Ripening watermelon: Can you turn it upside down the last few days to help even ripening?

Question

I just picked my second watermelon and it was unevenly ripened. The bellyspot bottom portion that was sitting on the ground was not as ripe (I guess cause it didn't get sunlight). I should have waited longer, but can you turn the watermelon upside down without disconnecting it from the stem and leave the bellyspot region to get sunlight for a couple days? Thanks :).

Answer 1

I seriously doubt that turning your watermelon, at this point in time, will help it to ripen evenly. Watering...or lack of... may be the culprit.

Watering is critical in growing watermelons. The key time to water is from the time the fruit begins to form until it is half-grown. Excessive watering too close to harvesting of watermelon will reduce the sugar content and cause the fruit to have hollow centers. Also, did you fertilize regularly? I recommend using a high nitrogen fertilizer until flowers form. Then, switch over to a high phosphorous and potassium fertilizer. Liquid fertilizers and foliage feeding are best.

Many home gardeners experience difficulty in determining when watermelons are ripe. Use a combination of the following indicators: (1) light green, curly tendrils on the stem near the point of attachment of the melon usually turn brown and dry; (2) the surface color of the fruit turns dull; (3) the skin becomes resistant to penetration by the thumbnail and is rough to the touch; and (4) the bottom of the melon (where it lies on the soil) turns from light green to a yellowish color. These indicators for choosing a ripe watermelon are much more reliable than "thumping" the melon with a knuckle. Many watermelons do not emit the proverbial "dull thud" when ripe. For these, the dull thud may indicate an over-ripe, mushy melon.

Answer 2

The rind on the bottom of your watermelon will be a white or yellow color compared to the green of the rest of the fruit but the inside will be the same throughout-ripe or unripe.   Check out the melons at the supermarket.  They all have a yellow spot on the bottom.  Also, if you try to turn the melon over you are very apt to break the stem off.