|
|
Post by templeton on Feb 16, 2012 16:21:03 GMT -5
I've just grown my first Charentais melons - waiting a few days for the smell to develop, and a beast has gnawed into my first fruit that I was going to save for seed  . I've just picked it, and cleaned the seed under running water. But a quick check on the 'net has suggested either: this might be OK, or I should have stored the fruit for a few weeks to really ripen. Any more experienced growers help with this one? T |
|
|
|
Post by Joseph Lofthouse on Feb 16, 2012 16:29:01 GMT -5
If the melon was ripe enough to attract a beast, you should be good to go.
|
|
|
|
Post by 12540dumont on Feb 16, 2012 18:39:50 GMT -5
Templeton,
The 2 leggeds that tend to grab up my melons, exactly on the day they are ripe, have occasionally dropped one making their getaway.
When I washed the seeds, I found that the ones that were not ripe enough floated. This is not true in all cases, but just before I bundled them I did a germ test. None of the floaters germinated and a good 80% of the sinkers did germinate.
Regards, H
|
|
|
|
Post by templeton on Feb 17, 2012 2:26:46 GMT -5
Thanks folks. will do a float test.
T
|
|
|
|
Post by Joseph Lofthouse on Feb 17, 2012 6:53:15 GMT -5
Separating by the float test needs to be done while the seeds are still wet, either immediately after opening the melon, or after fermentation.
|
|
|
|
Post by templeton on Feb 18, 2012 3:47:07 GMT -5
Ahhh, OK. Might just wait and do a germ test.
T
|
|
|
|
Post by canadamike on Mar 5, 2012 16:28:57 GMT -5
Cucurbits seeds, in my experience, do not ripen all at the same time, some are older in the fruit that others, even an unrippen melon should give you some live seeds, albeit less depending on how unrippen it is...
|
|
|
|
Post by 12540dumont on Mar 5, 2012 19:05:45 GMT -5
Did I mention that I love you guys? I learn sumptin new everyday. And sometimes I relearn things I forgot. Thanks Joseph for clarifying what I was trying to say about the float test!
|
|
|
|
Post by templeton on Mar 6, 2012 0:47:44 GMT -5
harvested a second melon, and only saved the floaters. A germ test on the first unsorted batch showed 9 out of 20 germinated, so a bit under 50%
T
|
|
|
|
Post by raymondo on Mar 6, 2012 5:46:08 GMT -5
harvested a second melon, and only saved the floaters. A germ test on the first unsorted batch showed 9 out of 20 germinated, so a bit under 50% T Do you mean the sinkers? Not much point in saving floaters. |
|
|
|
Post by templeton on Mar 6, 2012 19:00:03 GMT -5
harvested a second melon, and only saved the floaters. A germ test on the first unsorted batch showed 9 out of 20 germinated, so a bit under 50% T Do you mean the sinkers? Not much point in saving floaters. What?  You mean it's not the other way around in the Southern Hemisphere ? What about if I'm left handed? Damn!   T |
|
|
|
Post by steev on Mar 6, 2012 22:01:41 GMT -5
It only looks like it's the other way around in the Southern Hemisphere. If you remember where the center of the earth is, you'll be fine.
|
|
|
|
Post by templeton on Mar 6, 2012 22:56:32 GMT -5
You try thinking straight hanging upside down... Which allows me to segue right into McArthur's Corrective Projection map of the world www.odt.org/pictureembed.htmFun, but also instructive T
|
|
. I've just picked it, and cleaned the seed under running water. But a quick check on the 'net has suggested either: 
You mean it's not the other way around in the Southern Hemisphere ? 
