Congo is setting fruit well

I'm growing about 24 spots of watermelons plants (3 plants per spot), using black plastic. It's fairly hot (and very dry, as in the air is dry), now (100° F.) The black plastic heats the soil even more. It'll  perhaps get significantly hotter, but it's hot enough now for many plants to wilt, where black plastic is being used (and where it's not for some kinds). I should probably give them a dose of Epsom salt if it helps other plants like it helped the strawberries handle the heat.

It turns out that Congo and my Congo cross watermelons in full sun are setting lots of fruit from five of their plants (the one with shade in the morning is a politer plant and I don't think it has set fruit, yet). The other breeds of watermelons have a few fruits between them, so far.

So, Congo seems to be the winner for most vigorous early fruit set, and most heat-tolerant in fruit set.

I'm pretty excited because Congo I'd known to grow fairly large fruit. It seems to tolerate the heat well, too. The fruits are setting well. I'd rank Black Diamond and Sugar Baby Bush next.

Ancient seems to have initially been the most vigorous grower.

Hamby tolerated the cold the best in the greenhouse, and sprouted well in it.

We'll see how the season progesses.