The Banana di Lentigione melon is a vigorous , creeping variety native to a small province near the border with Parma, Italy. It is distinguished by its round, smooth, ribless fruits with green skin and dark, irregular stripes. Its whitish pulp is tender, very juicy, and has a slight banana flavor. These fruits can weigh up to 2 kilos . This variety is ideal for those looking for an original melon with a subtle flavor.

How to successfully sow melons

Sowing melons in pots

Melons need a lot of heat (between 24 and 35°C) and light to germinate. The temperature during the day should therefore be within this range and not drop below 15°C at night. It is therefore advisable to sow your melon seeds in a warm frame or heated greenhouse in March/April, and replant them in the garden after the risk of frost has passed, i.e. in mid-May.

Sow 2 or 3 seeds (point downwards) per pot filled with fine seed compost at a depth of 1 cm .

Water regularly to keep the soil moist (but not soggy) with a sprayer.

Place your seedlings near a window or in a very sunny location.

As soon as the seedlings start to emerge, make sure they receive maximum light.

Remove the weakest seedlings and keep only the most vigorous ones.

Melon sowing in place

This method is reserved for residents of the south of France or Mediterranean climates.

Spacing : Space 80 cm to 1 m between each future melon plant.

Sowing : Place 2 to 3 seeds per pocket at a depth of 1.5 cm .

Cover with a mixture of sifted garden soil and mature compost .

Protect seedlings with a cloche or a frame at the start of cultivation.

Keep only the most beautiful plant.

Melon Plantation

Young plants can be planted in the garden between April and mid-June .

For cooler regions, it is recommended to keep a plastic tunnel at the beginning of the growing season to provide additional warmth.

Spacing : Ensure a spacing of 80 cm to 1 m between each plant.

Melon prefers a warm , sunny location and rich , deep soil, particularly rich in potash .

Before planting, lightly loosen the soil and add compost .

Association with the vegetable garden

In the vegetable garden, melons grow well with most vegetables, but avoid planting them with cucumbers and squash .

Melon Culture

Newer melon varieties, such as the Banana di Lentigione , do not require significant pruning, except for topping (cutting off the head).

Once the plant has formed 4 to 6 leaves, prune the main stem to encourage good branching and more fruiting.

Watering : Melons require regular but limited watering. Do not wet the foliage to avoid the appearance of powdery mildew .

Weeding : Weed in the first few weeks after planting to avoid competition. Then, mulch the soil when it is warm (late June-early July).

Sun exposure : Remove leaves that shade the fruit so that it receives maximum sunlight.

To provide additional warmth, place wooden boards or tiles under the fruit to protect it from soil moisture.

Melon Harvest

The Banana di Lentigione melon can be harvested about 2 to 3 months after transplanting .

Appearance : The melon is beginning to turn pale and its stem should appear to peel off effortlessly.

Fragrance : You will also smell a more pronounced fragrance.

Do not store it in the refrigerator , as this will harm its delicate aromas. Fully ripe melons can be recognized by a small crack around the stem, a sign that it will soon detach.

Melon Diseases

Melon is susceptible to several diseases, including:

• Cucurbit mildew
• Cladosporium leaf spot
• Powdery mildew

To avoid these problems:

• Avoid watering foliage at the end of the day, especially during hot and humid periods (summer thunderstorms).
• At the end of the season, you can install tiles or boards under each melon to protect them from humidity.
• The main pests are aphids and seedpod flies . It is recommended to plant when temperatures are high enough to allow rapid plant growth, thus minimizing the risk of pests.