Title: The Reason for Soft Watermelons | Hunker
Headings: The Reason for Soft Watermelons
The Reason for Soft Watermelons
Over-ripeness
Disease
Bruises
Sun and Heat
Cyn Reed

Content: Disease
Gummy stem blight, a disease caused by a fungal pathogen, results in the formation of brown, soft, circular lesions on watermelon. The lesions may be 4 to 6 inches in diameter and may ooze. The disease requires fungicide applications for control. Blossom-end rot, a condition caused by calcium deficiency, results in the blossom end of the fruit turning from pale green to brown then black. The affected areas grow in size and develop sunken spots on the surface of the fruit. Liming the soil to increase calcium content, maintaining even soil moisture to enable the uptake of calcium by the plant's root system and foliar applications of calcium help manage this disease. Bruises
Rough handling, during harvest or transport, may cause watermelon to bruise, promoting soft spots, decay and a short shelf life. Refraining from tossing or pitching the fruits will help avoid injury; take care not to drop them. According to the University of Georgia, a drop as little as a distance of 8 inches can result in severe internal bruising, and a 1-foot drop can crack the flesh internally.