Vegetable Cultivar Descriptions for North America

Watermelon, Lists 1954-2002 Combined

Edited by Gary W. Elmstrom

SunSeeds Co.
7087 East Peltier Road
Acampo, CA 95220

and Fred McCuistion

Seminis Vegetable Seeds
432 Ty Ty Omega Road
Tifton, GA 31794

Africa 8 - Breeder: Rev. Rush Wagner, Old Umtali Mission, South Africa. Parentage: selection from accession sent by Wagner to Layton. Characteristics: round fruit, flaccid sweet red flesh, early maturity. Resistance: anthracnose. 1937.

Alabama Giant - Breeder: Willard Cole, Fort Payne, Ala. Parentage: cross between Cole's All Heart, Congo, and Black Diamond. Characteristics: long, striped melon; deep, red meat with dark seeds; good shipper. Adaptation: sandy soil. 1955.

Alena - Breeder: Newe Yaar Expt. Station, Haifa, Israel. Parentage: tetraploid developed by colchicine treatment of Sugar Baby seedlings. Characteristics: has classic polyploid features such as broader and thicker leaves, less branching, and slower growth than diploids, seed number per fruit is about 70 compared with 500-1000 in diploid Sugar Baby, flesh is darker red and firmer than that in Sugar Baby. 1981.

All Heart - Breeder: Willard Cole, Fort Payne, Ala. Parentage: Black Diamond x Congo x Dixie Queen. Characteristics: oblong, green with darker green stripe, red meat; seeds white with dark tip end. Resistance: fusarium wilt. Adaptation: high sandy soil. 1950.

Allsweet (Kansas 70-1,2,3) - Breeder: Charles V. Hall, Kansas Agr. Expt. Sta., Manhattan. Parentage: [(Miles x Peacock) x Charleston Gray]. Characteristics: long cylinder shape, broken stripe; very sweet, firm flesh with small dark-brown seeds. Resistance: fusarium wilt and anthracnose (except race 2). Similar: Crimson Sweet for quality. Adaptation: general. 1972.

Almora (XPH 964) - Breeder and vendor: Asgrow. Characteristics: F1 hybrid, hybrid of Sugar Baby type with lighter rind color. Similar: Sugar Baby. 1986.

Amarillo - Breeder: T. Williams. Vendor: Syngenta Seeds. Parentage: triploid seedless F1 hybrid. Characteristics: yellow fleshed, globe shaped fruit; striped medium green rind; fruit wt. 12-14 lb.; early maturity (80 days). Similar: Buttercup. 2001.

Angeleno - Parentage: possibly from Chilean watermelons or Chilean Black Seeded cultivar.

Apollo (PS 11052889) - Breeder and vendor: Seminis Vegetable Seeds. Parentage: triploid F1 hybrid. Characteristics: early, uniform, large Tri-X type seedless watermelon; fruit are oval shaped, 18-20 lbs., rind has a dark green stripe on a light green background; firm red flesh; small pip size; good fruit setting ability. Similar: Millionaire, Tri-X. Adaptation: NAFTA, Southeast U.S., Mexico. 2004.

Assal (XPH 5082) - Breeder and vendor: Asgrow Seed Co. Characteristics: F1 hybrid, an early maturing semi-round type, somewhat darker green than Chilean Black.; about 17 pounds; very high fruit set. Similar: Chilean Black. Adaptation: wide. 1985.

AU-Golden Producer (AU-83-1003CSY) - Breeder: Alabama Agric. Expt. Station, Auburn University. Vendor: Hollar and Co. Parentage: mutant of AU-Producer. Characteristics: similar in appearance to AU-Producer but flesh is a bright yellow-orange color. Resistance: fusarium wilt, anthracnose, gummy stem blight. 1993.

AU-Jubilant (AU-1) - Breeder: Alabama Agric. Expt. Station, Auburn University. Vendor: Hollar. Parentage: Jubilee x PI 271778. Characteristics: elongated fruit with narrow, dark green stripes on a light green background weigh 35-40 lb. Resistance: anthracnose race 2, fusarium wilt, gummy stem blight. Similar: Jubilee. 1985.

AU-Producer (AU-3) - Breeder: Alabama Agric. Expt. Station, Auburn University. Vendor: Hollar. Parentage: Crimson Sweet x PI 189225. Characteristics: round fruit with medium-wide dark green stripes on a light green background weigh 25-30 lb. Resistance: anthracnose race 2, fusarium wilt, gummy stem blight. Similar: Crimson Sweet. 1985.

AU-Sweet Scarlet (AW-82-50CS) - Breeder: Alabama Agric. Expt. Station, Auburn University. Vendor: Hollar and Co. Parentage: Crimson Sweet, PI 189225, Allsweet, PI 362515, Calhoun Sweet and Fusarium wilt Resistant Peacock. Characteristics: fruit are round to oblong in shape and similar in rind color to AU-Producer and weigh 4-6.5 kg, flesh is bright red and firm. Resistance: fusarium wilt races 0 and 1, anthracnose race 2, gummy stem blight. 1995.

