Random Melon growing

[NJGreenThumb]

Hello, I'm recently new to gardening and growing vegetables. I bought a yard of 75% organic topsoil from a local farm to use in my vegetable garden.

After a few weeks, I noticed a plant started growing that I did not transplant. It had leaves very similar to a pumpkin plant seedling, but after a few more weeks, it was clear this was no pumpkin.

At first I thought it was a gourd based on the shape (looked like an 8 ball squash). But later I noticed it couldn't be a squash because I had current squash bugs on my pumpkin vine leaves (also a random grow) and none on the other vine. Also, the leaves are shaped different and are smaller.

So the question is, what melon am I growing!? It looks like a honeydew, very round and smooth, with a green-yellow tinge. Its about 4 inches in diameter, and has been that size for about 2 weeks now. During this past week, I've noticed scratch-like marks on the outside, which I think I have heard indicates bee polination but Not 100% sure.

Can anyone help me Identify what little gem has appeared in my garden?

[ButterflyLady29]

Do you have pictures? That would help tremendously.

[applestar]

Melons are very often hybrids and this offspring from seeds perhaps in a compost pile might not grow true -recognizable- but yes, lets see what this looks like -- melon blossoms are tiny like cucumber blossoms BTW, an easy way to tell them apart from squash with the big yellow flowers.

[NJGreenThumb]

Here it is! I had to take the pic with flash on, the first one I took was too big in size and wouldn't upload, then it got dark out. Its less yellow than the picture shows

[NJGreenThumb]

Without flash

[applestar]

I didn't respond because I wasn't sure -- not much melon experience as I'm still finding it difficult to grow melons well.

It looks a bit like honeydew to me, too, but the scratch-like marks look more like "netting" that some varieties of melons undergo when they are becoming ripe.

Its been a while since you posted the photos -- has the scratch-like marks become more extensive? Have you noticed a distinct ripe melon aroma?

I think honeydew doesn't "slip" but if this is a volunteer, maybe it is a bee-crossed hybrid with a netting/cantaloupe-type that will slip from the vine when ripe -- check where the stem connects to the fruit -- do you see a dry line/callus developing?

[NJGreenThumb]

Here are a few pics from today. Hasn't got much bigger since last post

[JONA]

That looks more like either an Ogan or Gahlia melon to me.
The Ogen would have more lateral greenish stripes down it though...so I lean towards the Gahlia.