Grown Charentais Cantaloupe?

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Charentais Cantaloupe — Melons

75days to harvest

5-8days to germinate

Z2–11USDA zones

Challengingdifficulty

F1 hybrid

Sowing

Start indoors 4-6 weeks before transplanting or direct sow in warm soil. Requires consistent 70-85°F temperatures.

Cultivation

Sun: Full sun (6+ hours)
Water: 1-1.5 inches per week, reduce significantly at ripening
Soil: Well-drained sandy loam, excellent drainage essential
Soil pH: 6.5-7.5
Spacing: 3-4 feet
Height: 6-9 feet
Season: Warm season annual

Appearance & flavour

Colour: Pale green to cream skin with faint ribs, deep orange flesh
Size: 5-5 1/2"
Shape: Round with shallow ribbing, smooth skin
Flavour: Intensely sweet and perfumed with complex floral notes and silky, dense flesh

In the kitchen

Dessert course, gourmet fruit platters, pairing with prosciutto, fine dining presentations

Pests, disease & resistance

Pests: Aphids, spider mites, cucumber beetles, melon fly
Diseases: Powdery mildew, fusarium wilt, bacterial wilt, crown rot
Resistance: Fusarium Wilt races 0-2 (High); Powdery Mildew (Intermediate)

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	August – 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, whiteflies, and thrips while potentially improving melon flavor

MarigoldDeters cucumber beetles, aphids, and nematodes that commonly attack melons

NasturtiumActs as trap crop for cucumber beetles and squash bugs, repels aphids

RadishRepels cucumber beetles and squash vine borers, improves soil structure

SunflowerProvides beneficial shade and attracts pollinators essential for melon fruit set

OreganoRepels cucumber beetles and provides general pest deterrent properties

CornProvides natural windbreak and partial shade without competing for nutrients

TansyRepels ants, cucumber beetles, and squash bugs that damage melon plants

Avoid

CucumberCompetes for same nutrients and attracts shared pests like cucumber beetles

PotatoMay stunt melon growth and both plants compete for similar soil nutrients

Aromatic Herbs (Sage)Strong aromatic compounds can inhibit melon seed germination and growth

Nutrition (per 100 g)

Calories (per 100 g): 34
Protein (g): 0.84
Fat (g): 0.19
Carbohydrate (g): 8.16
Fibre (g): 0.9
Sugars (g): 7.86
Vitamin A (µg): 169
Vitamin C (mg): 36.7
Vitamin E (mg): 0.05
Vitamin K (µg): 2.5
Vitamin B6 (mg): 0.072
Folate (µg): 21
Calcium (mg): 9
Iron (mg): 0.21
Magnesium (mg): 12
Phosphorus (mg): 15
Potassium (mg): 267
Zinc (mg): 0.18
Selenium (µg): 0.4

← PreviousCrimson Sweet Watermelon Next →Minnesota Midget Cantaloupe

Where to buy seed and equipment

Some links are affiliate links. If you buy through them we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.

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 Charentais Cantaloupe?

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