for SR - a picture of one of my melons!

[smallblueplanet]

oh no its fruit agin!

We picked this melon - it doesn't look like a Minnesota Midget - because we thought it was nearly ripe, but how can you tell?



that should be how can you tell its ripe, not how can you tell its a Midget!

[lyndap]

You can tell if a melon is ripe by squeezing its bottom...hee hee!If you press on the dimple on the bottom,it should 'give' slightly.Also if you smell the melon,you should also be able to smell a slight scent.You do this with shop brought ones as well.

[nick the grief]

Best to practise on the ones in a shop, after all you don't want Your melons bruised

[smallblueplanet]

Oh so its okay to squeeze bottoms then? I thought so, but wondered about when to pick as I've never grown them before.

[sewer rat]

SBP
You really are a tease, getting my hopes up like that

[Alice]

I would say when you can smell it, it will be fully ripe.

[Squirrel]

I always smell them and never squeeze them! You can tell when your onions are going off as well, by smelling the bag they are kept in! Oranges in nets is another one. I think people in the supermarket must think I am crazy picking up and smelling things!

[smallblueplanet]

So do I smell or squeeze the bottom?!!!!!!!

[Squirrel]

Well if you don't mind being caught smelling bottoms ........

[lyndap]

Do both!!!! You just gently press the dimple on the bottom,if it gives slightly and the melon smells melony its ready!I knew it would start some cheeky messages mentioning bottoms!

[smallblueplanet]

'cheeky'???!

[SueA]

Hi SBP, just read a tip from Bob Flowerdew in Amateur Gardening magazine about how to tell if a melon is ripe, he says they are ready when little cracks appear on the stem where it joins the fruit.
You asked somewhere else about the best ones to grow & Grow Your Owm magazine recommends Lunabel F1, Sweetheart F1, Romeo F1 & Ogen.

[smallblueplanet]

Thanks Sue, I have been squeezing and sniffing without the neighbours catching me - so far! So this will help me.

Thinking of trying sweetheart, but will try to remember the others come seed-buying time.

[frost]

We have grown sweetheart from seed this year in the green house 2 plants to a 12 inch pot with great success, a really nice tasting melon.

[smallblueplanet]

Interesting thanks frost - have you any pictures of the plant/fruit?