Huerfano Bliss Melon

From our grower, David Vigil:

An exceptional orange honeydew with a rich, dense flesh with a complex flavor that includes hints of vanilla. The plants are vigorous and produce fruits that are 5-6” across.  Selected and introduced by Pueblo Seed & Food Company.  This melon is named for the Huerfano River in southern Colorado, the same region where David’s grandparents and their ancestors farmed in the high desert.  While melons are not indigenous to the Americas, they have been cultivated in the Southwest for many centuries.

Days to Maturity: 90

Seeds per pack: 25

Germination rate: 96% on 11/17/2025

Planting / harvesting notes

Melons can be direct-sown or transplanted into soils that are above 65 degrees Fahrenheit, typically 2-3 weeks after the last frost date.  Sow indoors about 2 weeks before transplanting. Melons are vigorous growers and if started too early they will become rootbound.  Space plants 2-3’ apart, or grow in hills. Vines will sprawl around 3 feet in every direction, so be sure to provide adequate space or a trellis if you wish.  Like all Curcubits, they benefit from compost or well-aged manure.

Harvest when the skin goes from pale green to pale yellow and the blossom end yields to gentle pressure.  Honeydews don’t slip from the vine in the same way as canteloupes, but we have found that in peak summer these will slip from the vine but will leave a scar on the melon and should be eaten soon after. This variety will keep for several weeks in refrigeration, but we typically find ourselves eating them before that!

Seed keeping notes

Isolate by 1/2 mile from other members of C. melo, including other muskmelons, cantaloupes, honeydews, and Armenian cucumbers.

Seeds are ripe when the fruit is ripe, and unlike cucumbers do not need fermentation. Allowing the fruit to ripen until they slip will maximize the sweetness and seed maturity.

Rinse seeds in a mesh colander and then quickly dry on screens, paper towels, or paper bags. Allow to dry in a ventilated place away from direct sunlight. In our experience, the float test did not work well for separating viable seeds, but winnowing with a fan helped to get rid of immature seeds