Lilly Melon is an F1 hybrid melon that reaches harvest in just 78 days from transplants, making it one of the faster options for gardeners in cooler climates. This compact-growing variety thrives in hardiness zones 4-11 and delivers creamy, sweet, aromatic fruit with the character of a Crenshaw melon. Its resistance to Powdery Mildew and Watermelon Mosaic Virus means fewer disease worries, while its modest water needs make it manageable even for gardeners juggling multiple crops.
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Moderate
4-11
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Moderate
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Lilly Melon produces creamy, sweet, aromatic fruit in just 78 days from transplants, a real advantage for northern gardeners with shorter seasons. The compact growth habit suits small gardens and containers, while its dual disease resistance to Powdery Mildew and Watermelon Mosaic Virus reduces the need for fungicide sprays. Early yields combined with reliable vigor make this hybrid earn its place in gardens from zone 4 through zone 11.
As a true melon, Lilly is grown for its sweet, aromatic fruit, eaten fresh and chilled in the ripest part of summer. The creamy texture and flavor suggest use in fruit platters, as a simple dessert sliced into wedges, or incorporated into smoothies and fruit salads where its sweetness shines.
No timeline data available yet for this variety.
Sow seeds indoors in late April or one month before your intended transplant date, using 50-cell plug trays or 2-3 inch biodegradable pots with three seeds per cell or pot, sown about 1/4 inch deep. Maintain soil temperature between 80-90°F (27-32°C) until germination. Handle seedlings carefully and never allow the soil to dry out. Grow seedlings at 75°F (24°C) and reduce both water and temperature for one week before transplanting to harden them off.
Transplant outdoors only when weather is frost-free, warm, and settled. Space plants 2-3 feet apart in rows 6 feet apart, or thin to one plant every 2-3 feet. Melons are frost-tender, so wait until soil has warmed and all danger of frost has passed.
Harvest Lilly Melons 78 days after transplanting them outdoors, once the fruit has reached full maturity. Pick melons when they slip easily from the vine at the stem and show the creamy, aromatic character typical of ripe Crenshaw-type melons.
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