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PostPosted: Thu Aug 02, 2012 7:59 pm 
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Joined: Sun Oct 09, 2011 2:28 pm
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Location: Woodway,TEXAS
Hi all,

my only watermelon is turing yellow on the top, and the bottom is still white. when thumping, it doesn't have the hollow sound of a ripe melon. My garden bed is in an area which gets sun all day, but I am somewhat surprised to see how yellow the melon has turned on the top!

The plant is one of those classic type watermelon - that one sees at the store - two toned green strips with seeds and is large oblong fruit. The seedling was planted on May 20, and fruit didn't appear until June 23. I am all organic, here.

With it turning yellow on the top: is this a bad thing? I really do not think it is ripe, and it's my only one so far. I not been able to find anything on the internet about the top turning yellow and I sure don't want to pick it before it's time.

Thank you,
Frankie


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PostPosted: Fri Aug 03, 2012 5:35 am 
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Location: Dallas,TEXAS
Do the vines still look healthy or are they shriveling? Do you have rich, organically amended soil? How often do you water and fertilize?

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PostPosted: Fri Aug 03, 2012 11:28 am 
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Joined: Sun Oct 09, 2011 2:28 pm
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Location: Woodway,TEXAS
Hi Sandi,
I have very well amended, rich organic soil; the one plant loves what it is growing in. Vines look great, tho some of the leaves are being eaten, I suspect, by grasshoppers. I have the bed on a drip system, watering - depending on the weather - every 2 or 3 days. From what I've read and discussed with other organic gardeners, I don't think I'm over watering. But maybe I am.

frankie


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PostPosted: Sat Aug 04, 2012 4:52 pm 
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Joined: Sun Oct 09, 2011 2:28 pm
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Location: Woodway,TEXAS
according to my friend Frank Epps of Epps Family Farms: my watermelon is sunburned.
From what I've looked up, I believe he is correct.
Internet sources say to protect by covering with surrounding vines, which I have done, and now I'm waiting for it to ripen enough to pick.

Hopefully this will be useful for others!

frankie


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PostPosted: Sun Aug 05, 2012 6:19 am 
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Make sure you are watering deeply. A drip needs to run several hours at a time. Fertilize every 2-3 weeks.

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Sandi
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Texas Master Naturalist
Organic gardener
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