Melons are lesser known in India as a table fruit. Though many cultivars are being grown in different regions both in fields and riverbeds, very few are with good aroma, colour, texture and sweetness.
Latest in the kitty of Namdhari Seeds is the new hybrid melon NS 89. Attractive fruits with green sutures and netting are of exotic taste and excellent pulp colour. Oval fruits weigh from 1.5 - 2 Kg and mature early (70 days). The external appearance is of North Indian local melon but with tight cavity and TSS of 12 - 14%.
Melons come up well in mild temperature and dry weather conditions ie, towards the end of winter. Fertile sandy loam soil with good poration is ideal. Recommended spacing is 6ft row to row and 2ft plant to plant.

Most common insect pests are thrips and aphids and could be kept in check by chemicals. These are observed more on growing tips of vines. Combination of Acephate and Monocrotophos is effective in controlling population build-up of both thrips and aphids. The other serious and common pest is leaf miner. Alternate spraying of Hostathion(Triazophos) and Vertimec (Abamectin) is effective. Mixing of fresh neem seed extract (3-5ml/l) with every spray will give better results. Incidence of fungal diseases like Alternaria leaf spot and downy mildew is more pronounced in humid conditions. Either as preventive or curative measure, use of fungicides like Copper oxy-chloride, Chlorothalonil, Mancozeb or Metalaxyl at different stages is pre-requisite to take up a successful crop.