melon seeds

[latvianchick]

I'm in MA, and I tried a Californian Crenshaw melon today. Holy cow, these things are delicious. I'd love to plant some next year. Does anyone know if Crenshaws come true from seed? Or are they some sort of hybrid whose offspring bear no resemblance to their delicious parents? And how do you prepare melon seeds?

Thanks, guys!

Comments

[liminalia]

Did you plant any other melons or cucurbites this year? If not, they should breed true.

[latvianchick]

Oh, I bought this melon in a store. It was grown in CA, according to label. Sorry I wasn't being clear.

[eqfe]

That kinda gives you two reasons not to save the seed. Even if it breeds true, its a variety that is adapted to California conditions. I would buy seeds from a local seen company, like Johnny's Selected seeds, they have varieties bred for Northern Conditions.

[latvianchick]

Thanks for the comments!

I suspected that much, but wow, that was a really delicious melon.

[eqfe]

The whole melon\squash\cucumber family cross fertilizes fairly routinely. You can never quite be sure what will grow from any seeds that you save. Personally, and I just don't have the space to spare for an experiment.
Also, not sure what part of MA your in, but melons need warm soil, so its one of the few plants where I would recommend black plastic mulch to heat the soil.

[liminalia]

This. In my zone 5 I've never had good luck with melons except in really hot years.

[eqfe]

Truth be told, that's been my experience in zone 6 also.