Tianxingzhou Watermelons

Tianxingzhou Watermelons

　　Tianxingzhou watermelons are quite famous in Hubei and Wuhan areas — it can be said that everyone in Wuhan knows that Tianxingzhou produces premium watermelon varieties. These melons are known for their thin rinds, high moisture content, and high sugar levels. As a result, Tianxingzhou watermelons are very popular in the market.

Tianxingzhou was formed by the alluvial deposits of silt from the upper reaches of the Yangtze River and is surrounded by water on all sides, making it a “special zone” within the “Wuhan furnace” that is hot during the day but cool at night. Moreover, the soil here is soft, fertile, deep in tillage layer, and highly permeable — these unique natural conditions are extremely favorable for watermelon growth. Under normal circumstances, the sugar content of Tianxingzhou watermelons is 2–3 degrees higher than that of watermelons from other regions. Therefore, Tianxingzhou watermelons enjoy a great reputation across the three towns of Wuhan, and the island is referred to by locals as the “Watermelon Isle in the River.”

The people of Tianxing have a long history of growing watermelons, which can be roughly divided into three stages: as early as the late Qing Dynasty, a group of impoverished farmers fleeing famine arrived in Tianxingzhou from places such as Henan and Anhui. They reclaimed wasteland and mainly grew grain crops such as wheat, soybeans, and corn. A small number of households also introduced some watermelon varieties from Henan and Jiangxi. Although the amount planted was not large, this marked the beginning of watermelon cultivation on Tianxingzhou. During that period, large-seeded watermelons were grown, with main varieties including Sanyi Melon, Black Oil Skin Melon, and Black Peach Skin Melon.

After the liberation, watermelon cultivation saw significant development. According to statistics, around 1,000 mu of watermelons were planted in 1951. By 1958, the planting area had exceeded 2,000 mu, accounting for about 25% of the total cultivated land. Between 1969 and 1972, the watermelon planting area reached 30% of the total cultivated land. To purify watermelon varieties and increase yield, “South Breeding” (breeding in Hainan Island) began in 1971, introducing small-seeded hybrid first-generation watermelons. Trial planting results showed that these small-seeded watermelons had juicy flesh, with sugar content generally reaching around 10 degrees, and high yields averaging 7,000–8,000 jin per mu. In 1973, a second breeding team went to Hainan to develop seeds and brought back a batch of hybrid superior varieties, leading to the comprehensive promotion of small-seeded watermelons on Tianxingzhou and the eventual phasing out of large-seeded ones.