Delice De La Table

Family: Cucurbitaceae Vegetable

Fragrant, honeyed flesh blooms with a soft, yielding tenderness—Delice De La Table cantaloupe is prized for its deeply aromatic sweetness and a velvety bite that feels almost custard-like.

The rind frames a warm salmon-amber interior, offering a satisfying balance of juicy richness and gentle floral notes. Grow it for fresh enjoyment and for show-stopping fruit-forward preparations where its perfume and lush texture shine.

Light: Full SunMaturity: 85 DaysHabit: Vine

Botanical illustration of Delice De La Table

Planting schedules and alerts are optimized for Columbus (Zone 6b).

Crop Dates

Milestone	Date
Start Indoors	Apr 11th
Last Frost	Apr 25th
Transplant / Sow Outdoors	Apr 25th
Harvest Begins	Jul 19th
Harvest Ends	Oct 16th

Crop Details

Trait	Value
Days to Maturity	85
Sun Requirements	Full Sun
Growth Habit	Vine
Support Needed	Trellis
Planting Depth	Normal
Germination Temp (°F)	75
Min Soil Temp (°F)	65
Min Night Temp (°F)	55
Harden Off (days)	12

Culinary Notes

Chef's Note

Built for eating cold and unmasked: its honeyed perfume and custard-soft bite turn a simple wedge into a spoonable dessert. Handle gently—too much heat or aggressive seasoning mutes the floral aroma that makes Delice De La Table worth the knife.

Best Uses

cold fruit cups with a spoon (no heavy mixing—let the perfume lead)
thin wedges with flaky salt and lime zest to sharpen the finish
blend into a silky chilled sorbet or granita where its aroma stays intact
fold into prosciutto or cured-fish plates for a juicy, floral counterpoint

Flavor Profile

deeply aromatic honeyed sweetness velvety, custard-like tenderness gentle floral perfume juicy richness with a soft finish

Kitchen Pairings

lime prosciutto fresh mint feta chili flakes whipped cream

Frequently Asked Questions

What pest or disease problem is most common on Cucumis melo (cantaloupe/muskmelon), and what should I do first?

In Cucumis melo, powdery mildew is a very common leaf disease that shows up as a gray-white coating on older leaves, often mid-season. Start by removing and discarding the most heavily affected leaves and avoid wetting foliage during watering. Improve airflow by training vines upward and spacing plants to prevent a dense canopy; if needed, spray a labeled sulfur or potassium bicarbonate product early when you first see spots and repeat per the label interval.

How often should I water Cucumis melo during its main growing phase, and what soil moisture level should I aim for?

During active vine growth and fruit set, keep soil consistently moist but not soggy—aim for about 1 inch (2.5 cm) of water per week, split into 1–2 deep waterings depending on heat. Water at the base early in the day and let the top 1–2 inches of soil dry slightly between waterings to reduce mildew and root issues. Once fruits start to size up, avoid letting the soil swing between very wet and very dry, which can lead to poor flavor and fruit cracking.

How can I tell when Cucumis melo is ready to harvest at ~85 days?

Harvest when the fruit develops a strong muskmelon aroma near the stem end and the skin turns from green to a more creamy or yellow background color. Look for a “slip” when ripe—at harvest time the stem end should release with gentle twisting, not require pulling hard. The rind should feel firm (not soft) and the netting/scuffing on the rind should look well developed for the specific fruit.