When I lived in Calif. I grew a crane mellon, Its bigger than a canolope, and sweeter, they don"t ship well , I used to keep seed from them for the next year, but lost seed in moveing, I now live in texas and would love to grow some again, thanks everbody Irene

-- Irene Orsborn (tkorsborn@cs.com), May 26, 2001

Answers

After gardening all my life I have never heard the term crane melon, it must be a regional name; can you describe it with full details?

-- mitch hearn (moopups1@aol.com), May 26, 2001.

I too am a lifetime gardener and melon grower.Never heard of it but would like to learn more.If you find a seed source please post it to the forum.

-- JT (gone2seed@hotmail.com), May 26, 2001.

I never heard of a crane either, but you sure made my mouth water for a crenshaw melon that I first had visiting in Ca. They are bigger then cantalopes and shaped more like a watermelon, meaning oblong. I've orderedthem from Gurney's and they do good here.

-- Darrell Schlueter (schlut@adams.net in WC illinois), May 26, 2001.

I lived in Petaluma, and a farmer somehow got these crane mellons started, and I think he got a patent on them, He sold them in the local stores,I bought them and saved the seeds and they did well. Any one out there from petaluma ca. you probably have ate them, they are so soft that they will not ship, but they are sweet and juicy, and large with a deep orange flesh . I'm going to look up the crenshaw mellon , It sounds good too. thanks everone Irene

-- Irene Orsborn (tkorsborn@cs.com), May 28, 2001.

I bought my Crane Melon in a 5" pot from: Roger Reynolds Nursery in Menlo Park, Calif. You can order one from them come Spring. My Cranes are just ripenning, and if you send me you adress, I'll send you some seeds. Does anyone know how to tell when they're prime for picking?

-- Sally B (buynoski@batnet.com), September 18, 2001.