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Western PA

To avoid stepping on vines when I took some measurments, I had to lean on my melon with one hand. I heard some cracking when I leaned on it.

Is that a bad thing to do ? Will it hurt or hamper more growth ?

I would imagine that at some point, they may do that on their own, but that is just a guess.

8/16/2011 10:40:42 AM

formerly RGG

They do do that on their own sometimes. This is a sign of ripeness and also an indication the melon is probably hollow inside. It won't hurt the melon and it should keep growing as it was.

8/16/2011 10:44:38 AM

Garner, NC

TD is correct. Had one last year I moved to put 2x4s under and it cracked on the inside. It still grew well for 30 some days. However it was hollow inside and went 13lbs light.

8/16/2011 11:35:11 AM

Muddy Waters

Wow!! I would freak if I heard Melon Crack!!LOL

8/16/2011 5:21:36 PM

formerly RGG

I have heard many of them pop when pushed down on. I even do this sometimes at the market. Most of the time they won't do it. I have never had one pop that wasn't ripe though.

8/16/2011 8:53:04 PM

Muddy Waters

I dont lean on my melons!I dont think the words Melon & crack should be used in the same sentence.I will just stick to leaning on my brother!!LOL

8/16/2011 9:45:23 PM

Bethlehem CT

I heard a couple of mine crack this year when I leaned on them. So I got smart and stopped leaning on them. They are still growing and it has been several weeks.

8/17/2011 7:29:47 AM

formerly RGG

I believe the cracking just speeds up a natural process that happens anyway. Big people sometimes sit on ripe melons and it doesn't seem to hurt them.The rind of a Carolina Cross is thick and tough.

8/17/2011 8:13:07 AM

Western PA

Thanks for all the replies.

8/17/2011 9:19:58 AM

sevierville, Tn

I try not to lean on them, especially in the middle.

8/17/2011 2:58:09 PM

Bowdon, GA

I've had mine do that when sliding the lifting tarp under them the first time. Light and heavy ones. I guess it might make more noise if it was light.

8/17/2011 10:47:00 PM

Jamul

Lucky thread for me. I have been picking mountain Hoosiers using the "crack em" technique since reading this. Works like a charm. We had one for a party yesterday and the perfectly ripe inside of the melon just peeled off the rind in chunks. Unfortunately, one of my organic CC plants died and I can not "crack" the 150 pound melon, so it's probably not good.

8/21/2011 9:09:41 PM