Rare Exotic bidwell casaba Melon Seeds, Tropical Fruit Seeds, Non-GMO, Organic, Heirloom B10

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  • Regular price $4.49


ust as Chico boasts a Bidwell Park, Bidwell Mansion and Bidwell Perk, the city can also claim the Bidwell Casaba. Using USDA seed stock from 1869, US Senator, John Bidwell, saved and improved this heavenly melon for years in Chico, CA. The fruits are huge at 9 x 14 inch and weighing 15 lbs. This is the sweetest melon we have ever tasted!

Count 10
85-90 Days Full Sun Seed Depth: 1/2" Sprouts in 7-14 Days Ideal Temperature: 75-90 Degrees F Plant Spacing: 18" Frost Hardy: No Cucumis melo

French heirloom variety Sweet, richly flavored flesh with powerful fragrance Heirloom, Open-pollinated A flavor unlike modern melons

C. indorus (95 days) This melon originated just a few minutes away from us here in Chico, CA. Bidwell is named after John Bidwell, who was a general in the Civil War and struck it rich in the California Gold Rush. Bidwell later founded the town of Chico, where he planted the original seed stock from the Department of Agriculture on his estate. After many years of selection, the Bidwell Casaba was born.

Planting: For direct seeding, sow 1-2 weeks after last frost when soil is warm, above 70°F, 3 seeds every 18″, 1/2″ deep, thinning to 1 plant/spot. Space rows 6′ apart. For transplanting, sow indoors in 3 weeks before last frost and transplanting outside. Plant 2-3 seeds per or pot, about 1/4″ deep. Keep temperature 80-90°F until germination. Handle young plants carefully and never let the soil dry out. Grow seedlings at 75°F. Reduce water and temperature for a week to harden seedlings. When the weather is frost-free, warm, and settled, transplant 2-3′ apart in rows 6′ apart or thin to 1 plant/pot or cell with scissors and transplant 18″ apart. Even hardened melon seedlings are tender. Do not disturb roots when transplanting, and water thoroughly.

Watering: Melons need a steady supply of water, and soil needs to be damped but not flooded, approximately 1 inch a week.

Fertilizer: Prior to planting, mix aged manure and compost into the soil. Melons are heavy feeders, so fertilize at planting and throughout the growing season with a 5-5-5 or 10-10-10 granular fertilizer. Do not let the granules come in contact with the plant.

Days to Maturity: A ripe melon should be very easy to remove from the vine. For a cantaloupe, the netting pattern on the melon becomes more visible and a crack appears at the base of the stem when it was ripe. For a honeydew, the color becomes creamy. Most melon varieties are ready for harvest when the gray-green color begins to change to pale yellow and when a light tug separates the fruit from the vine. Some melon types, like honeydew, Charentais, canary, Spanish, and Crenshaw are overripe by the time the stem can be tugged from the fruit. (See each variety for days to maturity)

Harvesting: Melons must be cut from the vine. All melons should be stored at 90% relative humidity. Store ripe melons at 40-45°F for 7-14 days.

Tips: Cut off watering 1 week before harvest. This will give a more flavorful, concentrated melon. Overwatering before harvest can cause bland taste.

Prepare the soil for the melon planting about 2 weeks before the average last spring frost date in your area. 1. Use compost and fertilizer. 2. Form six to eight-inch high raised beds to speed soil warming and have good drainage. 3. Plant the seeds ½ to one inch deep. 4. Sow 2 or 3 seeds in groups 18 to 24 inches apart.

How do you take care of a melon plant? Keep the plants well-watered at all times, especially when flowering and fruiting, and feed weekly with a high potash liquid plant food once the first fruit has set. Pinch out the growing tips at the fifth leaf to encourage side shoots, which will bear the flowers.

The key to growing a successful crop of melons is heat. Don’t even start planting your melons until soil temperatures are above 70 degrees. They also like well-amended and very nutrient-rich soil. Working a generous amount of compost and composted manure into the soil before planting will set your melons up for success.

Melons are ready to harvest once the melon "slips" from the vine when gently tugged. Don't leave them too long, however, as ripe melons have a sweet aroma that attracts insects.

FREE GIFT when you order 5 items or more. Free gift is full of surprise seeds which may include single or mixed varieties.

Note: No tracking # will be provided to make the shipping cost-effective for us and free for you. Returns & exchanges Not accepted. But please contact me if you have problems with your order