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Bowdon, GA

Sorry for using this post for non-watermelon question, but I need some help. I have a canteloupe bigger than the 40# one I picked two weeks ago. It is within a day or two of being ripe (starting to see yellow). It may be woth taking it to a weigh off. Canteloupes tend to split in the fridge after ripe my best chance to hold it is to pick it now. Do any off you know where there might be some fairs or weigh offs that have canteloupes. Locations and dates might help with the decision. I would like to bring a watermelon too if I can hold the canteloupe together that long. If I can't find anywhere to go I may let it get ripe and just get a certified weight.

9/2/2009 7:33:21 PM

Okla

I believe it was Lowell Hatten that used to pick his green and keep it in the icebox for several days before it ripened up. It should help delay it getting ripe to fast by cooling it down.

9/2/2009 8:08:33 PM

sevierville, Tn

I don't know of any up here that has cantelope for any special prizes. Sorry, sounds like a nice one. Your diarey picts have been great. The fair in knoxville is next week, but that just has a 100.00 prize for melons & pumpkin, & even that is winner only prize. No 2nd place money !

9/2/2009 9:38:31 PM

Bowdon, GA

I may just let it get ripe should be tommorrow. I would like to get a certified weight, just in case someone in Georgia ever decides to keep records. I can't find anything about any state records in Georgia. Doug tried to find out what the state record watermelon was but couldn't find any. Some of the people in Cordele told him they thought there had been some 200+ melons at the festival but couldn't provide any info and they may have been from another state. Who keeps up with state records? What would you need to have a certified weight? Witnesses? Notary?

9/3/2009 11:53:31 PM

Carrollton, Ga.

Hey Jake,
I would get the county agent to witness it on a set of cetified scales.
Doug
Jn 3:16

9/4/2009 3:12:41 AM

Corryton, TN

I tried to hold 5 for the fair in Knoxville by storing at local grocery store. Picked them from just slightly turning to dark green. The ones that were turning got a little soft on the outside and no signs of a split. All of mine were 35-41 lbs. The dark one held up good. I didn't think they would hold for a week on display at the fair which is still a week away so I cut them on Tuesday. You might think about getting a certified weight, which I did at the post office, and then try to hold it. GOOD LUCK

9/4/2009 11:13:50 AM

Bowdon, GA

We got it weighed today on certified scales at the local feed store. Had some witnesses. Thanks for finding me some scales Doug. They actually had the guy from the state check it yesterday. The official weight was 43.9 pounds a personal best by 3.9 pounds. Is there agencies that keep state records? I can't find records for Georgia on anything but pumpkins. I think I'll do the same thing with my watermelon just in case. Brotherdave were yours any good. I have had 20-30 pounders that were good, but we cut a 40pounder this weekend that was tough as leather.

9/5/2009 11:46:47 PM

Corryton, TN

I've NEVER had a good melon of any kind but I have a great time watching others eat them. About 25 people tried the only one that was ripe (very little green left) it was 39lb 15.5oz from a 46.6 westfall. The textuue was what seemed to be the most different from ordinary melons but tough is not the way they described it. On a scale of 1-10 flavor seemed to average about 7.5-8 and there was NONE left even after they had eaten half a 77lb watermelon.

9/6/2009 6:43:57 AM

Corryton, TN

Holloway, Just looked at your diary and the one our family ate was about the same color. What seed is it from?

9/6/2009 6:56:45 AM

Bowdon, GA

Both of mine this year came off the same vine. Only had one vine It came from the 50.2 Schnicker. I would like to find a good seed to cross with next year.

9/7/2009 4:34:43 PM