The honeydew melon and other sugar melons
The honeydew melon is a subspecies of the so-called sugar melons. Their best-known representatives are the following melon varieties:
- Charentais melon
- Cantaloupe melon
- Galia melon
- Futuro melon
- Honeydew melon or yellow canary
also read
- The origin of the honeydew melon
- Can you freeze a honeydew melon?
- The season of the honeydew melon
While the Charentais melon is relatively small, a honeydew melon can weigh around two kilograms. As a ripe honeydew melon, cut it and keep it in the refrigerator, just like watermelon. Since the honeydew melon does not really ripen when unripe, it should only be harvested or bought when fully ripe.
The origin of today's varieties
The honeydew melon, like the watermelon, originates from Africa. The tasty fruits were also grown in Persia several thousand years ago. The varieties commercially available today got their name “Yellow Canary” from one of their main cultivation areas, but actually come from breeding in Algeria and France. The kernels from commercially available fruits can usually be used for cultivation in the greenhouse or in your own garden.
Grow the honeydew melon yourself
Before sowing, you must first remove any pulp that has adhered to the seeds. Otherwise, the seeds can mold very quickly after planting in the sowing pot and spoil before germination. Since honeydew melons need a lot of sun and warmth for their growth and the development of fruits, growing them in a greenhouse is advisable. The plants can also be moved to the windowsill in early spring and then planted out in a sunny spot in the garden from May. Before planting out, you should get the young plants used to the strong sunlight outdoors for a few days by placing the plants with the pot outside for a few hours each day.
Tips & Tricks
With its mildly sweet flesh, the honeydew melon is not only tasty as a dessert or as a fruity refreshment for in between meals. A popular type of appetizer combines the sweetness of honeydew melon with the tangy flavor of smoked ham.
