Early melon seed Melonade

powdery mildew resistantfusarium resistantannual

Exclusive! Unique sweet and sour flavor. Very attractive, medium-large, netted fruits with pronounced sutures that are ready to cut from the vine when they are pale green to yellow. Tart flavor — the perfect balance of sweet and sour — sets it apart from other melons on the market. Excellent as a dessert or as an appetizer. Avg. 4–5 lb. round to oval fruits. The plants are vigorous and bear their crop in a concentrated set. High resistance to Fusarium races 0–2; and intermediate resistance to powdery mildew. Avg. 16,800 seeds/lb. Packet: 15 seeds. SCIENTIFIC NAME: Cucumis melo CULTURE: A light, well-drained soil with a pH of 7.0 and a southern exposure is ideal. Good soil moisture is important in early stages of growth and during pollination when fruits are setting. After this point do not water the last week before fruits are ripe, as overwatering can cause bland fruit. TRANSPLANTING: Sow indoors in 50-cell plug trays or 2-3" biodegradable pots in late April or one month (no sooner!) before transplanting outdoors. Plant 3 seeds/cell or pot, about 1/4" deep. Keep temperature 80-90°F (27-32°C) until germination. Handle young plants carefully and never let the soil dry out. Grow seedlings at 75°F (24°C). Reduce water and temperature for a week to harden-off seedlings. When the weather is frost-free, warm, and settled, transplant 2-3' apart in rows 6' apart or thin to 1 plant/cell or pot with scissors and transplant 18" apart. Even hardened-off melon seedlings are tender. Do not disturb roots when transplanting, and water thoroughly.