Ladywingr,

It is ripe.....did you taste it? It is eaither a white fleshed melon or perhaps came from a hybrid and so is not true to type or it was a cross of some sort. Even very unripe normal watermelon are at least pink inside or show some color. A very unripe melon would have small white seeds....IMHO that is a mature fruit.

Thanks for your response.

I did taste it - tasted like the green part of a watermelon near the rind, and had very firm texture.

I'm no expert but have grown melons a long time. If you cut a melon say 3 weeks before it is ripe the melon will be pink inside and the seeds small and still white. 2 weeks before ripe a bit darker pink and the seeds full size and starting to turn color and hardening up. Perhaps that one melon is just a oddity (though I doubt it)....you said the melon was a volunteer....where did it come from? The kids spitting seeds? A leftover fruit from last year or you have no clue where it came from?

I have no clue where it came from. The vine just appeared in a flowerbed in my front yard.

The seeds being dark and apparently mature is what really threw me.

There are 4 more fruit on the vine and it is still blooming. They look like they will be about the same size as this one. I'm debating on whether to give it another month, then check another fruit or to just hang it up now and pull everything up.

If it tasted good it was ready:)

Can't say it tasted good - LOL!

Since it apparently is ripe and I don't care to try pickling it, away it goes. It's either a weird cross, or perhaps an old citron melon from responses I've received. I was surprised to read how easily cucurbits can cross - even cucumber with watermelon.

It's been an interesting couple of months watching this thing grow and mature, and I've learned a bit in the process. I always enjoy learning more - it's just a shame I won't be eating it. :-)

Thanks again,
Terri

Ladywingr,
I was born and raised in Safety Harbor-Clearwater area in the 50s and 60s. As a boy I used to hunt and fish alot. There used to be a wild watermelon that grew along pastures, fences, and the edges of woods. I firmly believe thats what im looking at in your picture. If im right, then its as ripe as its going to get. I just told my wife that I havent seen one in over 40 yrs. For the life of me I cant remember the name of that plant.
Plant em if you got em.
Sam

Sam,

I'm definitely leaning to the old citron melon as the variety. I'm sure there's a local name for it as well. We live along a river and bayou, and there's still a lot of old growth nearby if a bird were to eat something and make a "deposit" in the yard.

I haven't seen where anyone is particularly interested in using them, so the plant and fruit are going to "go away" this week with the curbside pickup.

Thanks for the additional ID,
Terri

Yup, Sam and Terri are correct. It's a Citron. Once upon a time Pinellas was mostly citrus groves and these things would pop up all over the groves...sure weren't palatable like a real water melon.

Tom