South Valley Melon (Cucumis melo): A melon grown in the desert areas at 1,500 meters above sea level in New Mexico, in the Albuquerque area. This melon is cultivated by the Puebloan tribes for personal consumption and small-scale trade. The fruit is oval, with sharp ribs; the skin is smooth, sometimes cracked. The orange flesh is sweet but not overly so, fresh, and pleasant.
The plant is rustic, with limited water requirements. Dryfarming cultivation will be tested next year, as it has demonstrated excellent tolerance to water stress and good resistance to fungal diseases over the past three years, due to the limited vigour of the aerial part.
A very interesting cultivar, suitable for beginners as well as for those growing in arid or water-poor soils.
