Narrative
Breeder: J. Norton, 1984. Vendor: Auburn University. Common or summer type. Best adapted to the southeastern USA. 75 day maturity (from seeding to harvest), 3 days earlier than Planters Jumbo. Plant: andromonoecious and vining. Leaf (mature blade of third leaf): orbicular shape, shallowly lobed, dark green (rio gold) color, 127 mm length, 152 mm width, surface scabrous. Fruit (at edible maturity): 18 cm length, 15 cm diameter, 1900 gram weight, oval shape, netted surface, conspicous blossom scar, ribs present, 10 ribs per fruit, 48 mm rib width at medial, netted ribs, sutures shallow and netted, excellent (long distance) shipping quality, fruit abscise when ripe. Rind net: abundant, covers entire fruit, medium coarse, complete, shallow interstices. Rind texture hard, 4 mm thick at medial. Rind color (at edible maturity): primary color green, net color gray, mottling color cream, furrow (suture) color cream. Rind color (at full maturity): primary color cream, net color gray, mottling color gold, furrow (suture) color gold. Flesh (at edible maturity): orange near cavity, orange in center, green near rind, refractometer 12% soluable solids (center of flesh), strong aroma, mild flavor. Seed cavity: 76 mm length, 50 mm width, circular shape in cross-section. Seeds: 384 per fruit, 29 grams per 1,000. Resistant to powdery mildew, downy mildew, and gummy stem blight. Most closely resembles Hales Best Jumbo for days to maturity, Gulfcoast for plant vigor, plant habit, flesh aroma, flesh flavor, and flesh color, Southland for fruit netting and fruit size, and Planters Jumbo for fruit shape and rind color.