Uzbekistan does not very good connection to internet.

For westerner, Central Asian countries are not always easy to find through the internet, that is right.
Many Uzbek's can speak Russian,and others can speak English
at least in big populated areas.
To my understanding Uzbekistan is better connected than Turkmenistan.
Not so long ago a nice person from Uzbekistan named Ravshan was writing in that same forum, so it is a matter of coincidence as well.
Uzbek melons were also grown in the USA, David Karp was writing few articles about it, I did contacted him and few others: Balakian Farms, Ruben Mkrtchyan, and others I cannot recall, Most of them were very kind, others did not reapply.
I'm certain that at least on a small scale, seeds of Uzbek melons are circulating in the US, and probably few of those melons can be found where there is a community who yearn for them.
If no one will participate, I'll try to maintain that thread every once in a wile.
I have more than enough melon varieties, much more than I can grow in one season, but growing melons without growing the famous Uzbek ones, it seems to be somewhat lacking.
If not mistaking The photo shows "Melon Torpedo" or Mirzachul, I read a review from Uzbek blogger, describing its taste as almost similar to the Turkish famous kirkagac
The photo is from that article:
http://www.anons.uz/article/society/8032/

I had to edit the post as the Russian and Turkish names were not displayed properly

This post was edited by naat on Wed, Dec 26, 12 at 5:05

I saw these listings in Baker Creek Seeds Catalogue.

http://rareseeds.com/uzbek-sweetness-melon.html Uzbek Sweetness

http://rareseeds.com/afghan-honeydew-melon.html
Afghan honeydew

I will go through my melon seed in a week or two and see if I have any that might fit your description. If you could find a photo or a description that is more detailed, that would help considerably. Meantime, take a look through these pages.

seedzoo

DarJones

teauteau, you are right, I have mentioned it in the opening post.
The Afghan melon is exceptionally tasty, the other one was out of stock last season, and According to the description
the Uzbek Sweetness is not what I'm after
There are seeds available also from other melon referred to as: Uzbek-Russian melon
and I'm not yet certain if it is an Russian version of the Mirzachul or something completely different, from what I have read in Russian gardening forum, people who knows the Uzbek melons say that Mirzachul is not the same as Uzbek-Russian melon, that make sense, the real Mirzachul and other great Uzbek melons, will take longer season to mature.

If you pick up Uzbek telephone guide, pick up a random number,
than call there in the middle of the night, and ask an adult from that household which is the best melon,
Than, apart for blaming you for the late call, they may lecture you till dawn, about different varieties grown in different places, in different seasons, and which is better for drying, and such and so.

completely and utterly a world within itself covered by melons.

Few of the melons I'm searching for were cultivated in California
in the following link there are few articles on that subject

Here is a link that might be useful: articles about melons from latimes

fusion_power, thank you, I'll search for better description, few months ago there was a guy from Uzbekistan posting in that forum, named Ravshan, I missed a replay he sent me 3 months ago with names of preferred melons varieties, The one my relative described from her childhood in Uzbekistan was elongated, slightly pointy at the ends , netted, with alternate colors and spots
she said it had orange or salmon colored pulp,
and a bit crispy in a pleasant succulent way (as opposed to "uncooked potato" type of crispiness)
not sure if that was the Non gusht, as I never seen a picture,
it should have the shape of "Afghan honeydew" maybe larger in size, and more colorful on the outside.

From what I've gathered, the closest by shape, popularity, and taste is the orange version of the shakarpalak
it is named: Kizil shakarpalak
the photo is from:melons in Uzbekistan, (Google books)
other ones Ravshan mentioned for their superb taste were:
obinovvot, bosvoldi, kukcha, regular shakarpalak,Mirzachul
I have read that in California, attempts were made to grow at least two of them on commercial scale those were:
Mirzachul and obinovvot

Naat,
Sorry for duplication of information in my last posting. I get excited reading about produce that is new to me!

Have you contacted Seed Savers Exchange? They might be able to help you locate your melons. They have a lot of information about thousands of heirloom and open pollinated melons. They have members from all over the world and a giant seed bank that you may be able to get access too if you become a member. Here's a link: http://www.seedsavers.org/

See if any of these ring any bells.

