{"title":"Melons","description":"Melon variety seeds.","products":[{"product_id":"semences-cucamelon-melon-souris-ancestral","title":"Cucamelon Heirloom (Mouse Melon)","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eMelothria scabra\u003c\/em\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA Mexican botanical curiosity that looks like a mini-watermelon the size of a large grape — dark-and-light green stripes included — but crunches in the mouth like a cucumber, with a lightly tangy, almost lemony finish. The cucamelon is not a cucumber despite appearances (different genus, \u003cem\u003eMelothria\u003c\/em\u003e, in the same broad Cucurbitaceae family), but a distinct plant cultivated by the Mesoamerican peoples since pre-Columbian times. Known in Spanish as \u003cem\u003esandita\u003c\/em\u003e (\"little watermelon\") or \u003cem\u003esandía de ratón\u003c\/em\u003e (\"mouse watermelon\") — hence the French \u003cem\u003emelon souris\u003c\/em\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAn extremely productive climbing plant: a single specimen can yield several hundred fruits in a season, picked by hand like grapes. Delicious eaten as-is as a garden snack, tossed whole into a salad for the visual surprise, pickled in vinegar where they take on a lightly piquant dimension (the famous \u003cem\u003epepquinos\u003c\/em\u003e at the cocktail hour), sliced into cocktails in place of the cucumber wheel, or simply served to kids, who adore them — the small size makes them the ultimate food-toy. A surprising bonus: the plant also produces small underground tubers that can be dug up in autumn, stored frost-free through the winter, and replanted the following spring to restart the crop without starting again from seed.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eGrower's tip:\u003c\/strong\u003e Germination is capricious and slow — 1 to 3 weeks — given sustained warmth (22-25 °C). Start indoors 4-6 weeks before transplanting, in biodegradable pots to avoid transplant shock. Patience at first: the plant stays modest for the first few weeks after planting out, then literally explodes from mid-July onward, once the heat truly sets in. Install a sturdy trellis at transplanting — the vines race up to 3-4 metres and pull their weight once loaded with fruit. Harvest begins around mid-August and continues until the first frosts.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eOpen-pollinated. Monoecious; bee-pollinated. A distinct species from cucumbers; does not cross with any other common garden cucurbit, which simplifies seed saving.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eHeight: climbing vines 3-4 m — sturdy trellis required.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMaturity: 60-75 days after transplant. Continuous production from mid-August to the frosts.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eExposure: full sun, sheltered from wind.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eRich, well-drained soil kept cool. Space plants 60 cm apart on the trellis.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eStart indoors 4-6 weeks before last frost, in biodegradable pots. Transplant once all frost risk has passed and the soil reaches at least 18 °C (early June in Québec).\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e","brand":"Joual Vert","offers":[{"title":"20","offer_id":41381755977900,"sku":"GC-H-CUCAME-20","price":0.99,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":false},{"title":"100","offer_id":41381756010668,"sku":"GC-H-CUCAME-100","price":3.99,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true},{"title":"500","offer_id":41381756043436,"sku":"GC-H-CUCAME-500","price":15.99,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true},{"title":"2500","offer_id":44169100820652,"sku":"GC-H-CUCAME-2500","price":63.99,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0532\/1388\/8684\/products\/cucamelon_8d363e5c-0e41-4d5c-9c67-514fdf657dec.jpg?v=1664221244"},{"product_id":"melon-eau-sugar-baby-ancestral","title":"Sugar Baby Watermelon Heirloom","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eCitrullus lanatus.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe perfect little watermelon for nordic climates — a variety introduced in 1956 specifically to make watermelon culture possible in short-season regions. Where the great traditional round watermelons demand 90 to 110 frost-free days, Sugar Baby produces its fruits in just 75 to 85 days — a difference of a few weeks that makes the culture imaginable in Québec, where it is still rare and precious.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe English name \u003cem\u003eicebox watermelon\u003c\/em\u003e recalls an equally practical use: these small melons of 3 to 5 kg fit whole into most fridges, unlike the 10-to-15-kg behemoths you have to cut up to store. But the watermelon's history is far older than this modern variety — \u003cem\u003eCitrullus lanatus\u003c\/em\u003e originates in West Africa (the Sahel-Sudan region), where it was domesticated about 4,000 to 5,000 years ago. Seeds have been found in Tutankhamun's tomb (around 1325 BC), testimony of its diffusion to ancient Egypt.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA climbing plant with a spreading habit — 3 to 4 m of vines, with large divided dark green leaves and yellow flowers typical of the Cucurbitaceae family (with cucumbers, squashes, melons and loofah already described in our pages). Modest production: a single plant generally gives 2 to 4 fruits, but of such quality that it is amply compensated. Flattened-round fruits 15 to 20 cm across, 3 to 5 kg, with uniform almost-black green skin. Intense scarlet-red flesh, juicy, sweet (10 to 12 % brix at the ideal stage), with glossy black seeds but few in number.