this article<\/a>.<\/p>\nHow Do You Know When A Banana Melon Is Ready To Pick?<\/h2>\n
So you\u2019ve grown your banana melons to the fruiting stage, and you\u2019re excitedly waiting to pick them. But how do you know when they are ripe?<\/p>\n
You are looking for a deeper colour – they will change from pale yellow to a deep ochre shade when they are ripe.<\/p>\n
You should also notice a sweet smell if you sniff the fruit – this is a sign that it is getting ready.<\/p>\n
A little like mangoes, the fruit should feel firm and heavier than it looks – simply place a hand under one and gently weigh it.<\/p>\n
If you gently press on the end of the melon furthest from the stem, it should feel slightly soft – don\u2019t poke it too hard though!<\/p>\n
It should easily slip from the vine with a gentle tug. Make sure you are holding on to the bottom of it; they can be riper than you expect.<\/p>\n
If you have melons on the vine that do not meet these criteria, just leave them for a few days and check again – ripening can happen very quickly!<\/p>\n
How Big Do Banana Melons Get?<\/h2>\n
The fruits from this vine are bigger than you may expect, especially if the plant has been kept in its preferred conditions and the weather is good.<\/p>\n
They won\u2019t take the prize from a watermelon or a giant pumpkin, but you can definitely expect some decent sized produce from this plant.<\/p>\n
Each melon can reach up to 24 inches long<\/strong>, and can weigh between 5 and 8 pounds<\/strong>. Growing this melon is a worthwhile investment!<\/p>\nObviously, some fruits will be slightly bigger and some slightly smaller than this, but on average these melons can be a good size.<\/p>\n
The size of the banana melon fruit is also a sign of its readiness – as they ripen, they will continue to grow bigger until they\u2019re completely ready.<\/p>\n
Keeping the plant in the conditions it likes and ensuring that it gets plenty of sunlight is a good way to ensure the biggest, and best fruits.<\/p>\n
Do Melons Need A Lot Of Space?<\/h2>\n
If you have a tiny garden or you are planning to grow indoors, melons may not be your best bet – these are big plants that tend to spread and grow pretty large!<\/p>\n
When you are planting, you will need to place your melon plants up to 42 inches apart, to ensure they have enough room to spread.<\/p>\n
They will need to be staked up so that they can climb – these are large, spreading plants that need space to send out their vines.<\/p>\n
If you don\u2019t want to let them climb, they will be happy enough trailing along the ground – but again, they will need\u00a0 space to do so.<\/p>\n
You can grow melons in containers, but remember that they need a lot of space to trail and spread, so make sure you have the room for them to do this.<\/p>\n
What Does A Banana Melon Taste Like?<\/h2>\n
All melons have a different flavour and texture, don\u2019t they? A cantaloupe is different to a watermelon which is different to a honeydew, and all the others.<\/p>\n
A banana melon, as the name suggests, has a hint of the banana about it. It is not a banana though, so it won\u2019t taste exactly like one!<\/p>\n
People have described it as a cross between a cantaloupe and a regular melon, with the hint of banana flavour in the mix too.<\/p>\n
This type of melon is very sweet – there is not a hint of a sharp or tart flavour, as long as it is fully ripe.<\/p>\n
This video shows some people\u2019s experience of the taste of banana melons, plus it will also give you an idea of the size of this awesome fruit. You\u2019ll have to try it for yourself though!<\/p>\n