Abunabat
Buri kalla
Obinnovvot
Guliabi Orange
Sarik-Kaun
Hangaliak-kokca
Emiri - Lebap
TASHLAKY
Khalt Khol

Darjones

teauteau:
seed savers exchange may bee good place for searching
for the time being I'm using Google translate and writing in Russian speaking forums

Darjones:
Yes it is ringing numerous Christmas bells
Very Impressive melon seeds collection from that part of the globe, you must have been busy.
I'm not familiar with few of those names.
But have tried to gather some information before replying
The Emiri and Tashlaki: are closest to the description, with different pulp color (Cucumis melo var. ameri)
Hangaliak-kokca: Assuming it is not the famous kokcha?, cylinder shape up to 10 pounds, very sweet?
Abunabat: couldn't find about it anything but a photo in tweeter, round with alternate colors?
Obinnovvot: the most famous after Mirzachul, was grown in Mississippi and California
Guliabi Orange: Assuming it is an winter storage melon (Cucumis melo var. zard)?
Khalt Khol, Sarik-Kaun: Did not find anything about it just that seeds were brought to the US from Samarkand at 1989
Buri kalla: Two variations, Makhalliy buri-kallya and Ola buri-kallya (Cucumis melo var. chandalak )
Did you grew all of those in the past, and are they available?

I know where to get them. I will see if they can be obtained. If so, I will send you a message and arrange to forward a few seed to you.

Interestingly, I found one item that is described as red fleshed. Are there any red fleshed Uzbek melons?

DarJones

Red.. sounds interesting, I have never heard of Uzbek melon with red pulp
Was the description written by someone who grew that variety, or collected the seeds?
Uzbek melons who has orange pulp or skin may have the word "Qizil" added to their name
Although in Uzbek "Qizil" means red, they refer more to orange colored pulp or skin
"qizg'ish" means orange color
"to'q sariq" can be orange as well
"sariq" is yellow
"pushti" means pink
"yashil" means green
Dark orange is the closest to red I can think of
Thanks, If it'll work out I'll wait for that message.

Naat, I have the seed in and can send you samples. Please send me an email with your physical address.

DarJones

Thank you for those uplifting news
email sent

fusion_power,
I actually have been looking for Uzbek melons since last year. Do you mind sending me some as well?
I can transfer funds for postage by pay-pal if you like.

I actually got hold of ravshan awhile ago but he replied after some while, so I only got to the email months after his reply since it got barried by spam. lol

I will try to contact him again.

Just came across his thread and I too am trying to track down some of these famous Uzbek melon varieties. I have started out with the Uzbek sweetness offered by baker creek. I would really like to acquire some others for spring planting 2015.

Glenn

Growing melons in z5a? That's no easy trick..

pnbrown, I have been growing various melons since 2006. the first few years I merely started indoors and planted out then depending on the season would have varying degree's of success dependant on variety. The last few years I get boat loads even with our very strange short and cool year we had this year. I fabricated a bunch of 4x8 mini green houses which go over top of either garbage bags or black weed barrier. I must pay close attention to the weather forecasts as it can get so hot inside it totally fries everything if I don't open the ends on a 70-75F day it can get well into the hundreds.
I have gone a little melon crazy and this fall/winter I will be fabbing up even more bigger homes for some of the more rampant growers who love heat. I haven't even finished harvesting this years crop and I am already getting a whole acre dedicated to growing melons prepped.

Glenn

Howdy all Uzbek melon lovers I'm growing 2 archers of them as we speak. here in Kountze Texas. I can be reached at 409 673 6425

Frank, have you grown them before? I was wondering how bad they split. Tried to grow some charentais in Beaumont a few years ago and they all split about a week before they were ripe (15 on a couple of plants.) I now live in Buna.

Gary

You mentioned '"Melon Torpedo" or Mirzachul'. I think that's likely the same melon as Torpeda, a melon from Uzbekistan, which I got from Baker Creek. I'm growing it, this year. I've got a seedling now. I hear it can take a long time to mature. I'm curious if that holds true in hot, dry climates with lots of sun.

I'm growing it for its taste/size, and appearance. I hear it tastes pretty good.

Gary if the plants are watered to much they will split I've had good luck with the drip irrigation and I put antifungal into the water I'm dripping

As you know sometimes in SE Texas you get moisture whether you want it or not. The charentais split from rainfall, never watered them. It was one of those years that it rained every 3 or 4 days. The other cantaloupe did not split. I plant to try the Uzbek if I can get the seeds in time. It is getting late, but maybe it will be drier when the melons start to ripen.

