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Tendersweet Orange Watermelon Seeds | Heirloom Orange Flesh Melon | 35 lb Sweet Summer Fruit
Citrullus lanatus
Listing is for 1 packet of minimum 15 seeds
Tendersweet Orange Watermelon is a stunning heirloom variety that produces large, oblong melons with beautiful wavy green-striped rinds and vibrant, bright orange flesh that is incredibly sweet, crisp, and juicy. Growing up to 30–35 pounds, this show-stopping watermelon is a true standout at summer gatherings, offering a refreshing twist on traditional red varieties. The rich orange flesh has a higher sugar content, delivering a naturally sweeter, more complex flavor with subtle honey and floral notes, and it’s also higher in beta-carotene, which the body converts to vitamin A. Maturing in about 90 days, Tendersweet Orange thrives in full sun with plenty of space to vine and produces impressive harvests that look just as beautiful sliced on a picnic table as they do in fruit salads. If you’re looking for a unique, heirloom watermelon that tastes just as incredible as it looks, this orange-fleshed classic is a must-grow for summer gardens.
Ideal Growing Conditions
Sun: Full sun
Water: Let the soil dry out a little bit in-between watering
Fertilizer: Consistent applications of fertilizer is important to promote lots of new, healthy, green growth to outpace the diseases and pests. Amend the soil with some organic granular fertilizer like Espoma Garden-Tone before direct sowing the seeds. Or sprinkle some into the planting hole if using transplants. Apply 1/4 cup of this fertilizer every 10-14 days to keep the nutrient supply consistent. I don't recommend using a synthetic fertilizer when fertilizing this frequently.
When & How To Sow Seeds: Direct sowing is preferred after your last spring frost date. In warmer climates can also direct sow at end of summer for a fall harvest. Sow 2-3 seeds in a mound, 1/2 inch deep, spaced 2FT apart, in rows spaced 3FT apart. Can also sow seeds indoors in 4 inch pots, filled with seed starting mix, 6-8 weeks before your last spring frost date to get an early start.
Germination: 7-14 days
Days To Maturity: 90 days after direct sowing the seed
How & When To Harvest: Watermelon is ready to harvest when the underside resting on the ground turns from white to a creamy yellow, the rind looks dull rather than shiny, and the curly tendril closest to the fruit has dried up and turned brown. The melon should feel heavy for its size and sound hollow when tapped. To harvest, use clean garden shears or a sharp knife to cut the stem, leaving about 1–2 inches attached to the fruit. Avoid twisting or pulling the melon off the vine, as this can damage both the fruit and the plant.
Common Diseases: Watermelons get a lot of leaf diseases caused by pathogens like molds, fungus spores, bacteria etc... Spray with 1 cup of 3% hydrogen peroxide per gallon of water to clean and disinfect. Repeat every 5 days or so as a preventative, or until you notice the spread of the disease has stopped.
Common Pests: Critters like rabbits love to munch on newly germinated seedlings, so protection from small animals might be required. If you notice the leaves are chewed up and there are small black, green, or orange balls, worms/caterpillars are chewing up the plants. Spray with BT or spinosad to treat for the worms.
Do I have a YouTube video tutorial on how to grow this? Not yet
Additional Tips/Information: N/A