Watermelon Carolina Cross 180 (Citrullus lanatus)

Carolina Cross 180 Watermelon (Citrullus lanatus) : We've given ourselves a bit of license; this is certainly not a sustainable variety; it requires water and fertile soil, and a lot of care, but it's of great botanical interest, and we like it. This watermelon easily exceeds 100 kg and is edible, but it's certainly not grown for its flavor. It's a bit of fun in the garden, a challenge to refine cultivation techniques, and perhaps even draw attention to more sustainable issues. It can be grown throughout Italy, but requires long, hot summers to thrive. It's best grown in well-tilled and fertilized soil, with irrigation appropriate to the size of the species. Planting distance is 2 x 2 meters; leave one fruit per plant if you're aiming for maximum size, then prune to optimize growth; reduce irrigation in the days before harvest, once the fruit is ripe.