Watermelon - Cream of Saskatchewan

SKU:
CA$3.50
3.5 9 CA$3.50 - CA$9.00
Unavailable
Approximately 24 seeds per gram.
Lot# ME29005
Citrullus lanatus
Ideal for short season locations, this rare heirloom is thought to have been brought to Canada at the turn of the century by Russian immigrants. Round fruits average 3-5.4 kg (6-12 lbs) each, but can get as large as 9 kg (20 lbs). The skin is pale green with dark green stripes and the flesh is yellow and super sweet.  Does not have a long storage capacity due to the very thin rind. Cream of Saskatchewan grows between 15-30 cm (6-12"), high and has trailing vines that can reach 2.4-3 m (8-10’) in any one direction.  Each vine will produce 2-3 melons depending on growing conditions.  Great selection for home and market gardens.
Planting Instructions:
  • Sow 2-3 seeds 1cm (½") deep in 7-10cm (3-4”) pots.  Thin to the strongest plant. Start seeds indoors or in a greenhouse mid to late April. Transplant at the end of May or the first week of June into the garden, when the plants are 5 weeks old and soil temperatures have warmed to 21-23̊ C (70-75 ̊ F). Set transplants 76-154cm (30-60") apart in rows 1.5-3.0 m (5-10') apart.  If direct seeding, sow after all danger of frost is past and sow 5 or 6 seeds in groups 6-8' apart.
  • Soil Conditions:  Well worked rich, loose well-drained soil. Soil PH: 5.5-7.0, Ideal 6.3-6.5
  • Planting Depth:   Sow seeds 1cm (½") deep.
  • Height at Maturity: 15-30 cm, (6-12"). Spread:  2.4-3 m (8-10’)
  • Days to Maturity:  (75-85 days)  
  • Watering:   Watermelon has moderate water requirements to support leaf production.  Try to use soaker hoses or drip lines to water with. (Helps prevents fungal diseases) and keeps water off the leaves.
  • Sun/Shade: Full Sun    
  • Spacing after Thinning:  76-154 cm (30-60") apart in rows 1.5-3m, (5-10') apart
Additional Information:
Make lots of room for the Cream of Saskatchewan Watermelon as it spreads between 2.4-3 m (8-10’) in any direction.  There are 5 ideas of thought regarding the proper harvesting time of watermelons. (1)  Some people thump them and listen for a dull sound, (2) Some people scratch the skin and believe that if the rind scratches easily the melon is ripe. (3) Some people look at the underside, where the melon has lain on the ground, to see if the color has changed from white to cream-colored.  (4) Some people look to see that the tendril closest to the stem is turning brown and drying out. (5) Some people (like me) thump, scratch, look at the underside of the melon and then take a look at the tendril closest to the stem and just grab the largest melon and hope for the best.