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Congo Watermelon Seeds

Citrullus lanatus

5.00 (2 reviews)
  • HOW TO GROW
  • FAST FACTS
  • REVIEWS

HOW TO GROW

Sowing: In cool climates, Congo watermelon seeds should be started indoors, but no sooner than a month before transplanting; plant three seeds per peat pot, 1/4" deep. Provide heat to keep the soil at least 80-85 degrees F. Cut off all but the strongest seedling as soon as true leaves appear, and transplant about a week after frost; put two or three plants in each hill with a 6-8' space in all directions. Gardeners in warm climates will be able to direct sow watermelons as soon as the soil temperature reaches at least 75 degrees F, planting six seeds per hill with 6-8' of space in all directions. Thin to the strongest two or three plants as soon as the seedlings appear. Watermelons should be planted in full sun and rich, loose soil. Young seedlings may benefit from black plastic to warm up the soil.

Growing: As soon as the vines begin to develop, apply a thick layer of mulch to control weeds and protect the melons from soil contact. Keep the soil moist until the fruit begins to grow, then water only if the soil dries out completely. Watch out for insect pests, which can be a problem. Congo melons resist anthracnose.

Harvesting: Gardeners use many different methods of testing whether their watermelons are ripe, but knowing the approximate mature size of the melon helps to determine when it is nearing ripeness. One test is to knock on the watermelon with your knuckles, listening for a dull thump rather than a hollow ring. Another method is to check the underside of the melon where it rests on the ground; the skin should be a rich yellow. Also, the curling tendril closest to the stem of the melon often indicates ripeness when it begins to turn brown. Congo watermelons usually keep for several weeks in a cool place.

Seed Saving: Watermelons will cross with other varieties of watermelon, so isolation may be necessary to ensure genetic purity. When the melon is ripe, the seeds will be mature. Cut open the melon and remove the big watermelon seeds; wash them to remove the sticky residue. Spread Congo watermelon seeds out to dry for a week, then store them in a cool place for up to four years.

FAST FACTS

Latin Name: Citrullus lanatus

Type: Open Pollinated, Heirloom, Warm Season

USDA Zones: 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12

Seeds per Ounce: 200

Planting Method: Direct Sow

Sunlight: Full Sun

Height: 12 Inches

Color: Red

Congo Watermelon Seeds 5.0
Review By Perfecto

Seeds

Muy buen precio y servicio rápido

Congo Watermelon Seeds 5.0
Review By Kolton

Review

I'm planting it this spring. It was packaged well.

Size Price Quantity
XL Mylar Packet (~40 Seeds) $3.25 -+
1 Oz Mylar (~200 Seeds) $7.05 -+
1/4 Lb Mylar (113g) $11.85 -+
1 Lb Mylar (454g) $28.80 -+
5 Lb Mylar (2.27kg) $129.60 -+
10 Lb Bulk Bag (4.54kg) $230.40 -+
25 Lb Bulk Bag (11.3kg) $547.20 -+
50 Lb Bulk Bag (22.7kg) $1,036.80 -+
100 Lb Bulk Bag (45.4kg) $2,016.00 -+
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DESCRIPTION

This open-pollinated watermelon variety has one of the highest sugar contents with tests showing 9.5% sugar! Congo watermelon seeds produce big watermelons that are about 27" long x 12" wide and weigh 40 lbs. The rind thick, making this a good shipper, and the flesh is firm, medium-red, and very sweet. It is resistant to AN1, AN2, and AN3, and grows in 95 days.
As the name of this melon suggests, watermelons originated in Africa, specifically Egypt. In these desert regions, wild watermelons provided a source of water if no other water was available. Archaeologists have found watermelon seeds everywhere from King Tut's tomb to the holds of slave ships to the ruins of ancient China, proving this melon's enduring popularity. Congo watermelons have a very high sugar content and unsurpassed taste, winning the prestigious AAS Award in 1950.

HOW TO GROW

Sowing: In cool climates, Congo watermelon seeds should be started indoors, but no sooner than a month before transplanting; plant three seeds per peat pot, 1/4" deep. Provide heat to keep the soil at least 80-85 degrees F. Cut off all but the strongest seedling as soon as true leaves appear, and transplant about a week after frost; put two or three plants in each hill with a 6-8' space in all directions. Gardeners in warm climates will be able to direct sow watermelons as soon as the soil temperature reaches at least 75 degrees F, planting six seeds per hill with 6-8' of space in all directions. Thin to the strongest two or three plants as soon as the seedlings appear. Watermelons should be planted in full sun and rich, loose soil. Young seedlings may benefit from black plastic to warm up the soil.

Growing: As soon as the vines begin to develop, apply a thick layer of mulch to control weeds and protect the melons from soil contact. Keep the soil moist until the fruit begins to grow, then water only if the soil dries out completely. Watch out for insect pests, which can be a problem. Congo melons resist anthracnose.

Harvesting: Gardeners use many different methods of testing whether their watermelons are ripe, but knowing the approximate mature size of the melon helps to determine when it is nearing ripeness. One test is to knock on the watermelon with your knuckles, listening for a dull thump rather than a hollow ring. Another method is to check the underside of the melon where it rests on the ground; the skin should be a rich yellow. Also, the curling tendril closest to the stem of the melon often indicates ripeness when it begins to turn brown. Congo watermelons usually keep for several weeks in a cool place.

Seed Saving: Watermelons will cross with other varieties of watermelon, so isolation may be necessary to ensure genetic purity. When the melon is ripe, the seeds will be mature. Cut open the melon and remove the big watermelon seeds; wash them to remove the sticky residue. Spread Congo watermelon seeds out to dry for a week, then store them in a cool place for up to four years.

FAST FACTS

Latin Name: Citrullus lanatus

Type: Open Pollinated, Heirloom, Warm Season

USDA Zones: 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12

Seeds per Ounce: 200

Planting Method: Direct Sow

Sunlight: Full Sun

Height: 12 Inches

Color: Red

Reviews

5.00
Global Rating: 5.00 from 2 reviews
5.0

Review By Perfecto

Seeds

Muy buen precio y servicio rápido

5.0

Review By Kolton

Review

I'm planting it this spring. It was packaged well.