Melon Cyrano F1 - Cucumis melo

The 'Cyrano' F1 Melon is an excellent hybrid variety of cantaloupe melon. It is of market garden quality, very early, robust and easy to grow. In the vegetable garden, it stands out for its high productivity, resistance to diseases and heat, as well as the delicious taste of its fruits. This melon produces fruits weighing around 1 kg, with a greyish, embroidered skin and a beautiful, firm, fragrant and sweet orange flesh, equally enjoyable as an appetizer or dessert. It also keeps very well and does not require pruning.

The 'Cyrano' F1 Melon plug plants are planted from April to June, after the last frosts, for a harvest from July to September. Grafting allows for a faster and more abundant harvest.

The technique of grafting consists of giving a desired variety (in this case, 'Cyrano') the root system of another specially selected variety, called the rootstock. This rootstock has excellent resistance to soil parasites and diseases (particularly fusarium wilt), which provides the plant with extra vigor: it becomes more resistant to challenging external conditions (such as cold climates) and will yield more than a non-grafted plant.

The Melon is an annual herbaceous plant, creeping, belonging to the Cucurbitaceae family. It has a round or elongated fruit, with a smooth, ribbed or reticulated skin. The very watery flesh can be green, white, yellow or orange.

It can be consumed raw as an appetizer or dessert, as well as in sorbets, jams, compotes or syrup. The small melons removed during thinning and pruning can be pickled, marinated in vinegar and accompanied by herbs. Refreshing and diuretic, melon is rich in trace elements and vitamins A, B, and C.

Melons need a nutrient-rich soil and plenty of heat for good fruiting.

Harvesting: The melon is ready to be harvested when it emits a sweet smell and a small crack appears around the stem. Cut it with pruning shears. Harvesting takes place from July to September approximately.

Storage: The melon can be stored for a few days (up to 5 days) in a dry and well-ventilated place, such as on racks. If it has been cut or has suffered a shock, it can be frozen (cut the flesh into pieces and moisten it with lemon juice).

Gardener's tip: Place a slate plate or a tile under the fruit. It will no longer be in direct contact with the ground, thus preventing it from rotting due to moisture. Also, consider mulching around the plants, especially during the height of summer, to keep the soil cool.