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Partlow,Va

First time melon grower here. Can I harvest one and put it in the cellar for 3 weeks? My melons are almost done and was thinking about trying this on my ripest looking one.

9/7/2015 9:16:52 AM

Eastern Shore of VA

I'm curious myself Hank.
My first year as well.
I started out the year with 5 plants,lost 4 to voles,thought the 5th one went down too,then came back to find a nice size melon growing on a revitalized plant 2 weeks later.
Was hoping to take it to NC state fair, but it's begin in to brown on the stem,so I'm shooting for VA fair instead.
I said all that to say this;
I'm leaving it on the vine.
Half the plant has succumbed to mildew,but I have new growth and some gains(albeit small)every couple of days.
If the plant looks good,I say leave it.
There are more knowledgable folks on here than I.
Going to Richmond ?
Perhaps I'll see you there !

9/7/2015 9:36:47 AM

Piqua, Ohio

They will store for that long, you will lose a few pounds though.

9/7/2015 11:44:38 AM

Fenton, MI

Hank, Yes you can keep it for 3 weeks. Keeping it in the cellar will also help to keep it in great shape. You may only lose 2 to 6 pounds in 3 weeks.

9/7/2015 11:58:41 AM

NE Arkansas

I'd leave it on the plant unless there is no green left on the plant

9/7/2015 12:12:22 PM

Marshall, MI

Hank,Why would you pull a melon that's almost done?
If the plant looks good the melon could still be growing.
If your sure it's done growing then yes pull It and put it in the cellar.

9/7/2015 3:38:52 PM

simpson,KS

don't pull it yet plant a stick at the blossom end about a half an inch from it and wait a couple of days and see if it is gaining inches. I have one that I lmost gave up on . the plant looks like crap but has been gaining an inch a week which is about 6 inches of circumference which is about 10 to 12 lbs. keep it going hank

9/7/2015 9:29:49 PM

formerly RGG

I would say to pull the melon only if you are totally sure the stem is completely dead.

9/10/2015 7:21:02 AM

Buffalo, MN (Billsbigpumpkins@hotmail.com)

Hank if you harvest it do not store it on a concert surface.

9/10/2015 9:15:08 AM

Partlow,Va

Thanks everyone. The plant isn't totally gone and I haven't pulled the melon yet. The stick thing is a good idea to try and I'll keep my eye on the stem for turning brown then pull it.

I just cut up a 900 lb kin that I left on a weak plant (75%was pulled 3 weeks ago). This was a mistake because the kin was sound but the stem rotted off. This is what got me to thinking about pulling my melon. I couldn't move the kin to the cellar but I certainly can move the melon. Thanks and good luck down the stretch run

9/10/2015 9:43:35 AM