Saved HL seeds - not sprouting
 

Greetings,

Total newbie at seed saving, but what is there to know..? I had one
melon plant, produced one melon that I couldn't wait any longer on
(held back for 3 weeks) so I hacked it off the vine, and it turns out
to be if not ripe then nearly so. Fruit was sweet and full of seeds,
but no central cavity like you see in storebought canteloupe. Fruit
was packed. So OK, I scoop out the seeds, let them air dry thinking I
just got 10x the seed I started with.

No other melon crops so 99% sure no crosses, and neighbors are 1/4 mile
away.

So after air drying I can't wait to check on things and take a paper
towel, wet it good and pop a handful (5-6) seeds in there, put in a
baggie and leave on the counter for a week. No sprouts.. so do I
assume this batch of seeds is not mature enough, or do I need to give
them more time, what..? Didn't really want to try the seeds in a pot
but I suppose that's the next step before I toss the seeds as no good.

I can't see where I would have gone wrong with this, any ideas..?

Thanks!