Justin

I think I'm a bit confused by what you wrote since Citron melons are a form of Watermelon, both being Citrullis lanatus.

I just looked at his book and all he's talking about are the common green or red seeded Citrons which are available in quite a few places.

One place is Sandhill Preservation which carry both red and green seeded forms:

A Confire A Graine Verte ( green seeded)
D'Espagne a Confiture ( red seeded)

And they carry a mixed Citron mix with several other strains as well as the green and red seeded.

Since Will lists in the SSE Yearbook that his red seeded one is from Glenn at SandHill it's quite possible that his green seeded one is as well.

For nomenclature and history and accessions you might want to also consult Melons for the Passionate Grower by Amy Goldman .

So based on what Will writes, it's the typical green seeded Citron that you want and Sand Hill Preservation carries it.

Carolyn

Thanks for the clarification.

If Weaver told you to get it from the USDA , then he should be able to tell you the accessions number if indeed that's where he got his from. But he didn't tell you he got it from the USDA and he didn't give you an accession number.

But there is an alternative scenario.

Weaver got many melon varieties from others via INRA, the French Seed bank, and many of those are offered in the US.

As he says, this melon has many aliases and I happen to think it might well be Ananas d'Amerique a Chair Verte, which is in the 2-4 lb range, is green fleshed, is an early variety, around 75 days, is not noted for being that sweet, by some but not all who list it in the SSE Yearbook, has been dated back to Jefferson growing it as Weaver and others note and is and has been available in the US for a long time.

Go to Baker Creek at rareseeds.com for seeds.

Weaver says Jenny Lind ( developed in the 1840's) was developed from what he called Citron Melon but I can't find anyone else that says so although I haven't researched it per se, and Weaver doesn't say that in his listing for Jenny Lind in the SSE Yearbook. Seeds for Jenny Lind are very available as well.

But I do think the Ananas I described above fits every single trait discussed for what Weaver calls Citron or Green Melon.

I'm so annoyed that I can't find my copy of Amy Goldman's heirloom melon book b/c she is a melon specialist, unlike Weaver, so I decided to look at my Vilmorin and have solved the question to my satisfaction.

The Ananas I mentioned above is listed in Vilmorin with a synonym of Jersey Green Citron Melon, thus also placing it in the PA, NJ region Weaver alludes to in his book. So had he wanted to, he could have given this info in his book re the name the variety is now known as, so that folks could find the seeds more easily. Just my opinion. It's yet another variety that either originated in France and was originally imported here, or the reverse.

And you aren't going to find seeds for it these days as Citron Melon or Green Citron Melon, just with its French name, which he could have, but didn't say, in his book.

I'll also share what one SSE lister for this variety from Spain says; not very sweet, very early, falls off when ripe, does not keep more than one day.

All SSE members who list it got it from Bruno Defay, a well known French seed collector who has listed many wonderful varieties in the SSE Yearbook. Bruno's Source was INRA, mentioned above.

Let me share with you why there can be several names for one variety.

Take the variety Green Climbing which Weaver listed at SSE and others got it from him and Weaver sources his to INRA.

Then look at the listing for Vert Grimpant at SSE and you'll see that the source is France, from INRA and the variety is also known as Green Climbing.

Get my drift?

Vert Grimpant is also at Baker Creek. Jere Gettle who owns Baker Creek is a young melon maven and lists some wonderful varieties. Do take a look.

Carolyn

Will Weaver no longer has the accession number for the USDA gene bank so that is a dead end. He also told me that there was a gentleman who grew it in New Jersey but he has since passed away. So this is where I'm at with my search. I will continue to keep my fingers crossed that someone out there still grows it. Thanks for the help.

Justin

Succulent 1kg (approx 2lb) melons, dripping with sweetness. Can be stored for months. Up to 6 fruit per plant.

I hope this helps somewhat. Good luck in your quest.

According to Dictionary.Net there are three plants known as citron.

First there is a Citron tree, Citrus medica, apparently a lemon-like citrus fruit.

