Favorite melons?

BigVanVader · January 2, 2020

I am planning on growing mostly melons this year (musk/Watermelon/true cantalopes) and was curious of you fine folks favorite melons.

I am especially interested in melons that perform well in the South, and ofc rare heirloom varieties, but growing region isn't a deal breaker for me. Thanks for any info, I am narrowing down my list and want to add a couple more.

My favorites so far:
Ha'Ogen
Crenshaw
Halona
Oranglo

Thanks, & Happy New Year everyone!

Tormato · January 2, 2020

HaOgen and Orangeglo , here. If only HaOgen had the "perfume" of some of the less tasty ones.

If looking for size, I recommend (Week's) North Carolina Giant melon (not watermelon). I've heard of 70 pounders, but cannot verify it.

Melon and watermelon growers may have something in common with fishermen.

BigVanVader · January 2, 2020

Ha'Ogen is amazing. I've heard Orange Tendersweet watermelon is as good or better than Orangeglo, but I'll need to grow it to find out.

Marcus1 · January 3, 2020

Besides halona that you listed

Hannahs Choice and Cresent Moon for cantaloupe
San Juan annas melon
Lambkin
Jade Star and Lemon Krush watermelon

BigVanVader · January 3, 2020

Thanks Marcus.

I was searching around today and found many unusual ones here for anyone interested. https://www.nativeseeds.org/collections/melons

b54red · January 3, 2020

By far the best tasting cantaloupe for the south is Ambrosia in my opinion. It is a large luscious melon with very thick walls and it is extremely sweet and juicy. The weakness is no resistance to RKN that I can see. When I grow it I usually have good production for a while but as the season goes on the nematodes just destroy the roots. Give it a try but let me warn you it can be addictive.

Bill

luke · January 3, 2020

Ambrosia is the best cantaloupe down here. I always plant moon & stars, because they're kinda cool. I'm also a fan of orange and yellow meat watermelons, but I haven't located seeds for the ones I grew up eating.

I've always had trouble getting melons to mature, and it's kinda troubling. Both sides of my family had truck patches a couple of generations ago to make some side money. I keep that personal problem to myself.

imp · January 3, 2020

Another good melon for hot areas is green machine or green nutmeg, both small, but quite tasty for me here in Texas. The Crane melon out of Sonoma county area is excellent, bigger and does need to have water held at ripening, but people used to drive a 100 miles to get them.

wildcat62 · January 4, 2020

We enjoyed Crème de la Crème melons last year. Also grow Moon & Stars every year.

BigVanVader · January 4, 2020

Looks like Ambrosia is getting added. Bill all good melons are addicting for me. That's why I've started growing so many! ��

BigVanVader · January 4, 2020

Quote:

Originally Posted by imp

Another good melon for hot areas is green machine or green nutmeg, both small, but quite tasty for me here in Texas. The Crane melon out of Sonoma county area is excellent, bigger and does need to have water held at ripening, but people used to drive a 100 miles to get them.

Is this the same one Sandhill carries?

Tormato · January 4, 2020

Quote:

Originally Posted by imp

Another good melon for hot areas is green machine or green nutmeg, both small, but quite tasty for me here in Texas. The Crane melon out of Sonoma county area is excellent, bigger and does need to have water held at ripening, but people used to drive a 100 miles to get them.

I once read where one gardener in Arizona(?) figured out how to grow tasty melons in brutal conditions. He basically divided a circular area around the root mass into thirds (three slices to this pie). He would only water one "slice" a day, then another slice on another day, etc...to complete the circle.

Unfortunately, I don't remember anything about the frequency of the watering, whether it was daily or less, or how many days between completing circles.

mike5953 · January 5, 2020

+1 for Green Machine!
Also, Edisto 47 is an excellent performing/tasting melon in my garden: https://www.southernexposure.com/pro...-47-muskmelon/

BigVanVader · January 5, 2020

Quote:

Originally Posted by mike5953

+1 for Green Machine!
Also, Edisto 47 is an excellent performing/tasting melon in my garden: https://www.southernexposure.com/pro...-47-muskmelon/

Thanks, I've had seeds for this for years now and I know it was bred by Clemson, but I wasn't sure if the flavor would be worth growing it. I may squeeze 1 plant in.

imp · January 5, 2020

I think it is the same, gets ripe when the freckles go orangey gold? Also, Collective Farm Woman melon is very good.

January 2, 2020	#1
BigVanVader Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: Greenville, South Carolina Posts: 3,099	Favorite melons? I am planning on growing mostly melons this year (musk/Watermelon/true cantalopes) and was curious of you fine folks favorite melons. I am especially interested in melons that perform well in the South, and ofc rare heirloom varieties, but growing region isn't a deal breaker for me. Thanks for any info, I am narrowing down my list and want to add a couple more. My favorites so far: Ha'Ogen Crenshaw Halona Oranglo Thanks, & Happy New Year everyone!

January 3, 2020	#8
imp Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Wichita Falls, Texas Posts: 4,832	Another good melon for hot areas is green machine or green nutmeg, both small, but quite tasty for me here in Texas. The Crane melon out of Sonoma county area is excellent, bigger and does need to have water held at ripening, but people used to drive a 100 miles to get them. __________________ I'm not a complete idiot, some parts are missing.

January 4, 2020	#9
wildcat62 Tomatovillian™ Join Date: May 2014 Location: Zone 6 Northern Kentucky Posts: 1,094	We enjoyed Crème de la Crème melons last year. Also grow Moon & Stars every year. __________________ Mark

January 5, 2020	#15
imp Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Wichita Falls, Texas Posts: 4,832	I think it is the same, gets ripe when the freckles go orangey gold? Also, Collective Farm Woman melon is very good. __________________ I'm not a complete idiot, some parts are missing.

January 2, 2020	#2
Tormato Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: MA Posts: 4,971	HaOgen and Orangeglo , here. If only HaOgen had the "perfume" of some of the less tasty ones. If looking for size, I recommend (Week's) North Carolina Giant melon (not watermelon). I've heard of 70 pounders, but cannot verify it. Melon and watermelon growers may have something in common with fishermen.

January 3, 2020	#4
Marcus1 Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Colorado Posts: 124	Besides halona that you listed Hannahs Choice and Cresent Moon for cantaloupe San Juan annas melon Lambkin Jade Star and Lemon Krush watermelon

January 3, 2020	#6
b54red Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Alabama Posts: 7,068	By far the best tasting cantaloupe for the south is Ambrosia in my opinion. It is a large luscious melon with very thick walls and it is extremely sweet and juicy. The weakness is no resistance to RKN that I can see. When I grow it I usually have good production for a while but as the season goes on the nematodes just destroy the roots. Give it a try but let me warn you it can be addictive. Bill

January 3, 2020	#7
luke Tomatovillian™ Join Date: May 2011 Location: Mississippi Posts: 177	Ambrosia is the best cantaloupe down here. I always plant moon & stars, because they're kinda cool. I'm also a fan of orange and yellow meat watermelons, but I haven't located seeds for the ones I grew up eating. I've always had trouble getting melons to mature, and it's kinda troubling. Both sides of my family had truck patches a couple of generations ago to make some side money. I keep that personal problem to myself.

January 5, 2020	#13
mike5953 Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Raleigh, NC Posts: 97	+1 for Green Machine! Also, Edisto 47 is an excellent performing/tasting melon in my garden: https://www.southernexposure.com/pro...-47-muskmelon/