The Philippines
December 9, 2025
Melons are popular year round in the Philippines, including watermelon and honeydew, with consumption peaking during the summer season from April – June, and the holiday season in December – January.
With the recent launch of East-West Seed’s new watermelon and honeydew varieties in the Philippines, Filipino farmers can now look forward to sweet returns from producing these crops which are best planted between the months of October and March for maximum resistance against pests and diseases.
Ariana F1 watermelon and Leonor F1 honeydew product launching at Ruben Seedling Integrated Farm in Valladolid, Negros Occidental in July 2025.
Ariana F1 is for watermelon farmers who are looking for an alternative variety with bigger fruits, higher yield, and longer shelf life of 18-20 days, longer by at least 5 days compared with other varieties. It also boasts of NUTRISHIELD+, an advanced seed coating technology that provides both nutrition and protection to seeds during their first 21 days after planting.
Ariana F1 watermelon at 55 days after transplanting
“Ariana F1 is highly marketable for us farmers with its bright crimson colour, sweetness, nutritiousness, and fruit size of 3 – 6 kilograms,” said Dominican Gondez, Jr, a farmer from Echague, Isabela who has been planting watermelons for over a year. “The variety is perfect for consumers who prefer ‘personal size’ watermelons, which would typically weigh up to 6 kilograms.”
Leonor F1, on the other hand, is a honeydew melon variety that offers farmers crop security with its disease resistance against Downy Mildew and Begomovirus, increasing prospects of a 10-18% higher yield. It also has NUTRISHIELD+, which adds an extra layer of protection to the seeds after planting. Leonor F1 is also an early maturing variety, which means farmers can harvest the fruits from 50-55 days after transplanting, at least 5 days earlier compared to other varieties.
Leonor F1 yields fruits that are almost uniform in size and have a delicious sweet taste and mild aroma. Rich in Vitamin C and antioxidants, this honeydew variety also appeals to the health-conscious consumers.
Leonor F1 honeydew at 46 days after transplanting
“The Leonor F1 is very appealing to consumers because of its smooth appearance and sweet taste,” said Philip Pacia from Pililia, Rizal, who has been farming melons for 50 years. “I highly recommend this variety to melon lovers and farmers alike.”
The Ariana F1 watermelon is available in a 35-seed go grow pouch, 1250-seed can, and 2500-seed can.
Leonor F1 is available in a 300-seed pouch.
If you are interested in the Ariana F1 and/or Leonor F1 varieties, or in any other East-West Seed varieties, you can contact East-West Seed Philippines at +63 917-110-5744 or email info.ph@eastwestseed.com.
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