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feldon30 · June 11, 2007

The fruit SHOULD pull away from the stem or be very easy to remove from the stem once it's ripe. Honeydew and other melons are cut from the vine. Canteloupe should "slip" from the vine (sometimes called full slip) when it's ready. Of course you'll know it's ripe because when you get about 10 feet away from it, you'll smell it. Then you'll see that warm yellow-orange orb peaking out from the foliage.

Ideally, you should withdraw watering (and stop any rain if you have any outstanding favors with the Big Guy) for the last week before ripening to increase sweetness. Suffice it to say it's tough to figure out when a fruit has reached its mature size and is now focusing its energy on ripening, so it takes practice to get perfect melons and rain can derail that attempt.

I would provide some good mulch under the plant and using boards or upside down bowls or other methods to keep the fruit off the ground is sage advice. Some people grow cantaloupes up a trellis and use nylons (pantyhose) to support the fruit.

June 11, 2007	#2
feldon30 Tomatovillian™ Join Date: May 2006 Location: Rock Hill, SC Posts: 5,346	The fruit SHOULD pull away from the stem or be very easy to remove from the stem once it's ripe. Honeydew and other melons are cut from the vine. Canteloupe should "slip" from the vine (sometimes called full slip) when it's ready. Of course you'll know it's ripe because when you get about 10 feet away from it, you'll smell it. Then you'll see that warm yellow-orange orb peaking out from the foliage. Ideally, you should withdraw watering (and stop any rain if you have any outstanding favors with the Big Guy) for the last week before ripening to increase sweetness. Suffice it to say it's tough to figure out when a fruit has reached its mature size and is now focusing its energy on ripening, so it takes practice to get perfect melons and rain can derail that attempt. I would provide some good mulch under the plant and using boards or upside down bowls or other methods to keep the fruit off the ground is sage advice. Some people grow cantaloupes up a trellis and use nylons (pantyhose) to support the fruit.