Picked with yellow bellies on watermelons?

Question

I've asked for advise about growing watermelon before and I got some good advise. I searched around and basically everyone suggest the same tips on picking the fruit. The question I have is does it have to be yellow underneath to be ripe? I think I've seen some store melons without the yellow belly. I put a board under the melon to stop the bottom from rotting on the ground. That was another tip by the way, but I'm sure it's ready to pick. I barely see any tendrils near the top that turn brown. It's a large melon, but it's not yellow underneath. I'm sure I can still pick it right? It's about 20 inches long and 27 inches in width.
How about the thick stem connected to the melon? It's a bit brown.
I have other melons coming. I hope watering daily or every other day is the right thing for them. Appreciate any help.

Answer 1

Do you remember when your watermelon started growing? You can count the days it's been growing. "Depending on the variety, 80 to 90 days is a good growing season for a watermelon,"

Watermelons at the peak of ripeness are normally filled out and blunt on the ends. Melons with pointy ends may still be maturing and not as delicious.

The tendrils should be BROWN when the melon is ripe.
That thick stem should be dry.
The melon should also have a melon-like smell.
http://www.webmd.com/food-recipes/fruit-of-the-month-watermelon?src=rss_psychtoday

You can try the thump test when you flick your fingers across the watermelon. ""An unripe watermelon will 'ping' when thumped. An overripe watermelon will 'thud.' The one you want is somewhere in between," The weight of the melon should seem heavy for its size.
http://www.purdue.edu/UNS/html4ever/000714.Egel.watermelon.html

Most sources say "Look for a creamy yellow mark on the belly or underside that shows where the melon rested on the ground. White and pale green bottoms mean that the watermelon was picked green."
http://www.todaysdietandnutrition.com/july07recipewatermelon.shtml

I'd wait a little longer if the tendril isn't brown yet, unless you counted the days & you know for sure that your watermelon has been on the vine long enough.

Good luck! Hope this helps.

Answer 2

from my experience the yellow underside is just because your watermelon wasn't turned to get sun on that side. I'd say if the stem is turning brown then it should be ready to pick, if not overripe.