All About Ripening

The maturity of honeydew melons at time of harvest is critical to the eating quality, as the sugar content of honeydew does not significantly increase after harvest. Conditioning or ripening these melons with ethylene will not make them sweeter; however there are benefits to ethylene exposure, including improved aroma, color and softening.

The degree of maturity will indicate whether the melon should be exposed to ethylene. Melons which are fully mature at harvest (with white surfaces, hard to springy blossom ends, skin with very little wax or fuzz) should not be treated with ethylene if they are to be stored for an extended period of time. Melons of minimum commercial maturity (well filled-out, have a white color with a greenish tint, blossom ends that are hard to firm, have no aroma and a skin that is not waxy but is slightly fuzzy) will benefit from a treatment of ethylene.

To begin ripening, bring honeydew pulp temperature to 68 - 77°F (20 - 25°C). Apply 100 ppm ethylene for 24-48 hours during the initial phase of the ripening cycle.

Carbon dioxide will build up during ripening. If no automatic ventilation system is in place, then be sure to vent the room approximately every 12 hours by opening the doors for 20 minutes even while applying ethylene. The actual CO₂ level must be kept below 1% for proper ripening.

Maintain humidity at 90% to prevent shrinkage during ripening.

Once melons lose most of their greenish tint, have no noticeable peel fuzz and emit an aroma, they are producing their own ethylene and no longer need external ethylene.

Melon storage temperature is dictated by the degree of ripeness:

• Unripe: 45 - 50°F (7.5 - 10°C)
• Slightly ripe: 41 - 45°F (5 – 7.5°C)
• Ripe: 36 - 41°F (2.5 - 5°C).

Note that storing less ripe fruits below 41°F (5°C) may result in chilling injury. If unsure about the degree of ripeness, store melons at the warmer temperature ranges to avoid chill damage.