Question
Hi Elyse,

Athena cantaloupes which I grew from Gurney's seed are growing in my garden. They are about the size of my head now with brownish color netting but the skin between the netting is still green.

What will the outside of the cantaloupes look like when they are ripe and ready to pick?

Will the melons be hard to remove from the stem?

Thanks Much!

Mike

Answer
Mike:
As I have said here many times before, true cantaloupes when ripe will slip from the stem. You may prefer to pick them before this however, depending on how ripe you like them. They will be a tan color, and the blossom end will give when pushed on. They will come off easily once they are ripe.

Elyse