Noir Des Carmes Melon Seeds Heirloom Irish grown

"Noir des Carmes Melon" is a French Heirloom from1787 and is one of France's oldest cantaloupe varieties. It was developed by Carmelite monks in France who grew them in monastery gardens as early as the 1800s. The vines are prolific and the fruits are dark green, nearly black, lobed, and glossy. When they ripen, they reach a diameter of about 12 cm and for us 15cm this year, each weighing approximately 1 kg. The skin becomes in some parts slightly orange with green mottling and quite a strong aroma. If not picked at the right time, it will easily be too ripe. This variety of melon is not really suitable for long storage. We already grew this variety last year. We love the strong flavour and scent of this melon and it never lasts long in our household. To help increase sweetness in the fruit, stop watering the plants about two weeks before harvest so the sugar concentrates in the fruits. Highly recommended for the gourmets. Amateur seeds grown and seed saved in Cork, Ireland, not certified for commercial use.

Scientific Name: Cucumis melo

Plant Life Cycle: annual

Optimal Germination Temperature: 21C

Germination time in days: 4-10 days

Indicative Days to maturity: 80 Days

Sunlight: Full sun

Soil requirement: humus, well drained and fertile soil

Sowing and cultivation: Start indoors 3-4 weeks before last frost. Sow 1.5 cm deep at 21C soil temperature. Direct sow in a polytunnel after last frost when soil temperature is over 21 °C.