The Hami melons are very popular in China with several varieties grown and sold in markets. They are almost unknown here in the U.S. I received seed of Hami Jiageda which is a storage melon in a trade earlier this year. Please note that storage melons must be stored in a dry place where they will not freeze for at least 2 months to reach maximum sweetness.

Hami Jiageda is a large football shaped melon with green and white skin, white flesh shading to green near the rind, sweet flavor, and nice aroma. You can find some information on the internet. Here is a slightly re-written version I found about this melon.

"Jiageda is a hard spotted (plaid) melon that was sent by the King of Hami to the Qing Court where it was considered satisfactory for its sweetness and aroma. It is now the most famous and popular of the thirty melon varieties commonly grown with a sugar content between 10 and 18 percent. Like the grapes of Turpan, Hami melons are best sampled fresh from the farm."

I will try to have enough seed to send them to Sandhill Preservation for next spring.

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DarJones