Charentais Melon seeds produce orange melon, about 2-3 lb, on vining/climbing plants. It is best suited to gourmet garden harvests, individual servings, fresh fruit plates, and growers who can monitor ripeness closely. intensely aromatic, floral sweetness with a smooth orange-flesh texture Grow the celebrated small French melon known for deep orange flesh and powerful floral fragrance. About Charentais Charentais is an annual melon with orange color, 61–72 in mature height or spread, and a vining/climbing habit. Harvest form or size: about 2-3 lb. Botanically it is Cucumis melo L. Maturity or first bloom: 80-89 Days; germination: 7-10 Days at 75–90 °F. Best for gourmet garden harvests, individual servings, fresh fruit plates, and growers who can monitor ripeness closely. Intensely aromatic, floral sweetness with a smooth orange-flesh texture. History and provenance Charentais melons are French cantaloupe-type melons selected for compact fruit, perfume, and orange flesh. Their reputation rests on aroma and eating quality, but ripe fruit is tender and should be handled carefully. Botanical record: Cucumis melo var. cantalupensis. The broader crop history is kept separate from the documented history of the named variety. Where an exact breeder, introduction date, family story, or cultural attribution cannot be supported by a credible record, repeated claims are not presented as certain. Charentais melon seeds produce small round French-type melons with smooth gray-green skin and deep orange flesh. The defining kitchen quality is intensely aromatic, floral sweetness with a smooth orange-flesh texture. Charentais melon seeds are warm-season seed. The vines need full sun, warm soil, fertile drainage, and steady moisture while fruit is sizing. Growing facts Scientific name Cucumis melo L. Life cycle Annual Maturity / first bloom 80-89 Days Germination 7-10 Days at 75–90 °F Seed depth 1/2 in Plant height / spread 61–72 in Growth habit Vining/Climbing Spacing 24 in between plants; 72 in between rows Sunlight Full sun Soil Loamy; pH 6.0–6.5 Water Moderate Support No-Support Starting Charentais from seed How to grow Charentais Melon Botanical identity: Cucumis melo L. Life cycle: Annual. Sow 1/2 in and use a seed-zone temperature near 75–90 °F. Expected emergence: 7-10 Days. No stratification; direct sow into warm soil or start briefly in biodegradable cells and transplant young Plant during Late Spring. Space plants 24 in apart with 72 in between rows or planting bands. Provide Full sun, moderate water, and loamy near pH 6.0–6.5. Support: No-Support. Garden performance and care Give Charentais enough room for its vining/climbing growth. Direct irrigation to the soil, keep developing fruit on dry mulch or boards where rot is common, and leave seed-saving fruit on the plant beyond the eating stage. Expected emergence is 7-10 Days; the listed maturity or bloom timing is 80-89 Days. Harvest, bloom, and uses Charentais is best for gourmet garden harvests, individual servings, fresh fruit plates, and growers who can monitor ripeness closely. Harvest form or size: about 2-3 lb. Color at the principal harvest or mature stage: Orange. Intensely aromatic, floral sweetness with a smooth orange-flesh texture. Saving seed Seed saving for Charentais Select several healthy, true-to-type plants so the saved lot represents the variety rather than one unusually early or large individual. Melons are insect-pollinated and varieties of the same species can cross. Isolate compatible varieties or use controlled pollination, and mark fruit from healthy true-to-type plants. Allow seed fruit to become fully ripe; eating ripeness and seed maturity should both be reached. Remove seed, separate pulp by washing or short fermentation as appropriate, rinse until clean, and dry in a thin layer with good airflow. Keep records of species, variety, plant count, isolation, ripeness test, fruit traits, and year. Common problems Watch Charentais for cucumber beetles, squash bugs where applicable, aphids, powdery or downy mildew, bacterial wilt, crown rot, poor pollination, and fruit damage on wet soil. Rotate cucurbit crops, provide airflow, water at the root zone, protect young plants before flowering, and remove covers when blossoms need pollinators. Do not work wet vines. Frequently asked questions When is Charentais ready? 80-89 Days from warm direct sowing or equivalent established transplant How long does germination take? Expect 7-10 Days near 75–90 °F; actual emergence changes with moisture, seed condition, and soil temperature. How large does it grow? About 61–72 in with a vining/climbing habit. Support: No-Support. Can it grow in a container? Best in open ground or a large raised bed; mature vines require substantial horizontal or vertical space. How is it used? Primary uses: gourmet garden harvests, individual servings, fresh fruit plates, and growers who can monitor ripeness closely. Intensely aromatic, floral sweetness with a smooth orange-flesh texture. Can I save seed? Yes where the crop biology allows, but keep compatible varieties isolated, use several healthy plants, wait for full seed maturity, dry thoroughly, and label the lot. Minimum Seed Count:30 seeds
