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 response Carolyn. But I always have a difficult time explaining this one. I am not looking for the Citron Watermelon (Citrullus lanatus). I am looking for the Green Citron Melon (Cucumis melo var. reticulatus). Will Weaver does discuss this melon on pgs. 197-198 in his book. He told me the seed is available from the USDA gene bank but it's listed under an accession number and not by name. I'm not sure how to go about finding it this way short of requesting all of the numbered accessions and growing them out. But someone out there must be growing it because not too long ago it was in the commercial seed trade. In the mean time, I will continue to search for it.
Justin

Justin,

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

Well, I've gone back and looked through all the books and early seed lists I have, and there was definitely a Citron Melon that was not the same as the Jersey Citron Melon. I have a seed list dating from 1837 that lists both Citron Melon and Murray's Pineapple (which according to Weaver is the same as Jersey Citron Melon). In fact, almost all the seed lists I have show Citron Melon and Pineapple Melon (which I assume is Murray's Pineapple), as well as Nutmeg Melon. So, in light of this, I will continue to believe there is a distinct and different variety called Citron Melon. I have commercial sources for this melon listed in some paperwork I have, but it is an old listing and none of them now carry it.

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

Did you get my email? I have some citron melon seed but it may not be the variety you are searching for.

The only citron melon I know is the preserving one. Perhaps you are looking for the Naples Melon ... this is around the same size as the more common canteloupe but has a dark green skin, which, although it has shallow ridges, is quite smooth. There is also a greyish green marking on this fruit but is hardly noticeable. The flesh is pale green, sweet and juicy. Description in my seed catalogue thus:

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.

Forgot to mention in my last follow-up that this same melon has been successfully grown in Minnesota. If this is the melon you are seeking, I have seeds if you would like some.

Justin
I grow a citron melon up here in Canada. I have both the gren seeded melon as well as the red seeded variety. Now I am not up on all the latin terminolgy for citron. The variety I grow has been handed down for quite a few years now but I do have a hard time getting seed through a seed catalogue. If you want to try some of my seeds, please get back to me.
Ed

Ihave seeds for a citron melon. Not sure what species it is but, the seeds are red. If you want to make a trade let me know

I wrote a longer version of this, but my cat turned off the computer. Quick, while he's sleeping!

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."

Hello,
I am also interested in the citron melon. I'd like to find someone who saves these seeds. Here in Arizona I have a hard time getting watermelons to pollinate completely. I end up with what a couple of old timers at the barber shop called "sheep noses",( Extension Agent says it's insuficient pollination due to our dry air. He says as bees work the flowers most of the pollen dries out while on the bees face and legs, etc. The old timers swear there was a woman who could out-raise any farmer around and she did it by having some citron melons in the patch inter-planted with the others. This particular citron had jillions of flowers and very small fruit. She put two sons through dentistry school in Tucson. (it was common knowledge she could shoot a tin can off the fence with her six shooter and had very few melons stolen!) Please let me know if you can help me find some citron seed like that, better yet if you find a woman like that.... wait, wait, I'm a married man, just the seed, just the seed. MW

Red-seeded citron melon seed can be bought from West Coast Seeds in British Columbia. The fruit looks like a small regular watermelon and has dark green & light stripes. You cook the inner rind in a syrup till it is translucent. Adding fresh ginger root and lemon rind + lemon juice makes it nicer yet.

The ancestor of the modern watermelon is an African melon, still grown there for food, called the Tsamma melon. It's also called "citron melon".

Is this what you guys are talking about?

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

Abundant Life Seeds sells the preserving melon (citron melon), which I believe is Citrullus lanatus v. citroides. I ordered some from them just a few days ago. They have a photo of it, so that should help some people rule this in or out as what they want.

Here is a link that might be useful: Abundant Life Seeds

Trade Winds Fruit has a number of cucumis melo varieties on their website; not sure if it is the reticulatus that you are looking for.

http://www.localharvest.org/citron-melon-red-seeded-citrullus-lanatus-C19779

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

Darkstar,
Were you able to find the citrus melon you were wanting? I've been hunting for years to find the one that my G-mom brought over from Russia in 1889. My mom grew it many a years then they sold the farm and I spent the next 30 years traveling. I've now a farm of my own and can't find it anywhere. It definitely is not the red seeded watermelon looking variety. My mom used to cook it up with raisons as a citrus sause.

Thanks for any help.