Vegetable Varieties for Gardeners

Reviewed on 01/17/2007 by California Olive - An experienced gardener
Overall Taste Yield Ease	California, United States Frost Free Season: More than 203 days Soil Texture: Clay Garden Size: Large - More than 1,600 square feet (40' x 40') Sun Exposure: More than 8 hours per day
This melon produced sweet and tasty fruit in our hot, dry climate. The flesh was not very thick, but the color was dramatic - a saturated salmon-rose color - and the texture of the flesh was unusually fine. The flavor reminded me a little of Crenshaw melons - it doesn't have a muskmelon flavor. It is dramatic for parties when cut in thin longitudinal sections and arranged with chunks of other smooth-skinned melons, all served with peels intact. This is still a novelty melon, and I have read that there has been much variability in quality of the fruit. I got seed from Willhite, and I expect they may have improved their strain. They sell mostly fungicide-treated seed, in case this is a consideration for you. There was still some variability in size and shape of the melons, but the flavor seemed fairly consistent to me. Don't believe any catalog that says the fruit tastes like a banana. This variety was reportedly one parent of another heirloom variety, 'Oka'. Color and texture of flesh might be the two best attributes which this melon could contribute in melon breeding. I also prefer melons which slip when they are ripe, as this one does - but it can be harvested at forced slip in our climate if you have not over-watered.

Reviewed on 05/05/2006 by farmerdill - An experienced gardener
Overall Taste Yield Ease	Richmond, Georgia, United States Frost Free Season: 183 - 203 days Soil Texture: Sand Garden Size: Large - More than 1,600 square feet (40' x 40') Sun Exposure: More than 8 hours per day
Under good conditions, produces beautiful 4 -5 lb melons. It is pretty erratic in size and shape when stressed in any way. I don't care for the flavor and texture at all. Has a cucumber after taste.