Watermelon, Art Combe's Ancient

Citrullus lanatis
 
I found Art Combe’s Ancient Watermelon while perusing heirloom seed catalogs in 2021. I started growing them out in Windward Oahu, selecting seed from the most resilient plants every season. The flesh is crisp, refreshing and sweet, with little to no mealy texture. Seeds are most often a reddish brown color when mature.
 
Most vines give one large melon, with a secondary smaller melon. The largest melon we’ve grown to date was 17.5lbs, but the average is about 14 lbs. Resistant to pickle worm and powdery mildew.
 
Seeds from this melon variety were found in an Arizona cave along the Mogollon Rim in 1920 by plant expert, Art Combe. The ancient red seeds were found inside of a small clay pot and were believed to be   stored by the Native American Hopi tribe that inhabited the area. Combe planted some of the seeds he found and was thrilled when a few of them successfully germinated! Fruit from the vigorous vines were small, flavorful, and with a thin crooked neck. Seed savers have since cultivated and preserved this unique variety, valued for its delicious flavor and heat and drought resistance. 
 
Seeds grown on O'ahu
15 seeds per packet 
DTM: 95-100 days