IMG 7694- when the stem develops cracks it's ready.

Very interesting I was watching you tube about water melons a few weeks ago never to eat one if it is split in side.

Yes, I saw that too, 3d. It is an indication that certain additives in the water (forchlorfenuron) has been used to increase the size of the fruit. . It's a growth hormone that agribusiness in China uses to increase the size of the fruit but it's also said to produce some nasty side effects in the human gut.

You can also tell by taste and pips Lori as injected ones are tasteless as the injection does nt let them ripen as its when it's ripened it gets its sweetness and seeds are white inside.

Does this apply to watermelon as well?

It is common agricultural practice where intensive crop production makes it necessary to control the ripening of hundreds of watermelons for shipping great distances. The best way to get a good watermelon is to make sure there is a soil mark (sometimes it's a white patch on the side of the melon) ...that means it's ripened on a vine..in contact with soil..not on a truck or in a cargo plane after being injected.
Bottom line is... if you can, grow your own.
I'm so excited about these muxk melons... I may have to camp out in the garden to keep the critters at bey.