D'ESPAGNE A CONFITURE

Citrullus amarus

An old French heirloom still grown for market. High pectin fruits are used primarily for jam but can also be cubed and candied. This variety produces large round fruits that will keep for several months. Plants are unbelievably productive. Where they are happy, plants may produce more than a dozen fruits each. Prefers to grow in poor soil and thrives on neglect. Do not coddle or overwater. Remarkable and rarely available.

This species is sometimes misrepresented as a subspecies of Citrullus lanatus, but it is indeed genetically distinct. Native to southern Africa, it was cultivated there for many millennia before its introduction to Mediterranean markets in the very distant past.

Fruits require around 100 days to mature, so start indoors in deep pots 4-6 weeks before the last frost. Transplant carefully into unamended soil in full or part sun. Mulch and water just until established. Neglect until the first frost threatens in autumn, at which time you should transfer fruits to your basement and then continue to neglect them before dusting them off sometime after Christmas.

Packet contains at least 10 seeds.