Taishan Watermelons

Taishan Watermelons

　　In recent years, Taishan watermelons have gained widespread fame for their large-scale production, early market availability, high quality, and excellent varieties, securing a solid position in the markets of Hong Kong and Macau. As early as the first half of May, when watermelons elsewhere are still ripening on the vines, Taishan watermelons have already made their early debut in the market. After several years of selecting, purifying, and improving superior watermelon varieties, the “Xinqing” and “Jiabao” varieties have been established as the main cultivars. The “Xinqing” watermelon has a round shape, while the “Jiabao” is oval—but both are known for their thin rinds, red flesh, sweet taste, and minimal seeds. These two varieties are high-yielding, typically producing around 3,000 pounds per mu; in areas such as Sijiu Nancun, Bantan, Fucheng Beikeng, and Nanle, yields can reach over 5,000 pounds per mu. The largest watermelon can weigh up to 24 pounds, with the average being around 17–18 pounds.