Hi,
Only my second time to grow Melons once in Garland, TX in black clay. Now
we have them in E.Texas, zone 8 in a sandy soil with red clay underneath.
Lots of Iron, very little N, plus it's acidic; Piney woods, you know. I dug
huge 4ft holes and added lime, manure, N, P and K, egg shells, water
crystals a few, LOTS of stuff. They have done great and vines are covering
all four of the five foot ladders, BUT...
We made beautiful Cedar Ladders to grow the Melons on, have several kinds.
Tried Charentais as it is supposed to be super sweet luxury type Melon. My
Dad says the Melons are splitting open before they ripen. He took one off
the vine after it split and said it was not sweet. Also he said the stem
was still green and not dried up. He asked me how to tell if melons are
ripe, I told him to use the pressure on the blossom end test. I think he is
getting confused about the vines getting brown and hard with the squash.
Should the vine get brown before you pick it? How do you tell when the
melons are ripe. Dad mainly takes care of the 1500 sq ft garden as I can't
go down every weekend any more, so I have to give him instructions.
Why are the melons splitting?

Thanks
Rita