Baby Gray (PSX 36585) - Breeder and vendor: Petoseed Co. Characteristics: F1 hybrid, Icebox watermelon, gray-green in color with excellent shipping qualities. Resistance: fusarium wilt. 1990

Baby Klondike - Breeder: Vegetable Crops Dept., Univ. of California, Davis. Parentage: Baby Delight x Klondike R-7. Characteristics: round, green, 10 to 12 pounds, red flesh, small tan seeds. Resistance: fusarium wilt. Adaptation: southwestern and southern United States. Calif. Agr. 6:15. 1952.

Baronet (XPH 962) - Breeder and vendor: Asgrow Seed Co. Characteristics: F1 hybrid, dark-green, cylindrical fruit, (20 to 24 pounds) small-seeded, with concentrated set. Similar: Picnic in color. Adaptation: southwestern United States, Mexico, and the Middle East. 1984.

Black Diamond, Yellow Belly - see Superior Black Diamond.

Black Kleckley - Breeder: Iowa. Parentage: Jugoslavia 7, Iowa Belle, Kleckley Sweet. Characteristics: darker rind than original Kleckley Sweet. 1945.

Black Seeded Klondike No.3 - Breeder: Dept. Vegetable Crops, University of California, Davis. 1933.

Blacklee - Breeder: Watermelon and Grape Investigations Laboratory, Florida Agr. Expt. Sta., Leesburg. Parentage: Leesburg x Hawkesbury. Characteristics: excellent internal quality, no hollow-heart or white heart, thin rind, good shipping qualities. Resistance: fusarium wilt. Similar: Kleckley Sweet. Adaptation: United States. Fla. Agr. Expt. Sta. Press Bul. 605. 1944.

Blackstone - Breeder: Southeastern Veg. Breed. Lab., Charleston, S.C. Parentage: Florida Giant, Fairfax. Characteristics: very prolific, good sizes, good quality shipper. Resistance: anthracnose; tolerant to fusarium wilt. Similar: Florida Giant. 1956.

Blue Belle (XP 765) - Breeder and vendor: Asgrow Seed Co. Characteristics: F1 hybrid, fruit small, round-oval; versatile for bulk shipping and local markets. Resistance: fusarium wilt. Similar: Sugar Baby. Adaptation: wide. 1977.

Brownlee - Breeder: Mr. Walker, Florida. Parentage: Leesburg x Hawkesbury. Characteristics: thin rind, good internal quality, sweet crisp red flesh with hollow heart or white heart. Similar: Kleckley Sweet. 1941.

Buist Little Gem - Breeder and vendor: Robert Buist Co. Characteristics: 75 days to harvest; earliest cultivar; fruit nearly round, small in size, 12 to 17 lb.; skin dark green stripes on gray green background; flesh pinkish red, very firm, sweet, delicious eating.

Burpee's Fordhook Hybrid - Breeder and vendor: W. Atlee Burpee Co., Philadelphia, Penn. Characteristics: F1 hybrid, early, prolific, small seeds and excellent quality; flesh bright red; weight 12 to 14 pounds. Similar: Sunnybrook. Adaptation: wide. Burpee catalog. 1958.

Bush Baby II (NVH 4274) - Breeder and vendor: Northrup, King and Co. Characteristics: F1 hybrid, bush type (3 to 5 feet across); round fruit with dark-green exterior; some green stripes; fruit averages 7 to 10 pounds; earlier than Sugar Baby. Resistance: fusarium. Similar: Sugar Baby. Adaptation: wide. 1985.

Bush Charleston Gray (82-4041) - Breeder: P.Yorty. Vendor: Musser Seed Co. Parentage: Sugar Bush x Charleston Gray. Characteristics: plants 3-4' diameter with fruit 60-70% the size of Charleston Gray, smaller seeds and finer flesh than Charleston Gray. Similar: Charleston Gray. PVP. 1983.

Bush Desert King - Breeder: Texas Agr. Expt. Sta., College Station. Parentage: mutation in Desert King. Characteristics: a distinct plant type; short internodes, dense foliage, fruit are Desert King type. Adaptation: southern United States. 1957.

Bush Jubilee (84-4052) - Breeder: P.Yorty. Vendor: Musser Seed Co. Parentage: Sugar Bush x Jubilee. Characteristics: plants 3-4' diameter, dwarf plants with fruit 60-70% the size of Jubilee. Seeds are smaller and the flesh has a finer texture than Jubilee. Similar: Jubilee. PVP. 1983.

Butterball - Breeder and vendor: D. Palmer Seed Co. Parentage: triploid F1 hybrid. Characteristics: seedless type with canary yellow flesh that is crisp and firm; very high yield; oval fruit shape; 15-18 lb fruit weight; narrow stripe on light green background; good shipper. Resistance: Fusarium wilt. Adaptation: U.S. 2002.

