Description: TOP MARK MELON SEEDS - HEIRLOOM, NON-GMO, 25 Canalope seeds USPS first Class mail Top Marks are among the most prized of cantaloupe varieties, with the small (3 pound), salmon-colored fruits rapidly becoming a favorite of both home growers and larger commercial growers. Expect around 90 days to harvest. Growing Guide GROWING NOTES Indoor Starting As they require a long growing season, melons are best started indoors approximately 3 weeks prior to the last frost of the season. Sow seeds " deep in flats or small pots, sowing 3 seeds per pot. Keep medium moist while awaiting germination. Additionally, melon seeds will show better germination rates with heat. Keep the soil between 80-90 degrees, using a heat mat if necessary. Once seeds start to germinate, lower soil temp slightly to the mid 70s, for 1-2 weeks, also decreasing water. Thin to one plant per cell or pot. Once the first set of true leaves has developed, reduce waterings once more, but do not allow plant to become desiccated. Harden plant by gradually exposing to outdoor conditions. Transplant to permanent site in late spring after the last frost has passed. If possible, transplant on an overcast day to minimize wilting and create a more amenable environment for your young plant. Outdoor Starting If you have long, hot growing seasons, melons can direct-seed into garden. To ensure ripening in areas with shorter growing seasons and cooler weather, choose fast-maturing varieties, start plants inside, use black or IRT plastic mulch to warm soil and use fabric row covers to protect plants. Direct-seed 1 to 2 weeks after average last frost when soil is 70 F or warmer. Plant inch deep, 6 seeds per hill, hills 4 to 6 feet apart; or 1 foot apart in rows 5 feet apart. Can plant at closer spacings if trellised. Thin to 2 to 3 plants per hill. Choosing a Site Prefers warm, well-drained, soil, high in organic matter with pH 6.5 to 7.5. Consistent, plentiful moisture needed until fruit is about the size of a tennis ball. Soil temperatures below 50 F slow growth. Consider using black plastic and fabric row covers to speed soil warming. Sandy or light-textured soils that warm quickly in spring are best. Tender annual In many areas, successful crops require starting plants indoors, using plastic mulch to warm soil, and fabric row covers to protect young transplants. MAINTAINING For transplanting, sow seeds indoors inch deep in peat pots (2-inch square or bigger), 2 to 4 weeks before setting out. Plants should have one or two true leaves when transplanted. Transplant at same spacings as direct-seeded crops - 2 to 3 plants per hill in hills spaced 4 to 6 feet apart, or 1 to 2 feet apart in rows 5 feet apart. Transplants are delicate and roots are sensitive to disturbance. If you need to thin, use scissors. Keep soil intact around plant when transplanting. Mulch plants after soil has warmed to help maintain consistent moisture and suppress weeds. If using fabric row covers, remove at flowering to allow pollination by bees. Good pollination is critical to fruit set. Plants require consistent moisture until pollination. Once fruits are about the size of a tennis ball, only water if soil is dry and leaves show signs of wilting. KTo prevent insect damage to developing fruits, place melons on pots or pieces of wood. If growing melons on a trellis, support fruit with slings made from netting, fabric, or pantyhose. Trellising improves air circulation around plants and can help reduce foliar disease problems. Choose small-fruited varieties and reduce plant spacing. HARVESTING Generally, most of the fruits on an individual plant will ripen somewhat concurrently within a short amount of time. Once the first melon is ready to harvest, the others on that plant are likely soon to follow. An obvious sign of maturity in most melon varieties will occur when the rind changes color from green or grey to yellow. Additionally, once ripe the stem is easily separated from the vine by hand. Specific melon varieties can have show slightly different cues once they are ready for harvest. Harvest muskmelon or cantaloupe when the stem pulls easily and cleanly from the fruit. If the stem has to be removed forcibly from the melon, it is not fully mature. In addition, mature muskmelons have a distinct, musky aroma and the end opposite the stem should be slightly soft. Tracking available for all orders $10 and above. Orders under $10 will be shipped USPS First Class without tracking as this service begins at $3 with the Postal Service. If your order does not qualify for tracking and does not arrive in the allotted time given by Ebay, please reach out to me before opening a case within the resolution center FYI All seeds shipped from Texas so if you live in the upper part of the US it will take longer to get your seeds all order are shipped USPS 1st class mail . If your seeds do not show up on time Email me 1st and I will work with you to resolve the issue If you start a Ebay case i will only refund your money I have been burned by trying to make it right and resend the seeds and then Ebay refunds the money So this why i refund only on an Ebay case.
Price: 1.99 USD
Location: Snyder, Texas
End Time: 2024-08-16T02:33:41.000Z
Shipping Cost: 0 USD
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Item Specifics
All returns accepted: ReturnsNotAccepted
Brand: freedom farms
Season of Interest: Spring, Summer
Type: Fruit Seeds
Life Cycle: Annual
Watering: Medium
Climate: Arid, Highland, Humid Continental, Humid Subtropical, Marine West Coast, Mediterranean, Semiarid, Tropical Wet, Tropical Wet & Dry
Common Name: top mark melon
Genus: cucumis melo
Indoor/Outdoor: Outdoor
Sunlight: Full Sun
Features: Edible, Fast Growing
Cultivating Difficulty: Easy