Blacktail Mountain Watermelon

Citrullus lanatus

Sit-RULL-us lan-AH-tus

Edibles: Fruiting Vegetable

Min. Temp
Very Tender: 38°

This is one of the earliest watermelons; superb for the North, but it also grows well in heat and drought. Fruit has a dark rind and weighs 8-12 lbs each. Fruits are dark green, almost black, with faint stripes, flesh orange-red like a Sugar Baby only with a cleaner more pleasing deliciously sweet, juicy and crunchy texture.

Appearance

Summer Foliage
Green
Fall Foliage
Green
Flower Color
Yellow
Blooming Time
Mid Summer - Late Summer
Habit
Vining
Height
12–24 in
Spread
36–48 in
Form
Slicer

Characteristics

Type
Hybrid
Safety
Edible Parts
Growth Rate
Fast
Tolerance/Resistance
Heat Tolerant, Drought Tolerant
Attracts
Attracts Honeybees & Pollinators
Uses/Placement
Culinary

Optimal Growing Conditions

Sun Exposure
Full Sun: 8-12 hrs
Soil Texture
Sandy
Soil Drainage
Well-drained
Soil Moisture
Moist
Soil PH
Slightly Acidic: 6.0-6.5
PH Tolerance
Prefers slightly acidic soil
PH Correction
High pH can reduce nutrient uptake
Soil Amendment(s)
Compost
Fertilizer
Heavy Feeder
Fertilizer Formula
Rooting & Blooming
Fertilizer Timing
Pre-Fruiting
Micronutrients
Magnesium (Mg)

Care

Care Level
Moderate

Behavior and Propagation

Spreading
Moderate Spreader
Propagation Method
Monoecious--pollination required
Propagation Licensing
Open propagation permitted
Division Timing
Do Not Divide

Fruit and Pollination

Days to Harvest
80 Days
Fruit Size
Small
Fruit Characteristics
Sweet
Ploidy
Diploid
Brix Rating
11 Very Sweet