Your Okra patch sounds like my watermelons this year. I had several old Heirloom varieties in brand new packets that I had never gotten around to trying.

I had missed gardening for a few years plus, before that I had grown Jubilee watermelons almost every year due to them being just about as close to watermelon perfection for me as one could ask for so I just stuck with them.

I always wanted to try others but I just have so much room for melons as they take up a huge area on a per plant basis.

Out of a whole packet of Congo seed I only got two to sprout with the paper towel method and none from the ground. I really like Congo melons and have tried before. I now have those going.

I got about 4 Mountain Hoosiers plants up from a package dated 2008, 2 from the ground and two cracked from germination. Can't wait to see what these do. To me they just seem/ look like the old yellow belly Black Diamonds in pictures ( which is an excellent old variety by the way) but who know it might be worlds apart.

I finally got 2 Garrison watermelon plants out of the ground from seed I know is at least 10 years old. I got these as a free seed packet that Baker Creek seeds gives you every order and never heard of or used. They do not even carry it any more as it is from way back in 1800s. I am not 100% sure but they may just call these Rattlesnake melons nowadays, or they may be a separate strain I am not sure as info is conflicting.

I got one. count em ONE Kleckey's Sweet melon from seed planted in the ground that 100% failed a germination test. Looking forward to seeing what this one is about.

I also planted a few Charleston Greys from a brand new package and had every one of those come up in a few days. They are always just dandy ice cold on a summer day.

I ended up getting a nice stand of plants and at least one of every variety Except Dixie Queen which was just too dang ancient. I have tried them before anyhow and they are not one of my favs anyway.

Now just like you, I will be able to update my entire seed bank of watermelon seeds that I had and also try out some real old fashioned stuff and the old Garrison strain which is now kinda rare. Stuff may cross pollinate too bad to save but maybe not.

Authereray, I totally agree! I dumped an entire packet of cucumber seed into a row recently. They were labeled for 2006 so i assumed I'd be lucky to get any germination whatsoever. Well.. I think they all came up! Lol I only planted them as a nod to a great old feed store that closed a few years ago.. It was my last packet from the great Horn Seed Co. I guess I shouldn't be surprised their seed was still viable. Great company.

Jerrydaniel, you'll have to keep us updated on all those melons!

Jerrydaniel,

I believe you are right about Garrison being called Rattlesnake melons my Grandpa used to plant these every year and save back seed from the biggest one. Charleston Grey is also a great melon any time. They used to get nearly 4 ft. long and taste very good. I have never been able to raise a Congo, either they don't come up or something happens to them. I don't know any thing about Kleckey Sweet but have heard of them. But you will like the Mountain Hoosiers they were one of the best tasting watermelons I know of, even better than Black Diamond. Mountain Hoosiers are thin rind and not shipping watermelons, just for eating in the shade on hot days. Something has happened to Black Diamond nowadays they all have a white heart. Sometimes they will cross potentiate not bad.

(amunko1),

I hate to just throw out any seed with out giving them a chance. I do understand.

It's an enigma to me. Sometimes one can take seed which is nearly 20 years old and sat in a closet, and it will germinate well. Other times, as with some of my squash and corn seed, I can't get a seed to germinate from jars sealed in 2010! I do believe that optimal conditions help. I bet the okra needed heat, moisture and warmth, all at the same time... and got it.

George

I thinned the sprouts to 6" apart and after it rained there are still more coming up. I am absolutely amazed.