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Corryton, TN

All melons have stopped. I'm cutting them free. Any ideas on the best way to store for lowest % weight loss?

8/19/2010 12:13:24 PM

Trinity River Bottom

how long have you got to store them?

8/19/2010 12:58:28 PM

Corryton, TN

Ideally Oct 2. Realistically Sept 8 & 18. Just put them in the dinning room

8/19/2010 1:28:26 PM

Trinity River Bottom

i stored my 131 in living room for almost 2 weeks with no problems .

8/19/2010 1:30:54 PM

Trinity River Bottom

know anybody with a walkin cooler?

8/19/2010 1:43:13 PM

Garner, NC

I have talked to several growers around these parts, one being Mr. Boyyette and the other is Mr. Colleir. They both have different ways of keeping melons. Mr. Colleir puts them in coolers on pallets. Keeps melon for a good while but seems that the melons go bad very soon after coming out of the cooler. Mr. Boyette keeps his in his garage on a pallet, and keeps a fan blowing on them. Once a week he wipes the entire melon down with a 10% clorox mix and cleans the stem with a fungicde mix. Last year he picked a melon in the first of Aug. and had it in the fair mid Oct. and the melon looked wonderful. I am not sure of weight loss, but when the time comes for me to keep one. it's gonna be Mr. Boyette's way for me.
I hope you have a hoss waiting!

8/19/2010 1:51:40 PM

Trinity River Bottom

thats some good info. to know thanks

8/19/2010 2:09:11 PM

sevierville, Tn

I agree with Todd, cool but not cold seems best. Your living room would probally be a good temp controled place :) Put something under it in case it breaks. If they are healthy, i bet they would keep for a long time in your garage. I still have the 109 lb melon from the 157 bright sitting outside, it was cut on july 22.

They don't loose too much weight, maybe 5-8 lbs over 1 month
I kept one in a cooler last year, but i don't know how it did afterward since i sold it 2 days later.

8/19/2010 2:30:40 PM

Connecticut

what about a wine cellar?or a regular basement,mine is always cool.

8/19/2010 2:47:04 PM

Corryton, TN

Good ideas everyone. They've been washed, some have spots of concern on the bottom. So as not to be divorced they will stay on a plastic shower curtain. I'll post a pic soon without weights.

MMM if you can keep a secret I'll e-mail all the stats unless you want them after official weights later.

8/19/2010 2:49:23 PM

Frankfort Oh

BD -JUST POST THEM -were all rooting for u!ha ha

8/19/2010 3:12:13 PM

Rochester, Minnesota

I am lousy at keeping secrets, since if someone asks for the latest database, I just send it off. Send them any time you want and I will add them to the spreadsheet.

8/19/2010 4:43:26 PM

Trinity River Bottom

i didn't know anybody kept a data base on melons is it just on certain size melons james or what

8/19/2010 4:54:42 PM

formerly RGG

Dave, I went to my local Kroger's last year & asked them to help store my 181 that I took to the Tennessee Valley Fair & they were glad to help me. They held it for close to 2 weeks. BTW I am hoping to come out to your place tomorrow and purchase a basket of peaches if you still have some.

8/19/2010 6:11:43 PM

Corryton, TN

Come on TD. If I'm at the shed have my help call me. I'll be on the farm somewhere.

8/19/2010 8:06:39 PM

Corryton, TN

If I'm NOT at the shed

8/19/2010 8:07:28 PM

formerly RGG

Dave, it was a pleasure to meet you today. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for the wonderful tour of your lovely farm. And the peaches are some of the best I have ever had. I used most of them to make no cook freezer jam which my family & I will be thoroughly enjoying for the next several months.Thank you so very much & if there is anything I can ever do for you just ask.

8/20/2010 9:31:23 PM

Corryton, TN

My brother, you are always welcome here. Thanks for coming by.

8/21/2010 7:11:52 AM