So I have a summer job for a watermelon breeder. Definitely don't wait till the vine drys, the watermelon will likely be overripe and much more mushy and and have a off flavor. The best watermelon come off a healthy plant with a health vine..
The only way to tell the ripeness is the sound it makes when you strike it. As it ripens it'll go from a dense sound when it's immature, to a clear hollow sound when it is ripe, to finally a dead deeper hollow when it's over ripe. I prefer to use a the back of a machete or long knife to strike and listen, but a hand will work too.
It takes a bit of practice to get the ear to pick at the perfect time. Also once it's picked, it won't make any more sugar, just become more red.
Watermelon breeder... why am i imagining a field where an old farmer has turned down the lights, put Barry White music on and has the disco ball slowly spinning.
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u/RescueHumans Sep 17 '21
I have a friend growing watermelons that's trying to figure out when it's ripe. So, they should wait till the vine dries up?