I saw your post in the vegetable folder where someone suggested to you that what you had was Haogen.

If you're sure about that that's fine.

What kind of information are you looking for about this melon?

Below I've linked to a Google search on Haogen and there are about 73 hits/links.

And your thread in the veggie folder asking for identification is one of them. (smile)

If you can't find the info you want or need with those links, please come back and ask.

Carolyn

I just received,as a Freebee from Baker Seeds,a package of seeds for the Israel Ogen Melon. Could this be the same and if so what can you tell me about them. I live in the Pacific Northwest and if these melons would not grow here I'd like to give them to someone who would want to plant them.

I have grown both the Ogen or sometimes Ha' Ogen (Hebrew for "the anchor") and the Old Israeli. Both are wonderful melons. The Ogen (which I first encountered as a Botanical Interests Seed) is a mainstay of my melon patch and I grow them every year. They are luscious and early for their size (about 2.75 to 3.5 pounds on average). They are a reliable choice here, but they need to be started early. I generally put them out in late April or Early May and they ripen Mid-August. While they may not be as sweet as the Galia types, that is debatable because well fertilized they taste as sweet to me, the flavor is superior. There is more to a good melon than just "sweet". Honeydews are very sweet but I would not waste my garden space growing them as there are varieties that are as sweet and much better tasting. In my experience the Ogen grown with good organic fertilization is just as sweet as a honeydew and flavor is much superior.

The Old Israeli is more of a problem growing as they are almost too long for my season but if started under cover in early April they should ripen the end of August to early September. They are worth trying as they are unique - having a "tropical" flavor that won praise from everyone I've shared them with. They are good sized too and can reach 9 pounds.

Others that are reliable in the Pacific Northwest:

Emerald Gem - a reliable small smooth skinned heirloom. Again good fertilization improves the flavor. Started indoors 4 weeks before last frost and set out around Mother's day they ripen mid-August and are a lovely and luscious orange fleshed melon. Very productive too. Almost as early as Minnesota Midget and much better tasting.

The only perfect "10" I have grown is reserved for the French Charentais (Lake Valley Seeds). Must be tasted to be understood. Unfortunately almost too susceptable to Powdery Mildew for the Pacific NW.

Growing Note: I use IRT 76 Plastic Mulch and Raised beds (The Gardener's Supply Grow Beds and large black tree tubs) to provide the extra warmth the melons need here. Also I use the soda bottle Spikes for watering. Although Drip Irrigation would be better, but I've been successful without it.

For Watermelon: Early Yellow Moonbeam from Seeds of Change is the best I've grown for my climate (Portland Oregon area).

Being from central Europe in origin as others have noted in Hungary it is very well suited to almost the entire United States as Hungary is like the Northern Great Plains of America. It certainly likes the Midwest conditions, but like all melons needs water but I have never had any splitting problems with them or a problem in being waterlogged in flavor as some melons can be if not done perfectly.

If I may, people who like certain flavors of melons should pay attention to them as that is why so many people don't like "melons". Some are musky aka Muskmelons and some like honeydews when ripened perfectly in the garden are literally too sweet.
If one likes the HaOgen type, then it is a wonderful melon. There are allot of wonderful melon types though so enjoy.

God bless