Next, there is the Citron watermelon, which most people here think of when they read the word "citron."

Finally, there is a Citron muskmelon which may be what the original poster, Darkstar3169, was referring to. I did some searches and couldn't find much about it. It may go by a different name. Apparently in Australia it may be the Naples melon that Earthfire mentioned above. On Google I found that melon listed at digger.com.au, but it wasn't there when I went to that site.

The only "Citron" accession that was Cucumis melo was called Extra Early Citron but the seed turned out not to be viable, so this couldn't be Weaver's source.

As Carolyn points out above it could be Ananas d'Amerique a Chair Verte. "And you aren't going to find seeds for it these days as Citron Melon or Green Citron Melon, just with its French name, which he could have, but didn't say, in his book."

Is this what you guys are talking about?

I'm actually trying to find the seeds of this plant, to grow.

Citron Melon Seeds. Citrullus lanatus. Heirloom . Open-pollinated . The original Watermelon. Marmalade recipe included! 15 seeds
Citron_15pkt $2.00

http://www.heritageharvestseed.com/citron.html

Citron

(a.k.a. Red Seeded Citron, Colorado Preserving Melon) The red seeded citron is a very old melon that appeared in manuscripts as far back as the 1580�s. Citron preserves were once very popular. The white flesh was not eaten raw but used to make sweetmeats which were candied melon rind used in fruitcakes and other deserts. The 1937 McFayden Catalogue had this to say about the Red Seeded Citron, "Is not eaten raw but is used to make a very clear, transparent preserve of peculiarly fine flavor. It is one fruit that every practical housewife grows in order to obtain an economical supply of preserves for use during the winter." (80 days)

Click here for a citron preserve recipe.

* Package Qty: 20 seeds
* Price: $3.00

CITRON PRESERVES

Citron melons (about 5 pounds), 5 pounds of sugar, lemons.

Cut the citron in slices, peeling outer skin. Remove all visible seeds. Add sugar pound for pound to the citron. Cover and put in cold place overnight. The next morning bring the mixture to a slow boil. Add sliced lemons according to taste. Cook several hours until it becomes thick, clear and yellow. The longer it is cooked, the thicker and darker it will become. Therefore, if one prefers it thick and dark, rather than liquid and light yellow, it should be cooked for a longer period of time. Place in a stone crock or in sterile jars and stores in a cool place. This recipe keeps very well in storage. We still have several jars in our basement which are several years old. This recipe is excellent when used as a replacement for maple syrup on pancakes, waffles and the like.

CITRON PRESERVES

5 lbs. of citron, 2 pieces of whole ginger, 4 lbs. of sugar, 4 lemons, sliced, 1 small can of crushed pineapple, a few grains of salt. Remove peel and seeds from citron. Cut into cubes and cover with water. Add ginger. Cook until citron can be pierced with a toothpick. Drain well, add sugar and let stand overnight. Add lemon, pineapple and salt. Cook until desired consistency. Fill sterilized jars and seal.

Editor's Note: Citron is a melon-like fruit which cannot be obtained in any market. It must be grown in a home garden. This is sometimes difficult to achieve because obtaining the seeds is very difficult. They will grow only in the blackest soils. They are roughly melon sized and very hard. Slicing is very difficult. They will stand for many weeks before they begin to rot.

http://www.cornucopiaseeds.com.au/products.php?product=Jam-Melon-%252d-Red-Seeded-Citron

Jam Melon - Red Seeded Citron

RRP:
Price:
$3.00 (including tax)

JAM MELON (Citrullus lanatus)

Inedible raw but used for making preserves. Grown in the same
manner as watermelon. Sow after frost or indoors 5 weeks before
transplanting. 80-100 days

RED SEEDED CITRON

This red-seeded variety of citron has been grown for centuries.
Hardy prolific vines that produce smooth round fruit up to 5kg with dark green skin with pale green stripes. Used to make jams and pickles and added to fruitcakes, cookies and puddings. The best fruits can be stored for up to a year.

Seed count: 7-9 seeds per gram
Seeds per packet: 15