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Subject: Market Farming
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- From: "Bill Shoemaker" <wshoemak AT inil.com>
- To: "Market Farming" <market-farming AT franklin.oit.unc.edu>
- Subject: Re: Watermelons
- Date: Mon, 16 Jul 2001 12:53:46 -0500
When watermelons turn ripe, several things
happen. First, it's not the stem that turns brown (until it's way overripe),
it's the tendrils across the vine from the stem. The little curly thing will
become pale, dry up and turn brown quickly. Also, the upper surface will lose
it's shine and develop a hazy look. The lower surface (turn it over and look)
will get yellow or even orangish in color. Finally, many watermelon growers
knock or slap melons and listen to them. What they are listening to is how the
sound passes through the melon. As the interior ripens it softens. The sound
travels slower and develops a lower pitch as it softens. An unripe watermelon
will almost have a "ping!" sound to it. An overripe watermelon sounds
like you slapped a water balloon. A ripe melon will sound like something
in-between. It takes some practice but once you begin to recognize the sound,
slapping or knocking the melons is the most reliable method.
I never minded practicing because you always have to cut them
open to see. And it's a shame to waste them....
Bill Shoemaker
Sr Research Specialist, Food Crops Univ of Illinois - St Charles Hort Research Center
|
-
Watermelons,
Vic & Pat Jackowsky, 07/15/2001
- <Possible follow-up(s)>
- Re: Watermelons, Gary & Sarah Rowland, 07/15/2001
- Re: Watermelons, mckemie, 07/16/2001
- Re: Watermelons, Bill Shoemaker, 07/16/2001
- Re: Watermelons, Tom Anslow, 07/17/2001
- Re: Watermelons, LEMON306, 07/17/2001
- Watermelons, Vic & Pat Jackowsky, 07/18/2001
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