Melon Mother Mary's Pie (Cucumis melo)

Mother Mary's Pie Melon (Cucumis melo) : We chose this small melon for its exceptional ease of cultivation and minimal maintenance. Preserved by a Minnesota family for over a century, it was donated to the Seed Saver Exchange in 1997, where it was propagated and distributed to considerable success. It is a true melon ecotype, but don't expect anything similar to the now-Italian melons: it is similar to the oldest melons, such as the Mango Melon, with which it shares the beautiful yellow color and white flesh. Unlike the latter, it has a rounded shape, grows to a little more than 250 grams, and its flavor is closer to cantaloupe, though less sweet, yet still pleasant. This type of melon is also suitable for cooking, due to the particularly firm consistency of its flesh; in fact, its name translates as "Mother Mary's Pie Melon," as the family used to replace part of the apples with this melon.

The plant is very productive, and as mentioned, undemanding, making it suitable even for beginners. It's ready for consumption 75 days after transplanting; harvest it while the stalk is still attached to the plant. To harvest the seeds, wait until they detach on their own.

Like other CITOs , it can also be grown dry or in a garden designed to save a lot of water.

*= Very low, does not require irrigation

**= Low, also suitable for hot and arid areas, water only in case of prolonged drought

***= Reduced, one of the least demanding varieties of the species, suitable for areas with sporadic rainfall, irrigate only in case of prolonged drought

****= Tolerant to water stress, requires moderate irrigation, suitable for low-water consumption gardens.

Unfortunately, until the guide is published, this is just a rough guideline to avoid confusion. Dryland farming requires cultivation techniques suited to the soil and soil conditions. All varieties have been acclimated in Italy.