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Dummer Twp - Ontario

When can you tell if the melon is mature other than no noticeable growth. Do they get dark green?

Has anyone ever had mice chewing into the melon and did they last as we have one with several of these spots that I pasted over with sulphur paste.

Thanks

9/3/2011 8:59:51 AM

formerly RGG

Some growers wince when I talk about this but it has never hurt any of my melons as far as I can tell. If you will press down fairly hard on the top of a melon and you hear a popping inside, then it's ripe. Also, 60 days post pollination is a good sign the melon will be ripe. If you are looking for a good eating melon you will want to pick it before it gets over ripe. A brown tendril next to a Carolina Cross melon is not a good sign it is ripe. Also thumping on a Carolina Cross won't tell you much as these melons are so large you can get that ripe low toned sound from one that isn't fully ripe yet.Sometimes the belly will go from white to a light yellow when they are ripe. If anything I think the skin color of the part of the melon exposed to sun will lighten a little as opposed to turning dark green. Sometimes part of a melon that is exposed to lots of direct sunshine will turn to a golden green color. This has nothing to do with how ripe the melon is. It is simply sunburn and an indication the melon should have received more shading.I have had a terrible problem this season with rodents chewing on my vines and melons and melon stems. Next year I think I will need to do a lot of rodent control. However they have left my larger melons alone and I'm not sure if they have chewed on any of my plants or melons to the point of doing any major damage with the exception of ruining many small melons before they get a chance to start swelling up. My 255 Mitchell has a place on it where it was chewed on by rodents when it was young.

9/3/2011 11:42:01 AM

Bethlehem CT

Kirk I have had melon with chewed spots, they kept fine for me as long as it didn't go into the flesh. The sulfur should help too.

9/4/2011 7:36:32 AM

Muddy Waters

In the North I have found they need to be on plant 2 months minimum to be ripe!if they stop growing leave them on plant continue to water plant!They will ripen & taste better on plant!

9/4/2011 7:57:19 AM

Muddy Waters

Im no X=spurt!I will be 50 in November & I will never mature!I refuse to participate in growing up!!

9/4/2011 7:59:48 AM

formerly RGG

Mark, if you surpass 250 pounds with one of your melons, I am going to personally declare you an expert. lol

9/4/2011 9:20:29 AM

Muddy Waters

getting close TD hours away!!!

9/4/2011 10:11:19 AM

sevierville, Tn

the sulphur should work as long as its not into the flesh.
mature when stop growing and or about 75-85 days. They will be ripe even earlier then that.

9/4/2011 12:24:11 PM

Bowdon, GA

I think they ripen faster in the south. Ussually ripe around 60 days here. If we do make it to full maturity their ussually mushy inside. They will feel like sand paper all over the top when fully mature, but will be over ripe.

9/4/2011 3:35:33 PM