EarliChamp

SKU: ML502
The fruit from EarliChamp cantaloupe seeds are larger and heavier, and the plant has an improved array of disease resistance - Powdery Mildew Resistance, Fusarium Wilt Resistance races 0 & 2. Best of all, the thick orange flesh is wonderfully sweet with a Brix rating of 12-14%... Sweet! Read More

Exposure Full-sun

Matures in 72 days

Season Warm season

Seed type F1 ?

EarliChamp has a rating of 4.5 stars based on 6 reviews.
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Shipping & Returns

West Coast Seeds ships anywhere in North America. However, we are not able to ship garlic, potatoes, asparagus crowns, bulbs, onion sets, Mason bee cocoons, or nematodes outside of Canada. We regret, we cannot accept returns or damages for orders outside of Canada. The minimum shipping charge to the US is $9.99.

EarliChamp

Product Details

This melon is very similar to the popular Earligold cantaloupe, with its slight sutures and heavy netting. The fruit from EarliChamp cantaloupe seeds are larger and heavier, and the plant has an improved array of disease resistance - Powdery Mildew Resistance, Fusarium Wilt Resistance races 0 & 2. Best of all, the thick orange flesh is wonderfully sweet with a Brix rating of 12-14%... Sweet! Start EarliChamp seeds indoors near the end of April in coastal gardens, and transplant only when the soil is warm at the end of May or even in June. Provide any extra heat you can, and grow in full sun in highly fertile soil.

Matures in 72 days. (Hybrid seeds)

Quick Facts:

    • Sweet, thick orange flesh
    • Slight sutures and heavy netting
    • Large, heavy fruits
    • Hybrid seeds
    • Matures in 72 days

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EarliChamp

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All About EarliChamp

Latin

Latin
Cantaloupes (musk melons) & Honeydews: Cucurbita melo
Watermelons: Citrullus lanatus
Family: Cucurbitaceae

Difficulty

Difficulty
Easy in a greenhouse or cloche, or outdoors in long, warm summers.Β Somewhat challenging without these conditions.

Season & Zone

Season & Zone
Season: Warm season
Exposure: Full-sun

Timing

Timing
It is essential to start seeds indoors or in a greenhouse 4-6 weeks after the last frost date. Transplant when the plants are 5 weeks old. Optimal soil temperature for germination: 20-25Β°C (68-77Β°F). Seeds should sprout in 5-10 days.

Starting

Starting
Sow seeds 1cm (½”) deep. Set transplants 60-90cm (24-36β€³) apart in rows 1.5-2m (5-6β€²) apart.

Days to Maturity:

Days to Maturity: From transplant date.

Growing

Growing
Ideal pH: 6.0-6.8. Choose a warm, well-drained soil. Add dolomite lime and compost or well-rotted manure to the bed and Β½-1 cup ofΒ balanced organic fertilizer beneath each transplant. Melons need warm growing conditions. Use black plastic mulch, cloches, or floating row covers. Success may improve in raised beds. Melons plants require 8-10 weeks of good, hot growing weather from the middle of June to the end of August. During that time, a melon vine must grow 5-9 leaves before starting to flower, then set 4 or more male flowers before making its first female flower, and then ripen its fruit before cool, damp weather sets in. Melons do not ripen off the vine. During the entire growing season, make sure to provide ample water.

Harvest

Harvest
Fruit will ripen in late August to early September. Ripe cantaloupe will easily detach from the vine when light finger pressure is applied to the stem. Watermelon is ripe when the tendril nearest to the fruit withers and dries up.

Seed Info

Seed Info
In ideal conditions at least 60% of seeds will germinate. Usual seed life: 3 years. Per 100β€² row: 60 seeds, per acre: 5.2M seeds.

Companion Planting

Companion Planting
Melons are great companions for corn, marigolds, nasturtiums, pumpkin, radish, squash, and sunflowers. Avoid planting near potatoes. Melon leaves are full of calcium, so they’re good for the compost heap.

More on Companion Planting.

How to Grow Melons

Step 1

Timing

It is essential to start seeds indoors or in a greenhouse 4-6 weeks after the last frost date. Transplant when the plants are 5 weeks old. Optimal soil temperature for germination: 20-25Β°C (68-77Β°F). Seeds should sprout in 5-10 days.

Step 2

Starting

Sow seeds 1cm (½”) deep. Set transplants 60-90cm (24-36β€³) apart in rows 1.5-2m (5-6β€²) apart.

Step 3

Growing

Ideal pH: 6.0-6.8.

Choose a warm, well-drained soil. Add dolomite lime and compost or well-rotted manure to the bed and Β½-1 cup ofΒ balanced organic fertilizer beneath each transplant. Melons need warm growing conditions. Use black plastic mulch, cloches, or floating row covers. Success may improve in raised beds. Melons plants require 8-10 weeks of good, hot growing weather from the middle of June to the end of August. During that time, a melon vine must grow 5-9 leaves before starting to flower, then set 4 or more male flowers before making its first female flower, and then ripen its fruit before cool, damp weather sets in. Melons do not ripen off the vine. During the entire growing season, make sure to provide ample water.

Step 4

Germination

Days to maturity: From transplant date.

In ideal conditions at least 60% of seeds will germinate. Usual seed life: 3 years. Per 100β€² row: 60 seeds, per acre: 5.2M seeds.

Step 5

Harvest

Fruit will ripen in late August to early September. Ripe cantaloupe will easily detach from the vine when light finger pressure is applied to the stem. Watermelon is ripe when the tendril nearest to the fruit withers and dries up.

Tips

Companion Planting

Melons are great companions for corn, marigolds, nasturtiums, pumpkin, radish, squash, and sunflowers. Avoid planting near potatoes. Melon leaves are full of calcium, so they’re good for the compost heap.

Customer Reviews & Questions