QUEEN ANNE'S POCKET MELON SEEDS

Cucumis melo var. dudaim

These diminutive melons are named for Queen Anne (r. 1702-1714), who supposedly kept them about her person, to the effect of perfuming the air around her. There is little doubt that it worked. One of these little melons will perfume an entire house, especially in the heat of summer. As edibles they are of little value, their flesh being watery and insipid, but their fragrance is one of the most incredible in nature. It is almost obscene, and indeed sometimes intolerable, similarly to Jasmine, whose extreme headiness in an enclosed space is indicative of indole.

For its fragrance and historic significance, Queen Anne's Pocket Melon is worth growing at least once. Culture is similar to that of other melons: start indoors in 3" pots on or around the last frost, sowing 2-3 seeds per pot, 1/4" below surface of moist soil, and press to keep seed snug. Mist with warm water and cover with plastic to maintain moisture and temperature. Kept warm (75°F) and moist in bright light, seeds will usually germinate within a few days. Prick out seedlings to grow on in individual containers, or merely thin to one plant per pot. Grow on in bright light and harden off before planting outdoors, when soil has thoroughly warmed (65°F).

Queen Anne's Pocket Melon is a relatively compact vining plant, and a post or small trellis will be sufficent for keeping it off the ground. Fertilize with seaweed extract when transplanting. Mulch with compost, mixed with bat or seabird guano if you have it, then grass or straw, to within an inch or two of the stem, to stop soil splashing onto the plant. Water thoroughly. Await fragrant melons.

Packet contains at least 15 seeds.