A few of you may have encountered some strange circles affecting the rinds of watermelons. The circles may vary in size and the area affected, but they still usually materially affect the appearance. This defect is caused by a virus, named the papaya ring spot virus.
Can you eat watermelon with swirls?
The patterns can be downright magical: Symmetrical swirls and curlicues amid gaps in the sweet, red flesh. To farmers, though, this kind of natural watermelon art—which goes by the name hollow heart—hurts. The fruit is perfectly edible, but a field with too many affected melons can be difficult to sell.
What does it mean if a watermelon has swirls inside?
Researchers at the University of Delaware have found that hollow hearts are mainly caused by inadequate pollination — the lack of enough pollen from pollinizer plants and trouble getting the pollen from its origin to the watermelon.
Is watermelon mosaic virus harmful to humans?
Are squash and melons affected by mosaic virus safe to eat? “Yes,” says Nebraska Food Safety Educator Carol Larvick, citing information from Minnesota Extension. “These viruses are specific to plants and do not harm humans.
How do you tell if a watermelon is bad when you cut it?
If the flesh of your watermelon is slimy, off-colored, foul-smelling, or growing something fuzzy, this means it has gone bad and should be thrown away (after being wrapped in layers of plastic bags to avoid stinking up the whole kitchen). These traits also apply to pre-cut and pre-packaged watermelon.
Is it safe to eat hollow heart watermelon?
Since watermelon hollow heart isn’t a disease, but rather a failure in the seed production process of your watermelons, the fruits are perfectly safe to eat. The lack of a center may make them hard to market though, and obviously, if you save seeds, this can be a real problem.
How can you tell if a watermelon has been injected?
Often injected watermelons will appear too red. You will feel redness and sweetness more than usual while cutting into it. Also, while reaching the middle, you will see a slightly burnt mark due to chemicals. In the first go, the watermelon may seem red and fresh, but it would be rotting.
Is it OK to eat overripe watermelon?
Is Overripe Watermelon Safe to Eat? When a watermelon gets too ripe for its own good, the juicy crisp texture of the flesh can turn gritty and dry. If you cut it open, you might see the flesh actually pulling away from the seeds. If your watermelon is mealy, it’s still safe to eat.
How can you tell if a watermelon is good inside?
Look for an orange creamy field spot. The darker yellow field spot usually means it was on the vine longer and is full of flavor. If the field spot is white that’s a sign that the melon is not quite ripe.
What should the inside of a watermelon look like?
Watermelon should have dark and light green alternating colors on the outside and a dark pink reddish inside when it is fresh. If the inside color looks dull you may want to check the other signs as well. Any signs of mold inside or outside are indicators that you should not eat it.
What does mosaic virus look like?
The typical symptoms of the mosaic virus include: Yellow, white or green stripes/ streaks/ spots on foliage. Wrinkled, curled, or small leaves. Pronounced yellowing only of veins.
Is mosaic virus contagious?
Like viruses that affect humans and animals, Mosaic virus is contagious and can be spread from plant to plant via insects, dirty hands and tools, infected pots and potting soil, and close proximity with other infected plants. If your monstera touches another surface infected with mosaic virus, it may become infected.
How long does mosaic virus stay in soil?
These investigations have shown that the virus may survive in soils for periods of 1 year or more, but that it is subject to relatively rapid inactivation under certain natural conditions.
What does a bad watermelon look like inside?
If it smells tangy or sour, toss it out. Then, slice open your melon and look for deep pink or red flesh inside. If yours is any other color, or if the flesh looks gritty or shriveled, throw the watermelon away!
What does overripe watermelon look like?
An over-ripe melon will have paler pink flesh, more a shell pink than hot pink. The rind may be greener, and the outside will be more splotchy or discolored. If there are any dark blotches, consider the melon over-ripe and choose another one.
What does under ripe watermelon look like?
Ground Spots and Sugar Spots
If you can’t find the ground spot, it’s likely that the melon was harvested too soon and didn’t have a chance to fully ripen. Or, if there is a ground spot but it’s more white than yellow, that is also an indication that it may have been picked from the vine too early.
Is watermelon OK for dogs?
Only give your dog seedless watermelon or pieces of watermelon from which you’ve removed all of the seeds. Scoop out the fruit with a melon baller or cut it into small bites, being careful to remove any part of the rind.
What causes white heart in watermelon?
Hollow heart and white heart are physiologically related pulp disorders. They occur as a result of environmental and growth stresses, including nutrition deficiencies. It is most common in watermelon, early on in the season, when conditions quickly alternate between wet and dry, or cold and warm.
What are the white lines in watermelon?
White heart is a disorder that can develop during the final stages of watermelon growth. With this disorder, white streaks appear throughout the flesh of the melon.
How can you tell if watermelon is adulterated?
If it is dry and of dark black or brown colour then it has naturally ripened. Adulterated watermelons may have a green stalk. Look for any injection or puncture marks on watermelon. Do not buy watermelons or any fruits during the offseason.
Do farmers inject sugar in watermelon?
Do you remember watermelons being as sweet when you were a kid as they are today? Some vendors are injecting sugared water into the fruit to make it sweeter, and heavier. “They’re also injecting red dyes to make the flesh look brighter,” says nutritionist Tripti Gupta. “These colours can be toxic and cause diseases.”