Grown Ali Baba Watermelon?

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Ali Baba Watermelon — Melons | DarkGrow Seed Bank

Name: Ali Baba Watermelon
Brand: DarkGrow Seed Bank

100-110days to harvest

7-12days to germinate

Z5–10USDA zones

Moderate to challengingdifficulty

Heirloom

Sowing

Direct sow when soil reaches 70°F, requires long growing season. Plant in amended hills with 10+ feet spacing between plants for adequate room.

Cultivation

Sun: Full sun (6+ hours)
Water: 2-3 inches per week, consistent deep watering throughout growing season
Soil: Deep, well-drained fertile loam with high organic matter
Soil pH: 6.0-7.0
Spacing: 96-120 inches
Height: 4-8 inches
Season: Warm season

Appearance & flavour

Colour: Light green skin with dark green stripes, bright red flesh with brown seeds
Size: 40-100 pounds
Shape: Very large, elongated oval to oblong
Flavour: Very sweet with excellent crisp texture and refreshing juice

In the kitchen

Fresh eating for large gatherings, juicing, preserving, competition growing, special events

Pests, disease & resistance

Pests: Cucumber beetles, squash bugs, aphids, vine borers
Diseases: Fusarium wilt, anthracnose, gummy stem blight, bacterial fruit blotch
Resistance: Good natural vigor but limited specific disease resistance

Planting calendar by USDA zone

Zone	Start indoors	Transplant	Direct sow	Harvest
3	May	June – July	June – August	October
4	April – May	June	June – July	October
5	April	May – June	May – July	September – October
6	April	May – June	May – July	September – November
7	March – April	May	May – June	September – October
8	March	April – May	April – June	August – October
9	February	March – April	March – May	July – September
10	January – February	March	March – April	July – August
11	January	February	February – March	June – July
12	January	February	February – March	June – July
13	January	February	February – March	June – July

Companion planting

8 beneficial pairings indexed for this variety, 3 to avoid.

NasturtiumsActs as trap crop for cucumber beetles and aphids, repels squash bugs

MarigoldsDeters nematodes and cucumber beetles, attracts beneficial insects

RadishesRepels cucumber beetles and squash bugs, breaks up soil for watermelon roots

BeansFixes nitrogen in soil, provides ground cover to retain moisture

CornProvides natural windbreak and partial shade, supports beneficial insects

SunflowersAttracts pollinators essential for fruit set, provides beneficial shade

CatnipRepels ants, aphids, and cucumber beetles more effectively than DEET

OreganoRepels cucumber beetles and provides general pest deterrence

Avoid

FennelAllelopathic properties inhibit growth and can stunt watermelon development

PotatoesCompete for similar nutrients and space, may harbor similar fungal diseases

TomatoesHeavy feeders that compete for nutrients, attract similar pests like aphids

Nutrition (per 100 g)

Calories (per 100 g): 30
Protein (g): 0.61
Fat (g): 0.15
Carbohydrate (g): 7.55
Fibre (g): 0.4
Sugars (g): 6.2
Vitamin A (µg): 28
Vitamin C (mg): 8.1
Vitamin E (mg): 0.05
Vitamin K (µg): 0.1
Vitamin B6 (mg): 0.045
Folate (µg): 3
Calcium (mg): 7
Iron (mg): 0.24
Magnesium (mg): 10
Phosphorus (mg): 11
Potassium (mg): 112
Zinc (mg): 0.1
Selenium (µg): 0.4

← PreviousBoule d'Or Charentais Next →Black Beauty

Where to buy seed and equipment

Some links are affiliate links. If you buy through them we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.

Growing it? There is a full cultivation guide at the melons growing guide.

Cultivar facts compiled from public horticultural references including USDA GRIN and NC State Extension. Descriptions are original to this catalogue.

Sowing

Cultivation

Appearance & flavour

In the kitchen

Pests, disease & resistance

Planting calendar by USDA zone

Companion planting

Avoid

Nutrition (per 100 g)

Where to buy seed and equipment

Grown Ali Baba Watermelon?

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