Buttercup (4505) - Breeder: Dr. Warren Barham. Vendor: D. Palmer Seed Co. Characteristics: tiger stripe, bright yellow flesh. Adaptation: most watermelon growing areas around the world. 1999.

Calhoun Gray - Breeder: North Louisiana Experiment Station, Calhoun, LA. Parentage: Calhoun Sweet x Charleston Gray. Resistance: anthracnose, fusarium wilt races 0 and 1. 1965.

Calhoun Sweet - Breeder: North Louisiana Expt. Sta., Calhoun. Vendor: Florida Tyner-Petrus Wholesale, West Monroe, La. Characteristics: good quality, early, prolific, drought and disease resistant, tender rind, local market type. Resistance: fusarium wilt, slightly resistant to anthracnose. Similar: Black Diamond. Adaptation: wide. Proc. SAWA. 1951.

California Klondike - Parentage: selection from Klondike. Similar: Klondike. 1933.

Calsweet - Breeder: Mr. Duke Layton, California. Parentage: selected from a breeding line of Charles V. Hall, (Miles x Peacock) x Charleston Gray, the same parents as Allsweet, Crimson Sweet. Characteristics: 21 x 18 inch size, 20-30 lb., wide indistinct stripes, bright red flesh. Resistance: fusarium wilt.

Campeche (SSC 1083) - Breeder: Qualiveg Seed Production. Vendor: Shamrock Seed Co. Parentage: F1 diploid hybrid. Characteristics: widely adapted; Allsweet rind pattern; vines with abundant foliage and broad leaves for fruit protection; fruit has an elongated shape with a 24 lb. average weight (larger girth than standard Allsweet); bright red flesh and high sugars enhance its overall internal quality; matures in 80-90 days and offers high yields over a long season. Resistance: Fusarium wilt (race 1) and anthracnose. Similar: Sangria. Adaptation: all watermelon growing regions. 2002.

Cardinal (XPH 5085) - Breeder and vendor: Asgrow Seed Co. Characteristics: F1 hybrid, early long-oval type with small seed with high seedling vigor. Similar: Calsweet. Adaptation: southwestern United States and Italy. 1985.

Carmen F1 - Breeder and vendor: Hollar and Co. Characteristics: F1 hybrid, medium-green exterior with dark gray-green stripes; oval shape, medium size. Resistance: fusarium wilt. Adaptation: western, midwestern, and southern United States, Australia, and the Middle East. 1985.

Carnival (RXW 118) - Breeder and vendor: Rogers. Characteristics: F1 hybrid, fruit have a blocky shape with Crimson Sweet rind color and weigh 22-26 lb, flesh is bright red and has 12-13 percent soluble solids and matures early. Resistance: fusarium wilt race 1, anthracnose race 1. Similar: Regency and Royal Sweet. 1995.

Carolina Bradford - Vendor: Robert Buist Co. Characteristics: 85 days to harvest; a fine shipping cultivar having a very tough, elastic rind; fruit large, 25 lb., oblong, deep green irregularly striped with a darker shading; flesh dark red, fine grained and sweet; seeds creamy white with some slightly mottled.

Carolina Cross #183 - Breeder and vendor: Burpee Seed. Characteristics: gigantic fruit, 200 lb. size, oblong fruit shape, light green rind with narrow dark green stripes, 100 days to harvest.

Celebration - Breeder: T. Williams. Vendor: Syngenta Seeds. Parentage: diploid seeded F1 hybrid. Characteristics: Allsweet type; large (21-26 lb.) blocky fruit; early, mid-season maturity (84 days). Resistance: fusarium wilt races 0, 1; anthracnose race 1. Similar: Summer Flavor 800. 1999.

Cha Cha Cha (SSC 31829) - Breeder and vendor: Shamrock Seed Co. Parentage: F1 triploid hybrid. Characteristics: seedless; consistent yield and quality over a wide range of production regions and growing conditions; strong vines produce oval shaped fruit weighing 17-19 lbs; rind is dark green with narrow, light green stripes; fruit has very sweet, bright red flesh and excellent rind demarcation; 75 days from transplant to harvest. Resistance: none claimed. Similar: Summer Sweet 5244. Adaptation: U.S. 2003.

Charlee (F83CE) - Breeder: Central Florida Research and Education Center, University of Florida, Leesburg. Vendor: Petoseed Co. Parentage: Texas W5, Charleston Gray, and Calhoun Gray. Characteristics: plants are vigorous and fruit ripen early-midseason, fruit is similar in shape, appearance, and weight to Charleston Gray, flesh texture and flavor is better than that of Charleston Gray, Jubilee, and Crimson Sweet. Resistance: fusarium wilt races 0 and 1, anthracnose race 1. PVP. 1990.

