Do you have any idea where I can buy Schochler Watermelon seeds?

I was curious and went looking and it seems that Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds has mentioned these in the past but are not currently offering them. I would suggest you contact them via their website and enquire about availability.

I couldn't find a current vendor, either. Dave's right, Baker Creek has been very chatty in the past, and they sure know old seeds!
[email protected]

I did find a detailed description:

NC State University has a Cucurbit Breeding department or sub-department, and they publish a "Vegetable Cultivar Descriptions for North America" with a section "Watermelon (M-Z)

http://cuke.hort.ncsu.edu/cucu...


"Schochler - Vendor: Robert Buist Co. Characteristics: 90 days to harvest; a very large melon used extensively in the South, having outstanding shipping requisites for size, tough rind and quality; fruit very long, 40 to 50 lb., rich dark green with faint stripe; flesh bright crimson, fine grained and very sugary."


I Googled "Robert Buist company" and found a lot of history about him, but as far as I can tell, the company is no longer in business.

The seed, nursery and greenhouse business was in Philadelphia.
67th Street was the last address I found.
He died in 1880 of pneumonia.
He turned his seed business over to his son Robert.

I found a photo of one, grown in Orofino, Idaho. The photo also shows Dave Schochler (a grandson of the developer of what they called "this hybrid").

If it really is F1 hybrid seed, your chances of finding it go way down!

Do you mind if I ask whether you're related?

Citrullus lanatus 'Schochler'
Schochler Watermelon

Thanks Rick. After I posted my question, I found most of the same information you did. Yes, I am a Schochler by marriage and we are related to Dave. I do know him and I asked him, but he gave all of his seeds to a cousin that doesn't have email, a phone or a computer. UGH.... So I will have to send him a letter.

Thank you for all your research. I will inquire with Baker Creek and ask them too.

Stacy

Stacy, and please let us know, you have peaked our interest in this melon. Mine anyway!

okay! i will!

Thanks, Stacy. Good luck. I hope you find it and let us know.

I'm not a member of Seed Savers Exchange, so i can't search their database. But I've asked whether a non-member can buy last year's Yearbook.

From all the history on the Internet, your grandfather-in-law must have been a greatly loved horticulturalist.

I was thinking SSE as well, Rick. My son used to be a member but I don't think he is now. I'll ask him tomorrow.

Rick,
I'm not related to him (the Schochler you are referring too) directly. Dave Schochler is my father-in-laws cousin some how. They are all descendants from a common ancestor though. Dave lived in Idaho for a time, but has moved back to Texas. That is where the seed originated from. My husbands grandfather grew them in his back yard every year, but he died a long time ago and we have a lot of regrets not learning more from him. He came from a great line of gardeners that's for sure.

>> Dave Schochler is my father-in-laws cousin some how

I couldn't even guess whether genealogists have a name for that!

But the mystery of the Schochler watermelon seeds will keep tantalizing me.

Arlene, I hope it is possible to get an old SSE Yearbook. I remember seeing one, once upon a time. Now that I have my own garden, I might make a list, invest the $40 membership fee one year, and collect a few disappearing heirlooms to see if I can multiply them.

Okay, I got up off my butt to see if I still had my SSE yearbook. I cannot find it. It was one of those things I held on to but with us moving and DOWNSIZING, I think I pitched it. Maybe Matt will have one. He doesn't throw those kinds of things away. At least I hope not. Unless he gave it to me thinking I wouldn't...

Hahahaha Rick. My dad is a genealogist. I just don't know how they are related, but they are cousins of some sort. ;) I've asked Dave, he wrote a book about our family. My father in law is going to ask his sister if she knows where any seeds are. I will keep you all posted. I feel like I've made some new friends.

stacyschochler said:Hahahaha Rick. My dad is a genealogist. I just don't know how they are related, but they are cousins of some sort. ;) I've asked Dave, he wrote a book about our family. My father in law is going to ask his sister if she knows where any seeds are. I will keep you all posted. I feel like I've made some new friends. :)

We are a curious group and Rick especially won't give up!

And by the way, Hang around, you'll have some fun!

I have the currant 2013 SSE yearbook, it's not listed. I did a search in the online yearbook and nothing came up. I thought it might show me if it had been listed in past yearbooks.

Patti, aren't you sweet for checking for us! I'm thinking we're not gonna find any of these seeds. But the search is half the fun! Thanks for checking for us!

>> I feel like I've made some new friends. :)

Yes you have!



>> 2013 SSE yearbook, it's not listed.

Thanks, Patti and Arlene. Sigh!

That means it doesn't matter that SSE won't sell old Yearbooks to non-members. Some day I'll just have to pay that $40 for membership.

I might not give up ... but I don't have any ideas right now, beyond asking Baker Creek who they got them from, back when..

It's cool that we have an "in" with the family of the original breeder! They might be the only holders of an endangered heirloom cultivar.

So has anyone checked with Baker Creek yet?

I asked Baker Creek, it can't hurt.

BTW, here it is in the ATP Plant database. I'm going to add it to my "Want" list, just in case anyone who has access stumbles onto the entry:
ATP BB Code:
Watermelon (Citrullus lanatus 'Schochler')

Cross-posted! Great rinds think alike.