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Petit Gris de Rennes Cantaloupe
85 days to harvest
Cucumis melo
“This melon gives me the chills,” says Amy Goldman. “You will blink your eyes with disbelief when you sample its sweetness, which is more like brown sugar than white. It will melt on your tongue, and your mouth will water for more.” Petit Gris de Rennes Cantaloupe is surprisingly easy to grow, even in short seasons, producing 3 to 4 exquisite fruit per plant.
Her name translates to “little grey of Rennes,” referring to her rind color before maturity and where she was first documented to have been grown in a bishop’s garden.
Alas, Petit Gris de Rennes does not travel well, so she has been forgotten by commercial seed houses. It is our pleasure to share these seeds with you then, all the more.
Organic Petit Gris de Rennes Cantaloupe
Planting Method: Direct Sow Only
When to sow: Sow 1–2 weeks after last frost when soil is above 70°F
Sowing and seedling care: Sow 3 seeds every 3-4 feet. Thin to 1 plant/group. Protect from Cucumber Beetles & increase heat with floating row cover and hoops until flowering. Ample water during pollination & fruit set essential.
Seed Depth: 1 inch Sun Needs: Full
Days to Germination: 4-8
Spacing after thinning: 3-4 feet
Days to Harvest: 85 days to fruit
Height: 6-foot+ vines
Harvest: If the tendril on the stem opposite the fruit is brown and dry, you likely have a ripe melon. Rind on the ground softening and rich melon scent is also a hint, especially on the blossom end. Split melon? Eat it right away!
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Carol (verified owner) –
This truly is a lovely little melon! The flavor is difficult to describe – it is sweet, obviously, but also very rich – it has more depth of flavor than any other variety I have grown. The color change upon ripening is dramatic and easy to spot. They progress rapidly from ripe to over-ripe, split-open, so I keep a close watch on them when they first start to show a tinge of gold. They are definitely worth the effort!