Charleston '76 (NCX 760) - Breeder and vendor: Niagara Chemical Div., FMC. Parentage: selection from Charleston Gray. Characteristics: brighter red flesh, blockier shape than Charleston Gray for easier shipping. Resistance: anthracnose and fusarium wilt. Similar: Charleston Gray. Adaptation: general. Amer. Veg. Grower, Dec. 1972.

Charleston Elite (NV 4300) - Breeder and vendor: Northrup, King and Co. Characteristics: open pollinated, fruits are long, cylindrical with blunt ends, averaging 24 lb, seeds are brown mottled. Resistance: fusarium wilt and anthracnose (race 1). Similar: Charleston Gray No. 133 and Charleston Gray No. 5. Adaptation: wide. 1983.

Charleston Express (NVH 4260) - Breeder and vendor: Northrup, King and Co. Characteristics: F1 hybrid, unique for earliness of maturity; produces smaller fruit than regular gray types, earliness is the primary distinguishing feature. Similar: Charleston Gray. 1988.

Charleston Gray (No. 51-27) - Breeder: Southeastern Veg. Breeding Laboratory, Charleston, S.C. Parentage: (((Africa 8 x Iowa Belle) x Garrison) x Garrison) x ((Hawkesbury x Leesburg) x Garrison). Characteristics: long, gray uniform shape, hard rind. Resistance: anthracnose, fusarium wilt, sunburn. Similar: Purdue Hawkesbury. Adaptation: universal regional. Seed Journals Oct. 1954.

Charleston Gray No.133 - Breeder: Mr. Stevenson, India. Parentage: Charleston Gray selected for higher wilt resistance. Characteristics: thinner rind; otherwise similar to Charleston Gray. Resistance: fusarium wilt. 1961.

Charleston Sweet (XP 2005) - Breeder and vendor: Asgrow Seed Co. Parentage: Charleston Gray x Asgrow line. Characteristics: more blocky than Charleston Gray, redder, sweeter flesh, small seed. Resistance: fusarium wilt. Adaptation: general. Asgrow Catalog. 1970.

Chris-Cross - Breeder: Chris Christensen, grower, Montrose, Iowa. Parentage: Hawkesbury x Dixie Queen. Characteristics: light green, dark stripe, black seed; oblong or oval shape, no white heart, no hollow heart; holds well after ripening. Resistance: fusarium wilt. Adaptation: wide, particularly to dry areas. 1950.

Colebrook - Breeder: E.M. Meader. Parentage: open pollinated selection from Korean cultivar Shingyamato. Characteristics: round, 10 lb. fruit, thick rind, striped pattern, bright red flesh, small brown seeds. Similar: Merrimack Sweetheart, Yankee Queen, Sweet Sugar. 1948.

Cole's Early (Harris' Earliest) - Breeder: Coles Seed Store, Pella Iowa. Vendor: Robert Buist Co. Characteristics: 80 days to harvest; extra early; a favorite in the North; for home market; fruit small size, 15 lb, short, nearly round, dark green stripes irregular on a light green background: rind tender; flesh light red, sweet and delicious; seeds black. 1892.

Companion (PS 11006741) - Breeder and vendor: Seminis Vegetable Seeds-Petoseed. Parentage: diploid open pollinated. Characteristics: small dwarf plant, compact, round gray fruit, 2-3 kg in size. Similar: none. Adaptation: North America, Mexico. 2002.

Condor (XPH 5080) - Breeder and vendor: Asgrow. Characteristics: F1 hybrid, an early, prolific Sugar Baby type, round, very dark outer color, no striping, excellent texture and flavor. Similar: Sugar Baby. 1983.

Congo - Breeder: USDA, Southeastern Vegetable Breeding Laboratory, Charleston, S.C. Parentage: (African x Iowa Belle) x Garrison. Characteristics: high quality and long bearing. Resistance: anthracnose. Adaptation: regional, to the southeastern United States. Southern Seedsman, Nov. 1949.

Conqueror - Breeder: Orton. Parentage: Eden x citron. Characteristics: insufficient fruit quality for commercial production; used to develop wilt resistant cultivars with acceptable fruit quality. Resistance: fusarium wilt. 1908.

Cooperstown (XP 4590339) - Breeder: David Dean. Vendor: Seminis-Asgrow. Parentage: F1 hybrid. Characteristics: seedless with mottle stripe on green background, oval fruit shape, medium to large size. Resistance: anthracnose, fusarium wilt. Similar: Tri-X-313. Adaptation: North America. 2000.

Corporal (PS 56595) - Breeder: Manual Rosa. Vendor: Seminis Vegetable Seeds-Petoseed. Parentage: F1 hybrid. Characteristics: seeded, all sweet type, late, wide strips, large fruit. Similar: Sangria. Adaptation: U.S., Mexico. 1999.

