Cucumis melo Petit Gris de Rennes

Cucumis melo 'Petit Gris de Rennes' is said to be the result of a cross between cantaloupe and 'Sucrin de Tours' melon. It produces a smaller fruit than its parents that is spherical and green-grey, blending with the foliage. Its orange flesh is generally finer and sweeter. Where melons need a lot of heat, this variety can withstand cooler climates. However, it is quite fragile and sensitive to shocks. Its skin is only 1mm thick. This old variety requires appropriate melon pruning, and therefore needs a lot of care and attention. However, it is very rewarding as its flavour is fine and sweet. Its small size - about 10cm (4in) in diameter - is ideal for growing up a trellis. Sow the seeds from March to May for a harvest between July and September.

Melons are most likely native to Asia. However, their first tangible traces are found in Egypt, 5 centuries BC. They can then be found in ancient Greece and Rome, where the unripe fruit was eaten seasoned with salt and pepper to enhance the taste. It was a delicacy for popes and aristocrats. Several species and numerous varieties emerged, while the methods of preparation and cultivation of melon diversified.

The melon is a compact fruit that is round or oblong with a smooth, ribbed or reticulated skin. The juicy flesh can be green, white, yellow, or orange, and surrounds a central cavity filled with seeds. It is commonly consumed raw as an appetiser or sweet dessert, as well as in sorbets, jams, compotes, or syrup. The small melons removed during thinning and pruning can be pickled in vinegar with herbs. Melons are hydrating, refreshing, and diuretic. They are reputed to be rich in trace elements and vitamins B and C in particular. Orange-fleshed varieties also contain vitamin A (the famous carotene).

They are annual creeping herbaceous plants, with female flowers distinguished from male flowers by their inferior ovary (under the flower), resembling an embryo of a fruit. They are located on the secondary or tertiary branches of each plant and will develop into the fruit. As for the male flowers, they always appear in the axils of the leaves on the main stem.
 

Harvesting: wait four weeks between fruit formation and picking. The fruit will emit a sweet smell and the stalk will start to detach, indicating that the melon is ready to be harvested.

Storage: an unopened melon can be stored for up to 5 days in a dry and airy place. Rest it on racks, for example. If it has been cut open or has been damaged, you can freeze it. Remove the skin and central seeds, then cut it into pieces and moisten it with the juice of a lemon before placing in the freezer.

Gardener's tip: place a slate tile under the fruit to block direct contact with the ground. This avoids rotting from excess moisture. Mulch around the plants, especially during the height of summer, as melon plants like moist soil.

Melons are highly susceptible to powdery mildew (a fungal disease that leaves a white powdery coating on the surface of the leaves). Be careful not to water the leaves or flowers.

Melons are nutrient-demanding fruits. They belong to the Cucurbitaceae family, like cucumbers, watermelons, and squash, etc. This family are notorious for depleting the nutrients in the soil. Therefore, it is advisable not to grow this type of fruit in the same location, or consecutively, in order to avoid excessively depleting the soil.

Plant them with oregano, as they are good companions both in the garden and on the plate.