'Obi-Novot' Melon

Cucumis melo subsp. melo Origin: Samarqand, Uzbekistan Improvement status: Landrace Seeds per packet: ~12 Germination tested 12/2023: 96% Life cycle: Annual The best melons in the world come from Central Asia, and this Uzbek landrace is a prime example of their excellence. The name means "father of sugar," and the sweet melting flesh and honeyed aroma make clear why it was given this name. Obi-Novot makes us believe the insipid honeydews and cantaloupes found in American markets don't even deserve to be called melons! Obi-Novot is believed to have originated in the Samarqand area, one of the most important urban centers along the old Silk Road, but it is now grown in Bukhara, Surkhandarya, and the Fargana Valley. It is also grown in small numbers in Russia and California, but it has resisted most attempts at large scale cultivation because its soft flesh makes it highly perishable. This aspect of its character presents no problem for the home gardener though, since it can be enjoyed ri