Hey brother my first 24 plants I planted in March shriveled up so I put some more seedlings in there place in May. I have learned that these melons adapt well and thrive if you do this 1. Before planting the seed I keep mine in the freezer, thaw for a day then put them in warm well water until they start to crack open 2. While there still wet spread them out on a towel to dry a little then put in a zip lock bag and add 2 table of antifungal powder shake it Good. 3. I like to use the 3x3" square starter pot and be sure to use mirical grow potting soil, 4. Place the treated seed in the center @ 1 1/2" deep ( under the moon phase of Scorpio ) 5. Important fact ! These melons grow in the desert So they must be planted in very loose sandy soil with a ph of 6.5 so do a ph test and adjust if need be. 6. Transplant the seedlings in May or June as they just will not grow below 85 f. Into a mound about 12" tall & 3 dia.( Secret ) I put my mounds together in February using 3 tbsp. Of triple 13 fertilize & a 1/4 cup of cotton seed meal about an inch above it. Let's that set and rot into the soil. I use the wire flags to mark my spot. When my seedlings are ready in late May I remove the flag,dig down to the decayed meal and place an empty 3lb. Folgers coffee can in the center and rake loose soil around it and pack it a little pull the can out and fill with the potting soil add the seedling in the middle. 7. Water real good using a root stimulater mix then about every other day for a week. When runners reach 3 ft. Add 2 more tbsp. Of fertilize to soil around the base 3" away from stem and bring soil into and around plant mix antifungal powder to water n pour about a cup to plant. 8. Do not water anymore unless the leaves wilt if they do just add a pint or so. Oh and 1 other thing plant some cucumbers nearby they love the taste of cucumber pollen and will help bring in the bee's to pollinate the female flowers. Call me 409 673 6425 if you need me.

Deserts are known to have clay, too. I don't know about this breed of muskmelon*, but many muskmelons thrive in clay in desert-like situations as long as they have the proper nutrients and a good start before the late spring/summer. Potassium seems to be a nutrient they love in particular. They don't seem to mind alkaline conditions particularly, either.

I could see clay in a humid and wet climate being a possible issue, though, but I haven't gardened in a place like that.

Watermelons, on the other hand, don't seem so fond of compact soils, comparatively, except for Citron watermelons (which I note are wild in the desert).

*The definition of muskmelon I'm using is anything that belongs to the C. melo species (including cantaloupes, honeydews, Armenian cucumbers, etc.)

No cucumber should be planted near uzbek or any other melons! It could spoil taste of that marvelous melon . Instead of super sweet, honey-like aroma, you will get very bland fruit. It won't have even cucumber's flavor.

In Uzbekistan, no cucumber is allowed near their melon fields.

Melons like very dry air and hot sun. No watering should happens after they start to turn yellow.

My comment was on Frank Davis's advice to plant cucumbers nearby melons.

Oh, sorry! I'll delete my comment while I still can.

I hear some plants can alter the taste of others. I mean, like growing basil by tomatoes is said to improve the taste. Is that kind of what you mean?

Or are you talking about cross-pollination? I have a friend who showed me a picture of something she said was a cross between a cucumber and a melon in her garden from the previous year. It looked like a solid dark green watermelon on the outside (it was the size of a watermelon, too), but it wasn't a watermelon.

Cucumber-melon crosses aren't proven to the masses to occur, however, insofar as I've found, although a lot of people say they'll cross. If only they'd save seeds of them for proof! But most people strive with all their might to avoid the crosses, or else discard them as worthless when they seem to happen. I'd be curious to grow them out (not just the F1 generation, since the F2+ probably have a lot more potential to be sweet or else cucumber-like).

Armenian cucumbers are so much like cucumbers in some regards that I wonder if they actually have some cucumber in their ancestry.

I talk about cross-pollination. I don't know how much seeds will change genetically, but taste of flesh around them will worsen dramatically.

I talk only about melons and cucumber. Watermelons for sure, and probably cantaloupes are not affected by cross-pollination with cucumbers.

Frank,

Grew the Tarpeta melon from Baker creek. I have 3 good sized melons. I was wondering how you tell when they are ripe. They are the size of a small watermelon. Do they change color to a lighter yellow or brown. Or do they stay about the same color.

It would be good if they slipped off the vine like a cantaloupe, but with my luck it will be a little more difficult.