Crimson Glory (PS 38485) - Breeder and vendor: Petoseed Co. Characteristics: F1 hybrid, good early shipper with excellent yields and round square fruit, rind has a bright green background color with Crimson Sweet rind pattern. Resistance: fusarium wilt. 1990.

Crimson Sweet (Kan. 60-6) - Breeder: Charles V. Hall, Kansas State Univ., Manhattan. Parentage: (Miles x Peacock) x Charleston Gray. Characteristics: light green with dark stripe, fine texture, small dark seed, high sugar; excellent shipping quality. Resistance: anthracnose and fusarium wilt. Adaptation: general. Kansas State, 6 Feb. 1963.

Crimson Tide (NVH 4268) - Breeder and vendor: Northrup, King and Co. Characteristics: F1 hybrid, Crimson Sweet type, with a slightly darker stripe; fruit 24 lb, semi-elongated with small, dark-brown seeds; matures in Crimson Sweet class. Resistance: fusarium wilt. Similar: Crimson Sweet. Adaptation: wide. 1984.

Crimson Trio (NVH 4291) - Breeder and vendor: Northrup, King and Co. Characteristics: triploid, round seedless watermelon with Crimson Sweet rind pattern. Resistance: fusarium wilt; tolerance to anthracnose race 1. Similar: Tri-X-313. 1989.

Crisby (Nun 1839) - Breeder and vendor: Canners. Characteristics: very early Crimson Sweet type, round-oval shape, fruit weigh 7-9 kg and have red flesh and small brown seeds. 1989.

Cuban Queen - Breeder and vendor: W. Atlee Burpee. 1881.

Dark Icing - Vendor: D.M. Ferry. 1888.

Delta (PS 36594) - Breeder: Jose Gomez. Vendor: Seminis Vegetable Seeds-Petoseed. Parentage: F1 hybrid. Characteristics: Royal Sweet type, crimson Sweet stripes, oblong, 18-25 lb. strong plant, vigorous, wide adaptability. Similar: Royal Sweet. Adaptation: United States. 1998.

Delta Queen (FMX 13) - Breeder and vendor: Ferry-Morse Seed Co. Characteristics: F1 hybrid, large, oblong, dark-green fruit with narrow black-green stripes. Similar: Chilean Black-Seeded. Adaptation: wide. 1985.

Diamond King - Breeder and vendor: Hollar and Co. Characteristics: F1 hybrid. Adaptation: midwestern and southern United States. 1985.

Dixie Belle (Stone Mountain) - Breeder: H.G. Hastings, Atlanta, Georgia. Characteristics: thick, tough, dark green rind, 17 x 14 inches, 35-40 lb., red, sweet flesh. 1924.

Dixie Queen (White-Seeded Cuban Queen) - Breeder: Johnson. Vendor: Stokes Seed Co. Parentage: Cuban Queen x Kolb Gem. Characteristics: round fruit 30-40 lb., pink flesh, white seeds, narrow dark green stripes over light green rind; 90 days to harvest; popular with home gardeners, roadside markets, truckers and shippers; fruit oblong or nearly round; rind thin, but tough; flesh crisp and extremely sweet with very few seeds; seeds white and small. 1890.

Dixie Queen Hybrid - Breeder and vendor: Peto-Hollar Co., Rocky Ford, Colo. Parentage: closed. Characteristics: F1 hybrid. Similar: Dixie Queen. Resistance: fusarium wilt. Adaptation: wide. Peto-Hollar Catalog. 1953.

Dixielee (Florida 75-1) - Breeder: Agric. Research Center, University of Florida, Leesburg. Parentage: Texas W5, Fusarium wilt Resistant Peacock, Fairfax, Summit, and Graybelle. Characteristics: round fruit with Jubilee stripes that weigh 18-22 lb, flesh is firm and a very deep red color, flesh quality is excellent. Resistance: fusarium wilt race 1, anthracnose race 1. 1979.

Dokodoko - Breeder and vendor: P.J. Ito and O.K. Atubra, Dept. of Hort., University of Science and Tech., Kumasi, Ghana. Parentage: selection of F1 hybrid Top Yield. Characteristics: fruit similar to Charleston Gray but is longer and lighter green, flesh is crisp and red with very small brown seeds, relatively thick rind makes for better shipping than Sugar Baby; higher yielding than Sugar Baby and Crimson Sweet, with comparable fruit quality; fruit is medium sized (7 kg) with about 10% soluble solids, and has a thick rind which withstands rough handling. Similar: Charleston Gray. HortScience, 1978, 13: 487. 1978.

Domek (XP 772) - Breeder and vendor: Asgrow Seed Co. Characteristics: open pollinated. Similar: Chilean Black. PVP certificate No. 8000166. 1980.

Dulce Verde (4506) - Breeder: Dr. Warren Barham. Vendor: D. Palmer Seed Co. Parentage: F1 hybrid. Characteristics: solid dark green rind. Similar: Peacock. Adaptation: most watermelon growing areas around the world. 1999.

