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Bethlehem CT

What were the original varieties that were crossed? When was it done and by whom?

3/16/2010 9:10:51 AM

It is the result of the cross of a Cobb Gem and a watermelon from North Carolina. The North Carolina watermelon type reportedly was grown for a long time by a grower by the name of Vinerette or maybe Viverette. Ed Weeks began marketing the seeds in the early 1970's. The current name on Week's watermelon seeds is North Carolina Giant. We grew Cobb Gems which are round and wide in the field with the long North Carolina Giants in 1974. We got offspring with characteristics of both varieties and saved seeds from the ones that were both wide and long. A few of the offspring of the 1979 record melon still showed the rind coloring of a Cobb Gem but none of the later offspring have showed that rind trait. We marketed the seeds as Carolina Cross. In 1987 Ray Waterman packaged our seeds and continued to use the Carolina Cross name. Bill Carson grew a record Carolina Cross and referred to it as a Carolina Cross #183. A seed company worked out an agreement with him to market his type of seeds. They produced a large number of bulk seeds and sold them to seed catalog companies that sold them as Carolina Cross #183. Usually growers give the watermelon a new name when they have an especially large one so you can credit Bill Carson for giving the Carolina Cross variety name lasting power.

3/16/2010 5:15:27 PM

formerly RGG

Mr.Lloyd B., it is an honor to see your appearance on humble forum. I hope we can look forward to receiving more of your extensive knowledge on the Carolina Cross melon and how to best go about growing prize winners.Or have I assumed too much in thinking that the B is for Bright.

3/16/2010 6:32:07 PM

Thanks. I enjoy following the posts on this site. It is the one I recommend to growers who are looking for a place to network with other growers.

3/16/2010 8:05:23 PM

Garner, NC

Wow , This is pretty cool, this forumn just keeps getting better all the time.

3/17/2010 10:02:10 AM

Rochester, Minnesota

You honor us greatly Mr. Bright. Thank you for sharing your insight and for what you have done for the sport of growing giant melons.

3/17/2010 11:00:54 AM

Lexington,IN

OK, everyone quit kissing Lloyds a$$! Just kidding, glad to see you around Lloyd, we spoke about Ronald B. via email awhile back. Hey, I'd kiss up to you for a 157 seed or two...LOL

3/17/2010 12:15:30 PM

Rochester, Minnesota

We would get over it pretty quick Dewight, it's just this is the first I have seen him join in, and I am hoping that with a little &** kissing, he might stick around more.

3/17/2010 6:06:16 PM

Lexington,IN

Hey I'm all for that MMM. I would like to hear some of the knowledge he has gained also. Maybe if we ask he will come...So how about it Lloyd? I'll start off with a question for you: Could you tell us about how much land you contribute to melons and about how many plants you put out? Also a little details as to how you go about selecting what seeds to plant? And finally, what do you think are the top seeds one could choose to grow this year? OK now Lloyd, you gotta answer this, or else I may look like a fool here...LOL

3/17/2010 8:22:00 PM

Bethlehem CT

Wow, Thanks for the history Lloyd. I agree it is an honor to have your response. here.

3/18/2010 7:51:54 AM

Vermont

Great historical information, has anyone tried to backcross to either of these varieties to increase size further?

2/15/2016 2:13:58 PM