Charentais Cantaloupe
Cucumis melo
The smooth yellow melons avg. 5-5 1/2" X 4 1/2-5 1/2" and about 4 lb. Flesh is very sweet and juicy. Harvest when fruit turns dark yellow, at forced-slip stage, or cut from vine.
Harvest
75d
Days to harvest
Sun
KOO-koo-mis MEL-oh
Zones
2–11
USDA hardiness
Height
6-9 feet
Planting Timeline
Showing dates for Charentais Cantaloupe in USDA Zone 7
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Charentais Cantaloupe · Zones 2–11
Growing Details
Zone-by-Zone Planting Calendar
| Zone | Indoor Start | Transplant | Direct Sow | Harvest |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Zone 3 | May – May | June – July | June – August | September – October |
| Zone 4 | April – May | June – June | June – July | September – October |
| Zone 5 | April – April | May – June | May – July | August – October |
| Zone 6 | April – April | May – June | May – July | August – October |
| Zone 7 | March – April | May – May | May – June | August – September |
| Zone 8 | March – March | April – May | April – June | July – September |
| Zone 9 | February – February | March – April | March – May | June – August |
| Zone 10 | January – February | March – March | March – April | June – July |
Complete Growing Guide
Light: KOO-koo-mis MEL-oh. Soil: Clay, High Organic Matter, Loam (Silt). Soil pH: Acid (<6.0), Neutral (6.0-8.0). Drainage: Good Drainage, Moist. Water: Height: 6 ft. 0 in. - 9 ft. 0 in., Width: 1 ft. 0 in. - 3 ft. 0 in.. Height: 6 ft. 0 in. - 9 ft. 0 in.. Spread: 1 ft. 0 in. - 3 ft. 0 in.. Spacing: 12 inches-3 feet. Growth rate: Medium. Maintenance: Medium. Propagation: Seed. Regions: Coastal, Mountains, Piedmont.
Harvesting
Musky-scented, spherical to oblong berry with a rind (pepo), often furrowed with yellow, white or green flesh and many seeds. The rind may be green, yellow, tan, beige or white and the surface may be smooth, rough, warty, scaly, or netted. Seeds white, about 1/2 inch long, narrow. Seeds ripen in August and September.
Color: Gold/Yellow, Green, White. Type: Berry. Length: < 1 inch. Width: < 1 inch.
Garden value: Edible, Showy
Harvest time: Fall
Bloom time: Summer
Edibility: Eaten fresh, wrapped in prosciutto, in salads, or as a dessert. Watery, but delicate, flavor. Avoid the seeds as the sprouting seed produces a toxic substance in its embryo.
Storage & Preservation
Freshly harvested Charentais should ripen at room temperature for 2-3 days to develop full flavor complexity, then refrigerate for up to one week. Store whole melons at 45-50°F with high humidity—wrap in perforated plastic bags to prevent moisture loss while allowing air circulation.
Once cut, Charentais deteriorates rapidly and should be consumed within 2-3 days for optimal flavor. The delicate flesh doesn't freeze well for fresh eating but can be pureed and frozen for sorbets or smoothies. For preservation, the intense flavor makes Charentais excellent for artisanal jams and preserves—the natural high sugar content requires less added sugar than other melons. Dehydrating concentrates the complex flavors beautifully; slice thin and dry at 135°F until leathery. The resulting melon leather captures much of the original aromatic intensity.
History & Origin
Origin: Africa, Arabian Peninsula, India, Australia
Advantages
- +Edible: Eaten fresh, wrapped in prosciutto, in salads, or as a dessert. Watery, but delicate, flavor. Avoid the seeds as the sprouting seed produces a toxic substance in its embryo.
Companion Plants
Plant Together
Basil
Repels aphids, whiteflies, and thrips while potentially improving melon flavor
Marigold
Deters cucumber beetles, aphids, and nematodes that commonly attack melons
Nasturtium
Acts as trap crop for cucumber beetles and squash bugs, repels aphids
Radish
Repels cucumber beetles and squash vine borers, improves soil structure
Sunflower
Provides beneficial shade and attracts pollinators essential for melon fruit set
Oregano
Repels cucumber beetles and provides general pest deterrent properties
Corn
Provides natural windbreak and partial shade without competing for nutrients
Tansy
Repels ants, cucumber beetles, and squash bugs that damage melon plants
Keep Apart
Cucumber
Competes for same nutrients and attracts shared pests like cucumber beetles
Potato
May 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 Facts
Per 100g serving. % Daily Value based on 2,000 calorie diet. Source: USDA FoodData Central (FDC #169092)
Pests & Disease Resistance
Resistance
Fusarium Wilt races 0-2 (High); Powdery Mildew (Intermediate)
Common Pests
Aphids, spider mites, cucumber beetles, melon fly
Diseases
Powdery mildew, fusarium wilt, bacterial wilt, crown rot