Dumara (Nun 6485) - Breeder and vendor: Nunhems. Characteristics: oblong fruit shape with rind and color like Crimson Sweet, fruit weigh 14-16 kg, good shipping quality with dark red and crispy flesh and small seeds. Resistance: fusarium wilt race 1. 1991.

Dunbarton - Breeder: USDA and South Carolina Agr. Expt. Sta., Charleston and Clemson. Parentage: (African x Iowa Belle) x Garrison. Characteristics: large, long, late, dark green, hard rind; seed white with dark tip. Resistance: anthracnose. Similar: Tom Watson. Adaptation: southern United States. 1953.

Early Jubilee (PSX 33484) - Breeder and vendor: Petoseed Co. Characteristics: F1 hybrid, early maturing with high yield capability and large, uniform fruit. Resistance: fusarium wilt and anthracnose. 1990.

Early Kansas - Vendor: Robert Buist Co. Characteristics: 80 days to harvest; a fine shipper; fruit nearly round, 40 lb., light green with wavy stripes; flesh bright red sweet and tender; seeds reddish brown.

Early Midget - Breeder and vendor: Petoseed Co., Saticoy, Calif. Characteristics: F1 hybrid, early ice-box type. Adaptation: northeastern and midwestern United States and southern Canada. The Peto Story, Petoseed Co. 1959.

Early Resistant Queen - Breeder: Iowa. Parentage: Early Market Queen x Hawkesbury. 1945.

Excel - Breeder: D.H. Gilbert of Monticello, Florida. Characteristics: poorly fixed hybrid. 1906.

Fairfax - Breeder: Southeastern Vegetable Breeding Laboratory, USDA, Charleston, S.C. Parentage: Garrison x (African x Iowa Belle) x (Leesburg x Hawkesbury). Resistance: anthracnose and fusarium wilt. Similar: Garrison. Adaptation: southeastern United States. 1952.

Falcon (RS 56395) - Breeder: Manual Rosa. Vendor: Seminis Vegetable Seeds-Petoseed. Parentage: F1 hybrid. Characteristics: seeded, Allsweet shaped watermelon, early planting, wide stripes, large fruit, high yields, no hollow heart or bottlenecks. Adaptation: United States and Mexico. 1999.

Family Fun - Breeder and vendor: Petoseed Co. Characteristics: F1 hybrid, early maturing, oblong, light-green skin with dark-green stripes; sweet red flesh, average size 20 pounds. Resistance: fusarium wilt, anthracnose, and mildew. Adaptation: general. Petoseed Catalog 1973.

Fandango (SSC 46072) - Breeder: New Avenue Seeds. Vendor: Shamrock Seed Co. Parentage: F1 hybrid. Similar: Summer Sweet 5244. Adaptation: all watermelon growing regions. 1999.

Far North - Breeder and vendor: Fischer Seed Co. Parentage: Sugar Bush x Peacock. Characteristics: dark green fruit, 6-8 lb., bright red flesh, black seeds; many off-types.

Faribo Hybrid 57 - Breeder and vendor: Farmer Seed and Nursery Co., Fairbault, Minn. Characteristics: F1 hybrid, very early, high yield, excellent flavor; thin rind; weight 7 to 10 pounds. Resistance: fusarium wilt. Similar: Early Russian. Adaptation: northern tier of states. Farmer Seed and Nursery, 8 Sept. 1954.

Fenway (XP 6279) - Breeder and vendor: Seminis Vegetable Seeds. Parentage: F1 triploid hybrid. Characteristics: seedless Sugar Baby type, high yield, round to slightly oblong fruit shape, dark green rind with very dark green faint mottled stripe, rind has shown excellent resistance to sunburn. Similar: Sugar Baby (except seedless). Adaptation: southeastern U.S. 2001.

Fiesta (NVH 4298) - Breeder and vendor: Northrup, King and Co. Characteristics: F1 hybrid, Allsweet or Calsweet type, excellent quality, bright red flesh with high sugars, dark green rind with light green stripes, fruit weigh 22-25 lb, good yields with multiple harvests. Resistance: fusarium wilt race 0; tolerance to race 1, anthracnose. Similar: Sangria and Allsweet. 1991.

Florida Favorite - Vendor: Robert Buist Co. Parentage: Rattlesnake and Pearson. Characteristics: 80 days to harvest; excellent for the home garden or home market trade, not for long distance shipping; fruit large, 25 lb., long with round ends; light green with mottled stripes of dark green; rind fairly tough; flesh dark red, crisp and sweet; seeds white.

Fusarium Wilt Resistant Dixie Queen - Breeder: Duke V. Layton, Hemet, Calif. Vendor: J.C. Robinson Seed Co., Waterloo, Neb. Parentage: Dixie Queen crossed on Hawkesbury at Oskaloosa, Iowa, in 1936. Characteristics: similar to Dixie Queen, except that it has resistance to fusarium wilt; medium large white seed and a thicker, tougher rind. Similar: Dixie Queen. Adaptation: most of the United States except west of the Rocky Mountains. 1943.

