'Astrahan' Watermelon

Citrullus lanatus Origin: Mary Wilayat, Turkmenistan Improvement status: Landrace Seeds per packet: ~14 Germination tested 12/2023: 80% Life cycle: Annual Central Asia not only produces the best melons in the world, but it also grows some of the best watermelons too, despite being thousands of miles from their center of diversity in Africa. 'Astrahan,' a landrace from Turkmenistan, is no exception. We got our stock seeds from the USDA's National Plant Germplasm System, which was given this variety in 2008 by "nationally known farmer and melon selectionist Durdy Nepes, in Mary Wilayat, Sarahs District" (as described in the USDA database). Durdy Nepes is the source for many melons and watermelons now in the USDA collection, and after tasting these watermelons, we can understand why this Turkmen farmer has become famous. This is quite simply one of the finest watermelons we've ever tasted, sweet and juicy and everything a person could want in a watermelon. They're even "icebox" sized, and