultivar facts compiled from public horticultural references including USDA GRIN and NC State Extension. Descriptions are original to this catalogue.

Sowing

Cultivation

Appearance & flavour

In the kitchen

Pests, disease & resistance

Planting calendar by USDA zone

Companion planting

Avoid

Nutrition (per 100 g)

Where to buy seed and equipment

Grown Boule d'Or Charentais?

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