Garrisonian (No. 51-23W) - Breeder: USDA, Southeastern Vegetable Breeding Laboratory, Charleston, S.C. Parentage: (((Africa 8 x Iowa Belle) x Garrison) x Garrison) x ((Hawkesbury x Leesburg) x Garrison). Characteristics: large size; hard rind; superior flesh. Resistance: one form of anthracnose sunburn. Similar: Garrison. Adaptation: southern and eastern United States. Seedsmen's Digest. Dec. 1957.

Genesis (SSC 460015) - Breeder and vendor: Shamrock. Characteristics: triploid, highly prolific seedless watermelon with dark green stripes over a medium green rind, flesh is crisp, bright red and very sweet. Similar: Jack of Hearts. 1992.

Georgia (152185) - Breeder: Eldon Heersink. Vendor: Seminis-Petoseed. Parentage: F1 hybrid. Characteristics: small Crimson Sweet type, strong vine, early to medium early maturity; fruit about 10-13 lb. with small broken dark green stripes. Similar: Crimson Sweet. Adaptation: Guatemala, South America. 2000.

Georgia Fusarium Wilt Resistant - Breeder: Georgia Expt. Sta., Experiment, GA. Vendor: H.G. Hastings, Georgia Expt. Sta. Parentage: Cuban Queen x Iowa Belle. Characteristics: short blocky to near round, dark green, 25 to 30 pounds, thin rind, good red flesh, fine grained with few strings. Resistance: fusarium wilt. Southern Seedsman, Jan. 1943.

Georgia Rattlesnake - Characteristics: 90 days to harvest; an excellent shipping melon popular for its size, productiveness and eating qualities; fruit very long, large, 25 to 30 lb., light green, irregularly mottled with dark green stripes; striking appearance; rind very tough; flesh bright scarlet, crisp and sweet; seeds all white with black tips. Adaptation: southern U.S. 1870.

Golden Anniversary - Parentage: Wikara x Kleckley. Characteristics: sweet.

Golden Honey Cream (Honey Cream) - Breeder and vendor: Robson Quality Seeds, Hall, N.Y. Parentage: introduced as Honey Cream in 1937; selected from badly mixed strain from Japan Seed Co. by a program of selfing and selecting; have true, deep yellow stock. Characteristics: early maturing, deep golden yellow flesh with excellent flavor and sweetness. Adaptation: Maine to Florida. Robson Catalog. 1954.

Golden Midget - Breeder and vendor: New Hampshire Agr. Expt. Sta., Durham. Parentage: New Hampshire Midget x Pumpkin Rind. Characteristics: orange-colored rind when ripe, dark-colored seeds, 70 day maturity. Similar: New Hampshire Midget in size and shape. Adaptation: wide. N.H. Agr. Expt. Sta. Bul No. 440. 1959.

Gray Monarch (Long Light Icing) - Vendor: Robert Buist Co. Characteristics: 85 days to harvest; a large melon mostly adapted for home gardens; fruit 25 lb. cylindrical with blunt ends, a beautiful light gray green faintly mottled darker; rind thin and tender; flesh red, sweet and delicious; seeds white.

Graybelle (59-7) - Breeder: Veg. Breeding Laboratory, USDA, Charleston, S.C. Parentage: Sugar Baby x Charleston Gray sister line. Characteristics: early, medium size, round, gray. Resistance: anthracnose race 1 and sunburn. Adaptation: general. USDA, May 1963.

Green Seeded Citron - Vendor: Robert Buist Co. Characteristics: 95 days to harvest; bred exclusively for preserving; fruit round, 10 lb., striped alternately with dark and light green. Flesh clear white and very solid. Seeds glossy olive green.

Greengem (XPH 5359) - Breeder and vendor: Asgrow. Characteristics: F1 hybrid, Sugar Baby type, round, with a dark green rind and red flesh, sweet with small seeds, early maturing. Resistance: fusarium wilt race 1. Similar: Sugar Baby. 1988.

Gypsy (HMX 8914) - Breeder: Bill Copes. Vendor: Harris Moran. Parentage: triploid F1 hybrid. Characteristics: an early seedless type with medium round fruit; fruit have a dark striped exterior and red flesh. Adaptation: U.S. 2002.

Halbert Honey - Vendor: Robert Buist Co. Characteristics: 85 days to harvest; a fine, large prolific melon; sweet flavor; for home use and nearby markets; fruit 30 to 35 lb., cylindrical with blunt ends, dark glossy green with fine veins; rind tender, flesh rich red, extending clear to the rind; seeds white with black tips.

