Scaly Bark Watermelons?

[Bayard]

Anyone have experience growing these? Trying some this year for the first time, and having trouble telling when they're ripe. The usual thumping, and underside check doesn't seem to apply. I hate to cut up any more that look/sound like a good one I would buy at the grocery, to find they are totally unripe.

My usual Ali Baba's and Crimson Sweets are plugging right along, should be able to be picking in the next month.



Baker Seed Description:
https://www.rareseeds.com/scaly-bark-watermelon/

[NRaleighLiberal]

1. Historic variety for sure - nice job. Watermelons are tough - look at the tendril (curly thing)

closest to the melon - if it dries up, melon should be ripe - and spot where it lies turns yellow.

That is a late 1800s watermelon - always want to grow it, but haven't gotten to it yet.

Here is a scan from an 1884 Burpee when it was first introduced.

https://archive.org/stream/burpeesfarmannua1884watl#page/42/mode/1up/search/scaly+bark+watermelon

[Bayard]

2. That's the one!

These are starting to get quite big, and have their yellow spots underneath. They thump well---the old tried and true test: if you thump them and it sounds like thumping your forehead, they're not ripe, if it sounds like thumping your stomach, they're over-ripe. If the thump sounds like thumping your chest, it's just right!

Thanks Raleigh! Great history, they're supposed to be early and very sweet. I will look at stems more closely. Looks like its going to be a bumper crop!