Citrullus lanatus
Origin: Leesburg, Florida
Improvement status: Cultivar
Seeds per packet: ~20
Germination tested 11/2023: 88%
Life cycle: Annual
This one here is a classic "picnic" watermelon, with each fruit growing to over 2 feet long and upwards of 40 pounds! But it's not just enormous, it's also sweet, crunchy, juicy, and long-keeping. Many consider it one of the best-tasting watermelons. It was released by the Florida Agricultural Experiment Station in 1963. It has a medium-thick tough rind (good for pickling) with greenish-white and dark green stripes. It's an excellent large late-season shipper, so it will store well for you at home too. It performs especially well in areas with long, hot growing seasons, but is surprisingly versatile given its Florida provenance. Our seed comes from Restoration Seeds in Oregon.