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eClassic summer watermelon flavour: refreshing, sweet-juicy, lightly perfumed. Uses: sliced into wedges for direct snacking (the use par excellence), in cubes in Greek-inspired \u003cem\u003ewatermelon-feta-mint\u003c\/em\u003e salad, in Andalusian watermelon \u003cem\u003egazpacho\u003c\/em\u003e; as granita (frozen purée crushed with a fork), as pressed juice for Mexican \u003cem\u003eagua fresca\u003c\/em\u003e, or in cocktails (the famous \u003cem\u003ewatermelon margarita\u003c\/em\u003e).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eGrower's tip:\u003c\/strong\u003e Indoor start essential in Québec — 4 to 6 weeks before transplanting, at 25-28 °C on a heat mat. Transplant early to mid-June once nights are stable above 15 °C, in the warmest spot in the garden (south wall ideal, with black-plastic mulch to warm the soil — an essential trick for melons at our latitudes). Space generously, 1 to 1.5 m between plants. For pollination, as with squashes and cucumbers already described, the watermelon is monoecious and needs bees to carry the pollen from male to female flowers. Harvest at full maturity — three converging signs tell you the melon is ready: (1) the underside patch (the zone touching the ground) shifts from greenish-white to creamy yellow, (2) the tendril closest to the fruit dries and browns, (3) the melon, tapped with a finger, returns a hollow, deep sound rather than a sharp one. Harvested too early it's bland; too late, mealy — mastering the moment of harvest is an art in itself.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eOpen-pollinated. Heirloom variety (1956). Annual. Monoecious, bee-pollinated, so crosses with other \u003cem\u003eCitrullus lanatus\u003c\/em\u003e, but NOT with cantaloupes (\u003cem\u003eCucumis melo\u003c\/em\u003e), cucumbers, squashes or loofahs (different genera).\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eVine length: 3 to 4 m.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMaturity: 75 to 85 days after transplant.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eExposure: full sun, maximum warmth.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eVery rich, well-drained, warm soil. Generous compost application at planting. Black-plastic mulch strongly recommended in Québec. Space plants 1 to 1.5 m apart.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eIndoor start 4 to 6 weeks before transplanting at 25-28 °C. Transplant early to mid-June once nights are above 15 °C. Harvest when the ground spot yellows and the adjacent tendril dries.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e","brand":"Joual Vert","offers":[{"title":"20","offer_id":42461778477228,"sku":"GC-H-WATSUB-20","price":3.99,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true},{"title":"100","offer_id":42461778509996,"sku":"GC-H-WATSUB-100","price":15.99,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true},{"title":"500","offer_id":44169103540396,"sku":"GC-H-WATSUB-500","price":63.99,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0532\/1388\/8684\/products\/sugar-baby.jpg?v=1678469975"},{"product_id":"cantaloup-delicious-51-ancestral","title":"Delicious 51 Cantaloupe Heirloom","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eCucumis melo.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA melon variety loved for its sweet flavour and juicy flesh. From the cucurbit family, this cantaloupe variety is grown for its taste quality and pleasant texture.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\"Delicious 51\" cantaloupe fruits are medium to large, with a clean, ribbed outer skin that generally turns from beige to orange at maturity. The flesh inside is bright orange and offers a tender, melting texture.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe \"Delicious 51\" flavour is characterized by pronounced sweetness and delicate aroma. Melons of this variety are often loved for their balance between sweet and fresh, which makes them delicious as a refreshing summer snack or as a sweet addition to fruit salads.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eGenerally grown in warm, sunny climates, \"Delicious 51\" cantaloupe is well-suited to gardens and fields in cooler climates. It needs well-drained, nutrient-rich soil, and benefits from sun exposure for optimal development.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis cantaloupe variety is often prized for its productivity and ease of growth, which makes it a popular choice among gardening enthusiasts looking to grow tasty melons at home. With its succulent taste and juicy flesh, \"Delicious 51\" cantaloupe remains a summer treat treasured by growers.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eOpen-pollinated.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eResistant to several common diseases.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eProduces ~2-3 lb (0.9-1.3 kg) fruits in ~83 days.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e","brand":"Joual Vert","offers":[{"title":"20","offer_id":42854162170028,"sku":"GC-H-CAND51-20","price":0.99,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true},{"title":"100","offer_id":42854162202796,"sku":"GC-H-CAND51-100","price":3.99,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true},{"title":"500","offer_id":42854162235564,"sku":"GC-H-CAND51-500","price":12.99,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true},{"title":"2500","offer_id":42854162268332,"sku":"GC-H-CAND51-2500","price":39.99,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0532\/1388\/8684\/files\/d51.jpg?v=1699566406"}],"url":"https:\/\/joualvert.ca\/en\/collections\/melons.oembed","provider":"Joual Vert","version":"1.0","type":"link"}