Melon Seeds - Charantais - Hancho Hybrid
65 Days to maturity. Cucumis melo var. cantalupensis. Charantais Hakucho Melon Seeds. A non-GMO, annual, hybrid, heat-tolerant Asian Melon. Suitable for growing in garden plots, raised beds, and greenhouses. Also known as Charantais or Charentais melon, makuwauri, meron. The flesh of this French Charantais melon from Japan is yellow to orange in color. The fruit is aromatic, sweet, and just over 1 pound. The oval-shaped fruit has yellowish-gray skin with no netting. The sugar content is 16 percent brix. Excellent fresh, in fruit salads, as a dessert melon, or wrapped with prosciutto. Its unique flavor profile makes it sought after by gourmet home gardeners and specialty growers. ~2,800 seeds/oz.
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Growing Charantais Hakucho Melon in the Vegetable Garden
Choose a sunny site with well-drained, fertile soil. Amend the soil with compost or well-rotted manure a couple of weeks before planting to provide rich organic matter. When starting your seeds, you can direct sow once the soil has warmed to at least 65 F and all danger of frost has passed. Sow the seeds about 0.5 to 1 inch deep, placing two to three seeds in a small hill or mound. Space these hills 2 to 3 feet apart to allow the vigorous vines adequate room to spread and leave about 4-6 feet between rows. For those in cooler climates or desiring an earlier start, seeds can be started indoors about 2 to 4 weeks before your last average frost date and then transplanted outdoors once the soil warms.
Throughout the growing season, maintain consistently moist, but not waterlogged, soil to support healthy vine and fruit development. A trellis or support system can help improve air circulation, reduce contact with the ground, and protect fruits from pests. Training the vines upward or lightly pruning to focus energy on fewer fruits per plant can lead to larger, sweeter melons. Fertilize the melons with a balanced organic fertilizer or well-composted manure at planting and again as vines begin to run and set fruit. Be attentive to signs of nutrient deficiency, adjusting feeding as needed.
Harvesting Charantais Hakucho Melon
You’ll know the fruit is ready when it emits a sweet, fragrant aroma at the stem end and the rind near it begins to soften slightly. The melon may also detach from the vine with gentle pressure, a sign of full ripeness. Use clean pruning shears or a sharp knife to cut the melon from the vine, leaving a short piece of stem attached.
About Charantais Hakucho Melon Garden Seeds
This is a Japanese Hybrid variety of the famous French Charantais melon. It’s flavor is unmatched.
Charentais-type melons are an excellent source of vitamins A and C and beneficial antioxidants.
While it doesn’t have any widely recognized resistances, hybrid melons often have generally more vigor resisting pests and diseases over heirlooms.
It is possible to grow charatais melons in containers, but using a 55-gallon drum or half barrel is recommended. Otherwise, the ground is best for these sprawlers.
Charentais melons are very closely related to cantaloupes. They look and grow the same but have different favors.
Tips From Our Gardeners
"Companion plants such as nasturtiums and marigolds may help repel certain insect pests, while beans and peas can enrich the soil with nitrogen."
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- Lara Wadsworth, True Leaf Market Writer |
Other Resources
Charantais Hakucho Melon Seeds Per Package:
- 500 mg - Wholesale - Approximately 50 Seeds
- 1 oz - Wholesale - Approximately 2,800 Seeds
- 4 oz - Bulk Seeds - Approximately 11,200 Seeds
- 1 lb - Bulk Seeds - Approximately 44,800 Seeds
Non-GMO Charantais Hakucho Melon seeds are available for Fast Free Shipping on qualifying orders.
Basic Info
| Latin Name: | Cucumis melo var. cantalupensis |
| Melon Type: | Asian - Different types of melons that are either varieties originating from, or are very popular in one or more Asian countries. These may include cantaloupes, honeydew, pickling melons and other Asian melon classes. Other - There are many categories of melons and anything not included in one of the named categories here are included in 'other'. These include but aren't limited to Galia, Canary, Charentais, Winter, Piel de Sapo, Christmas melons, etc. |
| Charantais Hakucho Melon Color: | Skin is grey and flesh is yellow to orange. |
| Charantais Hakucho Melon Flavor: | Incredibly sweet, aromatic, and rich. More fragrant and intense than a standard cantaloupe with floral and tropical nuances. |
Growing Info
| Hardiness Zone: | 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11 Annual Crop: Not Intended to Overwinter |
| Days to Maturity: | 65 |
| Days to Germination: | 5-10 |
| Seeding Depth: | 0.5-1 inch |
| Plant Spacing: | 24-36 inches or 2-3 plants per hill. |
| Row Spacing: | 4-6 Feet |
| Plant Height: | 12-15 inches |
| Growth Habit: | Sprawled, Trailing Vine |
| Soil Preference: | Melons prefer warm, well-draining but moist, nutrient-rich, loamy to sandy loam soil with a pH of 6.5 to 7.5. |
| Temperature Preference: | Warmer (70-90 F). |
| Light Preference: | Full Sun |
Other
| Direct Sow: | Yes, direct sow 1-2 weeks after your last frost date. |
| Start Indoors: | Yes. Melons may be started indoors 2-4 weeks before your last spring frost date. Wait to transplant them outdoors until at least 1 week after your last frost date as melons grow best with warm soil. Avoid leaving them in seed starting containers for long as melons are sensitive to transplanting. Harden off to reduce the effects of transplant shock. |
| Melon Pollination: | Melons require insects, such as bees, for successful pollination. As monoecious plants they produce separate male and female flowers on the same plant. This means that not every flower will develop into fruit. We recommend growing an assortment of flowers near or throughout your garden to attract pollinators. |
| Plant Width: | 48-72 inches |
| Growth Speed: | Early - Ready for harvest around 50-75 days. |
| Deer Resistant: | No |
| Germination Temperature: | 70-95 F |
| Pests and Diseases: | Generally, melons are commonly susceptible to pest damage by aphids, cucumber beetles, squash bugs, cutworms, white flies, and melon worms. Look for signs of chewing, curling leaves, eggs on the undersides of leaves, and leaf discoloration. Melons are also susceptible to Powdery Mildew, Downy Mildew, and Fusarium Wilt, Anthracnose, and Bacterial Wilt. Maintain a regular watering schedule that avoids overly saturated soil. The roots need adequate time to air out between watering. This will also help prevent common fungal and bacterial diseases from developing. Good air circulation and applying water to the ground rather than the leaves will help maintain healthy bean plant growth. |
| Garden Size: | Greenhouse, Garden Plot, Raised Bed |
| Melon Use: | Eat fresh, such as sliced, cubed, halved, or scooped. Add the pieces to fruit salads and desserts, or pair them with cured meats or cheeses. Blend the fruit into cold soups, smoothies, or sorbets. |
| Climate Tolerance: | Heat |