Question about a Charentais type of melon

**nctomatoman** · June 28, 2009

Yesterday I took the plunge and started pulling the weeds in the melon area, and getting a handle on what's going on (which vines for which varieties going in which direction). I was quite surprised to find half a dozen melons forming, including two nice ones on the Charentais type melon Edonis. I know that the Charentais types don't slip and must be watched carefully. Anyone have hints on what to look for in terms of ripeness/ready to harvest?

tjg911 · June 28, 2009

craig i grew these about 5 or 6 years ago. iirc you do the same as for watermelon (honestly i forget it's been so long but i do remember the 1st tendril closest to the melon dries up and then there's the always popular thump it with your thumb to hear the right sound, so like how does a newbie know that sound?

). i was not able to discern when they were ripe and the ones i picked were less than special. i wrote that off to my climate and maybe they do better down south.

tom

**nctomatoman** · June 28, 2009

Thanks, Tom. They seem too small to me...going to wait a bit. Three plants in one hill, they seem to be setting well, so should have ample opportunity to practice. I also have a Galia type (Arava) growing (green flesh, netted), Tip Top (my best from last year), and Blenheim Orange.....we are going through canteloupes like crazy right now (from the Farmers Market, Athenas, 2. each or 3 for 5.) - our afternoon fruit break (big bowl of melon with blueberries). Can't wait until we have our own!

jcmorse33 · June 29, 2009

I will admit that I've never grown charentais melons. But I did come across a page where the guy is *really* into his melons and he talks about a comparison grow out he did between two types of charentais. I think he mentioned the signs he used for determining ripeness.

http://www.waynesthisandthat.com/melons

If you back out of his melons page he's got lots of other neat stuff he's tried as well. Definitely one of the coolest sites I've found.

--Justin

Tormato · June 30, 2009

Craig,

It's not what to look for, it's what to smell for. The nose knows when it's ripe.

Gary

**nctomatoman** · June 30, 2009

That's what I've heard, Gary. Here is what the largest of the melons looked like a few days ago.

June 28, 2009	#1
nctomatoman Tomatoville® Moderator Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Hendersonville, NC zone 7 Posts: 10,385	Question about a Charentais type of melon Yesterday I took the plunge and started pulling the weeds in the melon area, and getting a handle on what's going on (which vines for which varieties going in which direction). I was quite surprised to find half a dozen melons forming, including two nice ones on the Charentais type melon Edonis. I know that the Charentais types don't slip and must be watched carefully. Anyone have hints on what to look for in terms of ripeness/ready to harvest? __________________ Craig

June 28, 2009	#2
tjg911 Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: zone 5b northwest connecticut Posts: 2,570	craig i grew these about 5 or 6 years ago. iirc you do the same as for watermelon (honestly i forget it's been so long but i do remember the 1st tendril closest to the melon dries up and then there's the always popular thump it with your thumb to hear the right sound, so like how does a newbie know that sound? ). i was not able to discern when they were ripe and the ones i picked were less than special. i wrote that off to my climate and maybe they do better down south. tom __________________ I need a hero I’m holding out for a hero ‘til the end of the night He’s gotta be strong And he’s gotta be fast And he’s gotta be fresh from the fight I need a hero I’m holding out for a hero ‘til the morning light He’s gotta be sure And it’s gotta be soon And he’s gotta be larger than life

June 28, 2009	#3
nctomatoman Tomatoville® Moderator Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Hendersonville, NC zone 7 Posts: 10,385	Thanks, Tom. They seem too small to me...going to wait a bit. Three plants in one hill, they seem to be setting well, so should have ample opportunity to practice. I also have a Galia type (Arava) growing (green flesh, netted), Tip Top (my best from last year), and Blenheim Orange.....we are going through canteloupes like crazy right now (from the Farmers Market, Athenas, 2. each or 3 for 5.) - our afternoon fruit break (big bowl of melon with blueberries). Can't wait until we have our own! __________________ Craig

June 29, 2009	#4
jcmorse33 Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Central Virginia Posts: 242	I will admit that I've never grown charentais melons. But I did come across a page where the guy is really into his melons and he talks about a comparison grow out he did between two types of charentais. I think he mentioned the signs he used for determining ripeness. http://www.waynesthisandthat.com/melons If you back out of his melons page he's got lots of other neat stuff he's tried as well. Definitely one of the coolest sites I've found. --Justin

June 30, 2009	#5
Tormato Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: MA Posts: 4,971	Craig, It's not what to look for, it's what to smell for. The nose knows when it's ripe. Gary