Harris' Earliest (Cole's Early) - Vendor: Robert Buist Co. Characteristics: 80 days to harvest; extra early; a favorite in the North; for home market; fruit small size, 15 lb, short, nearly round, dark green stripes irregular on a light green background: rind tender; flesh light red, sweet and delicious; seeds black.

Hawk (131784) - Breeder: Manuel Rosa. Vendor: Seminis Vegetable Seeds-Petoseed. Parentage: F1 hybrid. Characteristics: Allsweet type, seeded, wide stripes, for early planting. Similar: Sangria. Adaptation: U.S. & Mexico. 1999.

Hawkesbury (synonyms Hawkesbury Wilt Resistant, Dark Seeded Gray Monarch) - Breeder: H.S. Shirlow, N.S.W. Australia. Parentage: selection from a field of Gray Monarch with dark rather than light colored seed. Resistance: fusarium wilt. Similar: Gray Monarch. 1935.

HM 7927 (HMX 7927) - Breeder: Robert Schroeder. Vendor: Harris Moran. Parentage: F1 hybrid. Characteristics: very early maturity; strong plant; very high and concentrated yield; fruit are 5-9 kg; rind pattern is a narrow dark green stripe on a light background; flesh is red with small brown seeds. Adaptation: U.S. 2002.

Honey Cream - see Golden Honey Cream.

Honey Red (NCX 1559) - Breeder and vendor: Moran. Characteristics: Sugar Baby type with both larger vine and fruit, flesh color is a darker red than Sugar Baby, fruit weigh 9-11 lb, have a tough rind. Resistance: fusarium wilt. Similar: Sugar Baby. 1983.

Hope Diamond - Breeder: Univ. of Arkansas, Fayetteville. Parentage: Black Diamond x fusarium wilt- and anthracnose-resistant breeding line. Characteristics: high quality; good shipper. Resistance: fusarium wilt and anthracnose. Similar: Black Diamond. Ark. Farm Res. Vol. 7, no. 1. 1958.

Huck Finn (FMX 11) - Breeder and vendor: Ferry-Morse Seed Co. Parentage: FM inbreds. Characteristics: F1 hybrid, fruit large, blocky, oblong, with markings similar to Crimson Sweet. Similar: Crimson Sweet. Adaptation: wide. 1985.

Hungarian Honey - Parentage: introduced from Hungary. 1885.

Hybrid Sugar Baby - see Sugar Doll.

Imagination - Breeder: T. Williams. Vendor: Syngenta Seeds. Parentage: triploid seedless F1 hybrid. Characteristics: Sugar Baby type; very dark, solid green rind; bright red flesh; fruit wt. 12-14 lb.; mid-early maturity (82 days). Similar: Emerald. 2001.

Improved Stone Mountain No.5 - Breeder: Mr. Younkin, Iowa. Parentage: Iowa Belle x Stone Mountain. Resistance: some fusarium wilt tolerance. Similar: Stone Mountain.

Iowa 112 - Breeder: Mr. Younkin, Iowa. Parentage: Iowa Belle x Jugoslavia 7. 1938.

Iowa Belle - Breeder: Porter, Iowa. Parentage: Conqueror x unknown male parent (probably Kleckley Sweet). 1932.

Iowa Dixie - Breeder: Mr. Wilson, Iowa. Parentage: Iowa Belle x Japan 7. 1934.

Iowa King - Breeder: Porter, Iowa. Parentage: Conqueror x unknown male parent (probably Kleckley Sweet). 1932.

Irish Gray - Vendor: Robert Buist Co. Characteristics: 90 days to harvest; one of the finest watermelons; productive, very sweet and tender; earlier than Tom Watson, but similar in shipping quality; fruit large, 25 to 30 lb. oblong, smooth, a distinct mottled greenish gray: rind tough and hard; flesh bright red, firm and sweet; seeds white.

Ironsides - Breeder: Vegetable Breeding Laboratory, USDA, Charleston, S.C., and Florida Agr. Expt. Sta. Leesburg, Fla. Parentage: (Leesburg x Hawkesbury) x Garrison. Characteristics: long, dark green, longitudinal ribbing, ends slightly tapered, early, excellent internal quality, sets few culls. Resistance: fusarium wilt. Similar: Blacklee. Fla. Agr. Expt. Sta. Circ. S-21, Nov. 1950.

Jade Star (PSX 36385) - Breeder and vendor: Petoseed Co. Characteristics: F1 hybrid, Sugar Baby type, very dark green rind, intense red flesh color, suited for home garden. Resistance: fusarium wilt. 1990.

Jamboree - Breeder: T. Williams. Vendor: Syngenta Seeds. Parentage: diploid seeded F1 hybrid. Characteristics: Allsweet type; large (22-27 lb.) elongated fruit; dark red flesh; mid-season maturity (85 days). Resistance: fusarium wilt races 0, 1; anthracnose race 1. Similar: Sangria, Corporal. 2001.