2023 AAS Edible - Vegetable Winner
Watermelon Rubyfirm F1
This new little cutie watermelon is a small, personal-sized melon that is about the size of a cantaloupe. Boasting very sweet and crisp flesh with minimal seed pips means a tasty summer delight can easily be yours. Each Rubyfirm plant will yield 2-3 fruits on its long vines.
Retailer: Download 8×10″ Benchcard
Plant Description
Genus:
Citrullus
Species:
vulgaris
Common Name:
Watermelon
Plant Habit:
Climbing/vining
Plant Height:
14 inches
Plant Spread:
140 inches
Fruit Color (Harvest):
Jubilee stripe red with red flesh
Fruit Shape:
Round
Fruit Weight:
3.3-5.5 pounds
Fruit Size:
6 inches
Fruit Flavor Description:
Very sweet and firm flesh
Foliage Color:
Green
Disease Resistances or Tolerances:
Anthracnose
Breeder:
Partner Seeds Co., Ltd.
Close Market Comparison:
: Mini Love, Sweetie Pie
Planting & Care
Garden Spacing:
140 inches
Days To Harvest (Sowing Seed):
80
Days To Harvest (Transplant):
65
Duration Type:
Annual
Light Needs:
Full sun
Water Needs:
Normal
Season Type:
Warm season
Staking Required:
No
Container:
Yes
How to Grow:
Recommend using N:P:K = 20-20-20 before flowering, and use a fertilizer with a high K ratio after fruiting.
Judges Observations
- “Loved the taste and the texture”
- “The test variety had good disease resistance and held up through the middle up September against downy and powdery mildew”
- “The flavor is quite good”
- “Rind pattern is unique, attractive flesh color with good texture”
- “Certainly had much less seed than comparisons.”
Reviews
jackie –
This watermelon was amazing. I got10 soccer-ball sized fruits from one plant. Friends were shocked at how crisp and sweet it was. We usually have difficulty growing watermelon in the PNW, however, will now make it a regular.